On her debut CD, "Illuminations", Sarah Jerrom has created a piece of work has generated a lot of attention for its originality and musicianship. The recording is self-produced and was recorded in Toronto in August of 2006. Sarah has arranged much of the material and also surrounded herself with a compliment of top-flight musicians, including Stu Harrison and Jamie Reynolds on piano, Harley Card on electric and acoustic guitar, Mark McIntyre on bass, David MacDougall on drums, Mike Murley on tenor sax, Alison Young on alto saxophone, Rebecca Hennessy on trumpet & fluegelhorn, and Joel Green on trombone. "Illuminations" also features a string quartet on Sarah's arrangements of the Josefine Cronholm composition, "Wild Garden". The album was released in March 2007 to critical acclaim and continues to receive airplay at local and national radio stations, as well as jazz stations in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Denmark, France, and Argentina.
Highlights of "Illuminations" include a contemporary, lilting and slightly mysterious version of the Hoagy Carmichael/Johnny Mercer classic “Skylark”, replete with masterful and harmonically complex solos by Mike Murley and Jamie Reynolds; a funky, vocally challenging take on Brad Mehldau’s “Dusty Nugget” (with original lyrics by Sarah); Sarah’s original title track, “Illuminations”, which showcases her crystalline-pure pitch and technical control; Strayhorn’s immortal “Lush Life” done here as an evocative and moving piano/voice duo featuring Stu Harrison; a snappy and swinging take on Rodgers & Hart’s “Do it the Hard Way”; a pristine, classic and uncluttered version of Benny Goodman’s “Stompin’ at the Savoy”, featuring synchronistic rhythm section solos; the modern and haunting “Wild Garden” (Josefine Cronholm) with a lush, contrapuntal string arrangement by Sarah; a Neil Young-inspired perspective on Don Gibson's “Oh Lonesome Me” and the final track on the CD, “Heather on the Hill” - the radiant Lerner & Loewe classic from their hit Broadway show, “Brigadoon”.
ABOUT SARAH...
Sarah Jerrom is a Toronto-based vocalist, composer, arranger and improviser. A graduate of the University of Toronto's jazz performance program, Sarah has had the opportunity to study with some of the most in-demand musicians in Canada, including Heather Bambrick, Christine Duncan, Mike Murley, Kirk MacDonald, Terry Promane, Paul Read, Phil Nimmons and Kevin Turcotte. Sarah's eclectic tastes have led to her development of material that embraces traditional jazz standards, contemporary original compositions and jazz-inspired arrangements of contemporary songs. Her 2007 debut album, "Illuminations", continues to receive local (CFRB, CIUT, CKLN), national (CBC) and international (BBC) radio airplay, and widespread media attention. Recently, Sarah attended the 2008 Banff International Program for Jazz and Creative Music, under the direction of Dave Douglas.
Sarah frequently performs in Toronto as a leader and sideperson with several projects that include jazz, original music, experimental jazz, country, and Irish music. She has performed at well-known Toronto jazz clubs, "The Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar", "Lula Lounge", the now legendary "Montreal Bistro & Jazz Club", and "Gate 403", and in various concert venues, including the Mississauga Living Arts Center and the Dofasco Center for the Arts. She has had the privilege of performing with jazz greats Ingrid Jensen, Christine Jensen, Prasanna, Dave Young, Melissa Stylianou, David Occhipinti and Kevin Turcotte. Sarah has also entertained at the 2008 Lakefield Jazz Festival, the 2007 and 2008 TD Canada Trust Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival, and the 2003 International Association for Jazz Education annual conference in Toronto.
REVIEWS:
IAJE Canada Newsletter ”CD Reviews”
Volume 12 Number 2, Fall 2007
Sarah Jerrom - Illuminations
“Diverse and sophisticated are two words that repeatedly come to mind when listening to Toronto-based vocalist Sarah Jerrom's debut album, Illuminations. Diversity is perhaps most apparent in song selection; tried and tune tunes such as “Skylark” and “Lush Life” find a place among offerings written by country stalwart Don Gibson and by more contemporary artists such as Brad Mehldau (to whose music Jerrom provides lyrics), Swedish jazz vocalist Josefine Cronholm, and Jerrom herself. Each tune seems equally at home here, and this owes largely to the infusion of Jerrom's sophisticated touch as an arranger.
Harmonically compelling, with creative and engaging accents, Jerrom sets a personal touch on these tunes. This skill is particularly evident in her treatment of Gibson's “Oh Lonesome Me”, where, with a mix of horns and acoustic guitar, she makes it her own- with a tip of the hat to Neil Young's treatment of the same tune. Diversity also comes to mind when speaking of the album's orchestration. From the duo format of “Lush Life” to the 9-piece ensemble- complete with strings- that performs Cronholm's “Wild Garden”, Jerrom is not afraid to explore a variety of timbres and moods. The album benefits greatly from this willingness to explore, as Jerrom orchestrates the album in a manner that coaxes the most from each tune.
Sophistication is again evident on the part of the musicians appearing on this album. Jerrom's rhythm section performs deftly throughout much of the album, and is in particularly fine form on “Stompin' at the Savoy”. They underpin each song with a concise and refined style that is perfectly suited to this music. Saxophonist Mike Murley is stellar throughout the album, and the band as a whole, in its various permutations, shines. This is a strong album that will leave you eager to hear more.”
- Justin Litun - IAJE Canada Newsletter
A Web of Fine Music ”Mike's Picks”
Nov. 3, 2007
Sarah Jerrom - Illuminations
“Back in March, St. Catharines ' own Sarah Jerrom launched her self-produced debut CD titled “Illuminations” in Toronto and in her home town. The local performance at her alma mater, Laura Secord Secondary School , brought the house down. Sarah is young, as can be heard in her voice, but the talent is great and she surrounds herself with some tremendous young talent, most of whom also appear on the CD. The material ranges from original compositions including the title track to such jazz classics as “Skylark” and “Stompin' at the Savoy”. Contemporary with a connection to the jazz masters who went before her, Sarah shows great promise and will be a talent to watch in the future.”
- Mike Saunders - A Web of Fine Music, CKTB Radio
O's Place Jazz Newsletter ”O's Place Review”
Summer Issue 13.2
Sarah Jerrom - Illuminations (3/4)
”Sarah's voice is natural and uncolored. It works well with this band, whether it's the large ensemble on “Oh Lonesome Me” or a simple duet with pianist Stu Harrison on “Lush Life”. These are daring arrangements that capture the imagination and Jerrom pushes blue vocal tones on them as well to make it an interesting palate. Among the best is “Stompin' At The Savoy” which opens with a cool bass solo from Mark McIntyre and strong guitar work from Harley Card.”
- D. Oscar Groomes - O's Place Jazz Newsletter
The Toronto Star ”What's On Disc - Jazz”
April 5, 2007
Sarah Jerrom - Illuminations (3/4)
“Sarah Jerrom, a U of T jazz program grad, takes risks. Sweet and clear tones in high registers are one of her ten-cut album strengths, alongside using her own lyrics, arranging songs and recruiting talented young colleagues. She draws from musical theatre, standards and jazz chestnuts, making an appealing job of most though her vocalese needs work and the high soprano should come down sometimes. She wrote the smart title track, there's a good take on “Angel Eyes” and a droll “Oh Lonesome Me”. Top track: a really interesting “Wild Garden” (by Sweden's Josefine Cronholm) with neat band solos and a string quartet as a bonus.”
- Geoff Chapman - The Toronto Star
MEDIA QUOTES:
“We really love (Sarah's) stunning sophisticated jazz... the style is powerful, stirring yet gentle and very subtle. The choice of material is marvelous and gels together into a lush sound that has you wanting more, and our audiences most certainly will love her sound. It certainly struck us a an extraordinary CD- one that will be very well received by our astute audience. (Sarah's) feel and experience is evident and shows in a very confident way. I would say the word that kept coming to mind was `sophisticated'.”
- Peter Merrett - Programming Director, PBS 106-7FM Melbourne, Australia
“Illumination, that's the word I was looking for when I heard Sarah Jerrom's music on her CD. Sarah has that voice quality that stands out among the others. A voice that grabs your attention. This is a CD that needs to be in your collection...”
Leon Reyes - KVMR Radio 89.5 FM Nevada City/Sacramento, California Host: Leon's Jazz In A Box
“An extremely talented and well versed vocalist, Sarah's on the ground training shows through and has made her more than a capable artist. Jazz is in excellent hands with the likes of Sarah.”
Tony Bates - Highlands 100.7FM, Australia
“The beautifully honed skills of both singer and composer are totally evident on Sarah Jerrom's “Illuminations”. Let me say right up front that I love it. Sarah tackles a bunch of great standards with panache and throws a couple of interesting originals into the mix. Neither is Sarah any slouch with her arrangements. Several of my favourites get the Jerrom treatment. “Lush Life” does it for me (not forgetting Nat Cole), along with “Angel Eyes” and “Stompin' at the Savoy'”. Don Gibson's great song “Oh Lonesome Me” is a standout and “Heather On The Hill” takes me straight back to the village of Brigadoon. “Illuminations” has certainly found a spot on my “Jazz Infusions' playlist.”
Robin Elks - 2TENFM 89.7 and 98.7 Tenterfield, Australia Host: Robin On The Radio
“Great album. Fantastic stuff for our radio station.”
Alex Pijnen - BRTO Radio, Netherlands
“(Sarah) is equipped with a lovely voice and a go-get-em attitude”
Ashante Infantry ��” The Toronto Star ”The Jazz A List”, April 25, 2006
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