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"When it comes to crossing over invisible musical boundaries Sandy Asirvatham is an innovator."~Michael Buckley, THE CAPITAL (Annapolis MD)
“.she walks a fine line between singer/songwriter and jazz chanteuse with some Tin Pan Alley in the mix, smartly turning phrases and crafting peculiarly appealing melodies.poetic, personal lyrics richly underscored by her idiosyncratic piano playing and tasteful accompaniment.” ~John Lewis, BALTIMORE MAGAZINE
SUCCESFUL WRITER FOLLOWS NEW MUSE: JOURNALIST PICKS UP PEN IN SERVICE TO THE SONG
Sandy Asirvatham’s new creations feature jazz infused with prose.
At the end of the millennium, Sandy Asirvatham (ah-sur-VA-thum) was a successful journalist, a popular and provocative columnist for Baltimore’s City Paper, and author of nonfiction books for teens. Her newest creations, however, are original jazz songs.
Armed with an MFA in fiction writing from Columbia University, Sandy was freelancing from home and trying to complete a novel. Instead, she found herself gravitating to the piano.
Hours passed as she sat alone playing and belting out show tunes and pop songs, yearning for an uncertain future. (When would she be able to start a family? Why couldn’t she get past page 150 of her novel?)
Although it had been years since her classical piano studies, music became the center of her creative life. Jazz studies at Towson University and two stints at jazz camp helped her update her skills and jump into a league of top rated musicians. She was soon composing and arranging instrumental music.
Family life anchored Sandy's creative endeavors. When she and her husband adopted a baby in 2003, lullabies were added to her daily musical repertoire. The act of singing simple rhymes to son Miles emboldened her to put her own words to music.
By 2006, she had entered a prolific period writing original jazz-inflected songs for grownups.
Today she is a respected jazz pianist, arranger and composer, and her storytelling skills enliven her original songs. Her highly rhythmic and idiosyncratic melodies and lyrics channel some of the darker emotions and brooding thoughts leftover from the sadder times in her life. But she presents them with the light and joyful approach of the mature artist who has learned to make her way in a turbulent world.
Sandy feels incredibly lucky to have found her true calling. She was raised in New Jersey by two physicians, both born in India. The exceedingly practical couple tried mightily to steer their two daughters into math and science.
Sandy attended the Newark Academy in Livingston. All the art, dance and music lessons she received were meant to round her out and prevent idle hands. Today, though, her parents can hardly argue with her current success at doing what she loves.
In the past five years, she has performed often, leaving a strong impression wherever she appears. Busy with club, concert and festival dates in many cities, her sidemen (and women!) have included heavy hitters from the jazz world, such as bassist Amy Shook, drummer Frank Russo, and trombonist Jim McFalls. Her 2007 album was well received, and audiences are coming out in strong numbers to hear what else this artist has to say.
For more info check out her website at www.sandysmemoir.com.
All tracks above were written & arranged by Sandy (piano, voice, synth). The band: Frank Russo drums & perc, Amy Shook bass & violin/viola, Dani Cortaza acoustic guitar, Chris Kennedy electric guitars, Jim McFalls trombone, Tom Williams Jr. trumpet.
Photo above (c) 2006 Brian J. Berman/Rocktography Visuals. Profile photo (c) 2008 Alexandra Bull/StairStep Kids Photography
