Sarah Jarosz - vocals, mandolin, clawhammer banjo, guitar, piano
Influences
Tim O'Brien, Mike Marshall, Chris Thile, Punch Brothers, Darrell Scott, The Beatles, Stuart Duncan, Stevie Wonder, Abigail Washburn, Ben Sollee, Hamilton de Holanda, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, Nickel Creek, Sara Watkins, Sean Watkins, Hot Rize, Casey Driessen, Wilco, Jeff Tweedy, Uncle Earl, The Infamous Stringdusters, The Greencards, Aoife O'Donovan, Crooked Still, The Decemberists, Colin Meloy, John Cowan, Vince Gill, Terri Hendrix, Lloyd Maines, Mollie O'Brien, U2, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Beck, Psychograss, Blue Highway, Noam Pikelny, Reeltime Travelers, Martha Scanlan, Edgar Meyer, Jerry Douglas, Tony Trischka, David Grisman Quintet, The Red Stick Ramblers, Tony Rice, Old Crow Medicine Show, Bob Dylan, John Mayer, Elvis Perkins, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, Stuff Smith, Cat Stevens, Paul Simon, Counting Crows, The Duhks, The Del McCoury Band, Neil Young, Dirk Powell, Peter Rowan, Vassar Clements, Doc Watson, Sting, Prince, Gnarls Barkley, Ray Charles, John Hartford, Joni Mitchell, John Prine, Bill Withers, Dolly Parton, James Taylor, Kate Rusby, Regina Spektor, Bruce Hornsby, The Kruger Brothers, Darol Anger, Mike Compton, David Grier, Mark O'Connor, New Grange, Pete Wernick, Sam Bush, David Grisman, Bryan Sutton, Byron House, Todd Phillips, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Kim Fox, New Grass Revival, Shawn Colvin, Bruce Cockburn, Dave Matthews, Death Cab for Cutie, Ben Gibbard,Jackson Browne, John Fogerty, Dan Fogelberg, Mark Schatz, Scott Nygaard, Rob Ickes, Tim Stafford, The Nashville Bluegrass Band, Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, Patty Griffin, James McMurtry, Willie Nelson, The Dixie Chicks, Woody Guthrie, Billy Bright, Mike Bond, Bernard Mollberg, Diana Riepe, Zoltan Kodaly, and so many more.
"Sarah Jarosz emerged on the scene about five years ago as someone to watch. Jamming onstage with bluegrass icons named Grisman or Skaggs, she played her mandolin with a sure touch and real joy. It looked and sounded comfortable in her twelve-year-old hands. She started writing songs on the guitar, took up the banjo, and won a bunch of awards. While her instrumental talents are formidable, let's make one thing clear: Sarah is a singer. She's just flat got it. Her voice is velvety smooth, agile, and powerful. With subtle use of colors and effects, she inhabits her songs the way a fine actress does her role. Overall, her music feels good, avoids over reaching. Nothing's contrived.
About to graduate from high school, Sarah is that rare, self-possessed teenager. Her schoolteacher parents have raised her well, providing the skills, support, and freedom to become the confident artist that she is. Beautiful, talented, and just a little mysterious in a wholesome, Texas hill country kinda way, Sarah is at home in this world. She knows what she's about and is ready to get out there and make her mark.
Playing a short cameo set with her a few years ago at Telluride, I heard that voice ring out over the crowd. It was thrilling. Lots of folks backstage already knew her; now the audience got to find out. With the release of this debut recording, and appearances on festival stages this summer, Sarah will reach many more fans of what's real and true in music. "Song Up In Her Head" features a mix of her new-old-timey ballads, and some rocking covers. Her collaborators include her teenaged peers and well-known veterans of the acoustic scene. It's an impressive coming out party, a survey of where she's been so far, and a good indicator of where she's headed. It's just going to get better from here, and I can't wait to see how the Sarah Jarosz story unfolds." -Tim O'Brien
Last week at Johnny D's and last night at the Lizard Lounge were 'Kodak - Hallmark' memorable moments for me. It was pretty special getting to listen to you. I could very much feel the passion you have for music and performing and it is a treat to discover and connect with someone as refreshingly genuine.
It is truly an honor to be your friend Sarah. I am happy to have been able to help you at both shows and look forward to many more. You have a real gift and I could not be more in awe. Boston is very lucky to have you!!!
Thanks, Sarah! I love your CD, it's playing non-stop ever since I got it. Hope to see you here in Germany sometime!! Any European tour plans?? Keep the good stuff coming!
Just heard "Edge of a Dream" on WAMU and figured I'd stop by and tell you how much I enjoyed it!!! It made me stop what I was doin, slow down, and listen! Truly beautiful!
