“säje is blazing a new trail for female composers and performers in the jazz world.” –Forbes
The Grammy-winning vocal supergroup, säje (rhymes with “beige”) is the brainchild of vocalist/composers Sara Gazarek, Amanda Taylor, Johnaye Kendrick, and Erin Bentlage. Born out of close friendship and deep admiration, these world-renowned artists, composers, and arrangers have come together to explore, create, and celebrate the music that moves them. As individuals, each artist has crafted their own notable solo career, and now are delighted to bring their collective voices to this union, traversing a vast array of compelling original material, beloved jazz standards, and re-imaginings of contemporary hits.
After debuting an inspiring and energized set at the 2020 Jazz Education Network Conference in New Orleans, säje went on to tour multiple jazz festivals and clubs from January to March. During quarantine, säje received their first Grammy nomination, in the Best New Arrangement Instruments and Vocals category, for their composition “Desert Song.” They were awarded the John Lennon Songwriting Contest Grand Prize Award for “Wisteria,” as well as their first Jazz Journalists Association Award Nomination for “Best Vocal Jazz Group.” The collective also recently received support for their continued work through the Chamber Music of America New Jazz Works grant, the Super Patron Grant, the Jazz Road Creative Residencies grant, and the USC Visions + Voices grant. Their highly anticipated debut album was released in August. It features new original work and compelling covers, highlighting collaborations with artists Jacob Collier, Terri Lyne Carrington, Ambrose Akinmusire, and more. The union of säje is rooted in the tradition of joy, curiosity, lush harmony, heart-felt expression, and profound sisterhood.
