**606 Club Special** Sandy Cressman at 606 Club

The pairing of Brazilian music with jazz became widely (and wildly!) popular in the 1960’s and is now an established part of the broader jazz repertoire. Here at the 606 we’ve always savoured the flavour of both Latin and Brazilian jazz as is evident from the many superb exponents of the style who perform here, including Neil Angilley, Davide Giovannini, Liliana Chachian, Jandira Silva and our own Steve Rubie. So it is a special treat to welcome San Francisco-based vocalist Sandy Cressman’s “Homenagem Brasileira” (“Homage to Brazil”) as she performs at the 606 for this first time. Born in New York City, Sandy initially was recognized for her work with the award-winning vocal trio, Pastiche, with whom she recorded three CD’s. However, she also had a burgeoning love of Brazilian music, which was first sparked when studying vocal jazz at university and was introduced to the music of Ivan Lins. Soon, Sandy began exploring the music of other Brazilian composers and learned Portuguese. In 1996, Cressman began performing as a duo with Brazilian master keyboardist Marcos Silva, and in 1999, released “Homenagem Brasileira”, their critically acclaimed tribute to the great composers and performers of Brazilian Jazz. In 2005 Sandy released another recording, "Brasil-Sempre no Coração", and has since collaborated with many important contemporary Brazilian musicians, including Jovino Santos Neto, Weber Iago and Dani & Debora Gurgel. Cressman also collaborates regularly with Latin jazz guitarist and composer Ray Obiedo in their group “Mistura Fina”, which combines Brazilian, Latin and Caribbean jazz styles. She is currently recording her upcoming release, to be titled “Entre Amigos”, and has performed her eclectic Brazilian repertoire at festivals and concert venues in the US, the UK, France, Austria, Switzerland and Germany. In 2015, Sandy was a featured guest at the Main Stage of Carnival in Recife, Brazil. An Adjunct Professor at the California Jazz Conservatory, Sandy is also an in-demand vocal coach & instructor, teaching workshops in Vocal Jazz, Brazilian Music, and the vocal technique she created, ConnectedVoice. For this inaugural 606 date, she will be joined on the bandstand by premier players on the UK scene, including pianist John Crawford, whose CV includes work with the likes of Latin legends Airto Moreira, Giovanni Hidalgo, Eumir Deodato, Frankie Morales (Tito Puente’s last singer), as well as UK based artists such as Snowboy, Guida da Palma’s Jazzinho, Negrocan, Roberto Pla, Robin Jones, Samara and Viramundo. John’s latest, quite brilliant, CD “Ulia River of Time” was nominated for ‘Best Jazz Recording’ in the 2013 Independent Music Awards. Also on the gig will be flautist, composer & arranger Gareth Lockrane, named “Rising Star on Flute” in the prestigious 2008 Downbeat Critics Poll (USA) & leader of his own group “Grooveyard” as well as his acclaimed Big Band; bassist Matheus Nova (Jandira Silva, Antonio Forcione) & drummer Tristan Maillot (Dave O’Higgins, Anita Wardell)....

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The pairing of Brazilian music with jazz became widely (and wildly!) popular in the 1960’s and is now an established part of the broader jazz repertoire. Here at the 606 we’ve always savoured the flavour of both Latin and Brazilian jazz as is evident from the many superb exponents of the style who perform here, including Neil Angilley, Davide Giovannini, Liliana Chachian, Jandira Silva and our own Steve Rubie. So it is a special treat to welcome San Francisco-based vocalist Sandy Cressman’s “Homenagem Brasileira” (“Homage to Brazil”) as she performs at the 606 for this first time. Born in New York City, Sandy initially was recognized for her work with the award-winning vocal trio, Pastiche, with whom she recorded three CD’s. However, she also had a burgeoning love of Brazilian music, which was first sparked when studying vocal jazz at university and was introduced to the music of Ivan Lins. Soon, Sandy began exploring the music of other Brazilian composers and learned Portuguese. In 1996, Cressman began performing as a duo with Brazilian master keyboardist Marcos Silva, and in 1999, released “Homenagem Brasileira”, their critically acclaimed tribute to the great composers and performers of Brazilian Jazz. In 2005 Sandy released another recording, "Brasil-Sempre no Coração", and has since collaborated with many important contemporary Brazilian musicians, including Jovino Santos Neto, Weber Iago and Dani & Debora Gurgel. Cressman also collaborates regularly with Latin jazz guitarist and composer Ray Obiedo in their group “Mistura Fina”, which combines Brazilian, Latin and Caribbean jazz styles. She is currently recording her upcoming release, to be titled “Entre Amigos”, and has performed her eclectic Brazilian repertoire at festivals and concert venues in the US, the UK, France, Austria, Switzerland and Germany. In 2015, Sandy was a featured guest at the Main Stage of Carnival in Recife, Brazil. An Adjunct Professor at the California Jazz Conservatory, Sandy is also an in-demand vocal coach & instructor, teaching workshops in Vocal Jazz, Brazilian Music, and the vocal technique she created, ConnectedVoice. For this inaugural 606 date, she will be joined on the bandstand by premier players on the UK scene, including pianist John Crawford, whose CV includes work with the likes of Latin legends Airto Moreira, Giovanni Hidalgo, Eumir Deodato, Frankie Morales (Tito Puente’s last singer), as well as UK based artists such as Snowboy, Guida da Palma’s Jazzinho, Negrocan, Roberto Pla, Robin Jones, Samara and Viramundo. John’s latest, quite brilliant, CD “Ulia River of Time” was nominated for ‘Best Jazz Recording’ in the 2013 Independent Music Awards. Also on the gig will be flautist, composer & arranger Gareth Lockrane, named “Rising Star on Flute” in the prestigious 2008 Downbeat Critics Poll (USA) & leader of his own group “Grooveyard” as well as his acclaimed Big Band; bassist Matheus Nova (Jandira Silva, Antonio Forcione) & drummer Tristan Maillot (Dave O’Higgins, Anita Wardell).

"Cressman's 'Homenagem Brasileira' (Homage to Brazil) is a cool shower of interpretive works that showcases the warmly superb and crystalline voice of this emerging diva." Latin Beat Magazine;
"Sandy Cressman's beautiful interpretation of the music of my country has made my ears and my heart very happy. After decades of listening to countless American singers rehash the same 5 or 6 tunes over and over, it is indeed a breath of fresh air to hear someone who is not afraid to try something new” Jovino Santos Neto, pianist/Professor of Music, Cornish Institute of the Arts;
“With pianist John Crawford on hand, there is so much style and imagination” Jazz Review;
“Lockrane’s flute work is exceptional, combining a relaxed fluidity with an acute adventurousness…very special indeed” Jazzwise

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