Sachal Vasandani

Sachal Vasandani is recognized for his singular voice, with a tone and unique phrasing that mark him as one of the most compelling artists on the scene today.

Thoroughly rooted in jazz, Sachal has the swagger to front the most swinging big bands and the vulnerability to present definitive takes of classic ballads. His deeply creative approach to improvisation across lyrics, melodic changes and time signatures is always soulful, and he has come to be regarded as one of the eminent vocal improvisers of his generation.???

Sachal’s 2018 release, Shadow Train (GSI), celebrates twin themes of romance and respect with an open spirit. Songs like Abbey Lincoln’s “Throw it Away” highlight this: Sachal’s performance is equal parts virility and empathy. The Nat “King” Cole classic, Unforgettable, is honored with a spare, haunting style, and is revered by listeners with nearly a million streams across platforms since its release in 2019.

Best Life Now

By Sachal Vasandani

Label: Self Produced
Released: 2025
Track listing: Best Life Now; Call Me (feat. Dayna Stephens); Right On Time (feat. Gretchen Parlato); Stay A Little Bit Longer; Incredible Kindness; Don't Give Up On Me; What's New; Tyrannosaur; Sometimes I Miss (feat. Nate Smith); Too Easy; Blame Love.

Nasheet Waits, Sasha Berliner, Nels Cline and the Premazzi-Nasser Quartet!

by Hobart Taylor
May 14, 2025

This week's show features the intricate melodies of the Premazzi-Nasser Quartet, new music from guitarist Rez Abbasi, Sasha Berliner, Norwegian trumpeter Arve Henriksen and the latest from Nasheet Waits. Playlist Premazzi-Nasser Quartet “Raoul Blues" from From What I Recall (OA2) 0:00 Nasheet Waits “Snake Hip Waltz" from New York Love Letter (Bitter Sweet) (Giant ...

Ashley Jackson, Reginald Cyntje, Kevin Sun, Fred Moten and Brandon Lopez

by Cheryl K.
April 10, 2025

During this week's two-hour program of Jazz and improvised music, new music from harpist Ashley Jackson, trombonist Reginald Cyntje, vocalists Jackie Myers and Brittany Davis, two picks for Record Story Day (RSD), two selections from saxophonist Kevin Sun, and poet Don Paul. Playlist Gerry Mulligan “My Old Flame" from The Complete Pacific Jazz Recordings ...

Natalie Cole, Michael Stephenson, Brianna Thomas, Nicolas Bearde And More

by Jua Howard
February 23, 2025

Greetings Music Family! It's time for another episode of the “First Instrument Jazz Show"! I've got a lot of timeless music in store, as usual, including from Natalie Cole, Nicolas Bearde, Brianna Thomas, Michael Stephenson, Sheila Jordan, George Benson and many more. Come get lost in the music with me! Playlist Intro 00:00 Natalie ...

Sullivan Fortner, Gabriele Comeglio, Nour Symon, Volker Meitz

by Cheryl K.
February 14, 2025

During this week's two-hour program of Jazz and improvised music, cuts from new releases by harpist Ashley Jackson; pianist Sullivan Fortner; Julia H��lsmann; saxophonist Gabriele Comeglio; multidisciplinary artist Nour Symon; vocalist Eugenie Jones; keyboardist Volker Meitz; and saxophonist Lucious Crawford. Playlist Archie Shepp “Invocation: Ballad for a Child" from Attica Blues (Impulse!) :30 Archie ...

Yulia Musayelyan, Rebecca Coupe Franks Plus Vocalists Eugenie Jones, Claire Martin, Marianne Solivan

by Mary Foster Conklin
January 27, 2025

This broadcast includes new releases from Yulia Musayelyan, Rebecca Coupe Franks, Eugenie Jones, Claire Martin, Marianne Solivan} and {{Chloe Youtsey, with birthday shoutouts to Melba Liston, Danny Bacher, Kris Davis, Sade, Chelsea McBride, Andrea Wolper, Tina Raymond, Peter Eldridge, Nicole Zuraitis, Joan Baez and Eartha Kitt, among others. Happy listening and please support the artists you ...

Michael Mayo, Mary Stallings, Kurt Elling and More

by Jua Howard
September 30, 2024

Welcome Music Family! It's time for another episode of the “First Instrument Jazz Show"! As usual, I've got a great show in store for you including a lot of new music from Kurt Elling, Michael Mayo, Jocelyn Gould, Sachal Vasandani, and Samara Joy; and plenty more timeless music from artists such as Mary Stallings, Laurie Antonioli, ...

Take 6, Shirley Horn, Zara McFarlane and More

by Jua Howard
July 7, 2024

Welcome Music Family! I've got a great show in store for you this week including new music Zara McFarlane, Alexis Cole, Queen Esther and April Varner; and plenty more timeless music from artists such as Shirley Horn, Nicolas Bearde, Dara Tuckerand Take 6. Come get lost in the music with me!Playlist Intro 00:00 Nancy ...

Jazz Honors The Beatles

by AAJ Staff
April 13, 2023

All About Jazz is honoring The Fab Four in the year of the 60th anniversary of the release of their first album (Please Please Me). This collective tribute was originally published in September 2009--as a living document, we'll add more quotes & stories over time (see how-to in comments section). We also compiled a companion playlist ...