Biography
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 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 exceeding 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.
*****
PRAISE FOR SANDY'S CD AND LIVE PERFORMANCE
Sandy Asirvatham’s 2007 CD, MEMOIR, attracted attention from Baltimore to Manhattan. Critic and historian W. Royal Stokes named it as his choice for the year’s best jazz debut in the annual Village Voice poll. The eclectic recording contains nine originals and three freshly reconceived standards, including a haunting rendition of the gospel classic “Motherless Child.” Tracks range from introspective solo piano/voice performances to kinetic full-band arrangements.
Thought-provoking lyrics are framed in jazz harmonies and enlivened with rock, funk and folk grooves. She may appeal to listeners of unique artists like Fiona Apple, and genre -transcending jazz singers like Madeleine Peyroux and Cassandra Wilson. But make no mistake: Sandy Asirvatham has an unforgettable and distinct sound of her own.
“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.”
~John Lewis, Baltimore Magazine
“Sandy opened with her sinuous, haunting solo arrangement of “Black Orpheus,” its intriguing melodic and harmonic variations held together by a steady tango-like left hand rhythm…
~Liz Fixsen, Baltimore Jazz Alliance
“What is most engaging for me as an instrumentalist is the surprisingly wide palette of timbres and emotional depth Sandy brings to her music. She is a JOY to work with!”
~Jim McFalls, trombonist and jazz educator
*****
MEDIA INTERVIEWS AND REVIEWS:
Liz Fixsen, “Sandy Asirvatham and Amanda Olsavsky,” Baltimore Jazz Alliance review, December 2008
Sam Sessa “Baltimore Unsigned,” WTMD 89.7 FM, Towson MD, November 2008
Doc Manning, “In the Tradition,” WEAA 88.9 FM, Baltimore, November 2008
Sam Sessa, “ Meet the Band,” The Baltimore Sun, November 2008
Aaron Henkin, “The Signal,” WYPR 88.1 FM Baltimore MD, September 2007
John Lewis, “Play It,” Baltimore Magazine, July 2007
Jenny Wierschem, “She’s Happy For The Right To Sing The Blues,” Baltimore Guide, July 2005
*****
PAST APPEARANCES IN THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION:
An Die Musik
Artscape 2008
Avalon Ballroom
Baltimore Unsigned, WTMD 89.7 FM
Café Europa
Center Stage, Stoop Storytelling Series
Chesapeake Arts Center
Chevy Chase Ballroom
Democratic Club of Fells Point
Federal Hill Streetbeat Festival
49 West Cafe
Grayghost Vineyard
Howard Community College
Jazz on the Portico Series at Riversdale House Jazzway 6004
Meyerhoff Symphony Hall,
2005 Billie Holiday Competition
Morningside House
National Building Museum, Washington DC
Oella Community Center
Patterson Park Summer Concert Series
Peabody Conservatory,
Elder Hostel Performances
Plainpath Farm Annual Benefit for the
Loudon County VA chapter Amnesty International Riverside Park Summer Concert Series
Sly Fox Pub
Stonefish Grill in Rockville
Tabrizi's Restaurant
Taste of Waverly Festival
Towson University
Instrumentation
Sandy Asirvatham (ah-sur-VA-thum): piano and vocals
Frank Russo: drums & percussion
Amy Shook: bass, violin, viola
Jim McFalls: trombone
Tom Williams: trumpet
Chris Kennedy: guitar
Dani Cortaza: latin guitar
Discography
MEMOIR is now available for purchase at www.cdbaby.com and www.itunes.com as well as other online retailers. Full versions of all songs can be streamed at www.sandysmemoir.com.
Sandy has a solid CD's worth of new original material she now plays live and intends to record in early 2009.
Links
| http://www.sandysmemoir.com |
| Sam Sessa interview with Sandy, BMag |
| WYPR's THE SIGNAL radio interview with Sandy |
| Sandy's MySpace |