Sarah Siddiqui

WHAT THE PEOPLE ARE SAYING:

"Sounds Great!" ---- BILLY JOEL (Oct. 2013 @ The Bitter End, NYC)

"Sarah Siddiqui is truly dedicated to her craft. She's both an excellent... writer and performer and a pleasure to work with. Watch out for this girl!"

----DAVID NEWFELD (Producer of BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE. Sarah is featured on Chikita Violenta album, produced by D. Newfeld, featuring Kevin Drew from BSS) http://davidnewfeld.com/


“You have a stunning Voice!”

—DAHMNAIT DOYLE (2007 Siddiqui opened up for SHAYE @ York University)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5AvMwgH-GY


"Thank you for your performance"

---VALERIE SIMPSON of ASHFORD & SIMPSON (Oct. 2013 @ Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar. Sarah played an impromptu set at their bar) www.valeriesimpson.net


"You have a beautiful voice..."

---TERENCE HOWARD (Actor, Crash, Soul Food, The Butler)
http://www.biography.com/people/terrence-howard-21110545#career-success (Sarah jammed with Terence Howard on the set of Soul Food while filming in Toronto in 2003) -

BIOGRAPHY:

One of Sarah's first gig was as a backing vocalist at the age of 16 for Loveson rock band based out of the UK. She sang with Loveson in Toronto at the Opera House. At age 15 she started circuiting the Toronto venues singing her originals with various guitarists including flamenco guitarist Juan Dino Toledo, until she taught herself guitar.

At the tender age of 17, Sarah Siddiqui at the time, was managed briefly by Zack Werner (Canadian Idol/ Esthero) after watching her sing her original songs at Freetimes Café in 1998, Zack took Sarah under his wing, leading her to meet EMI Publishing Canada President at the time, Michael McCarty. Thereafter, Sarah was flown to Vancouver, B.C. to write with an EMI Publishing songwriter. Shortly after Sarah decided that she had to carve out her own path and develop her sound on her own without label support.

Sarah Siddiqui has shared the stage with many prominent Canadian acts: Shaye (Dahmnait Doyle, Kim Stockwood, Tara McLean), Chris Brown & Kate Fenner (NYC), Taima (Aboriginal Juno Winners), Diggin Roots, Mark Cassidy, Peter Katz, Dayna Manning, Jean O'Brien, as well as formidable musicians, Tim Bovaconti (Ron Sexsmith), Santosh Naidu (k-os), Michael Churchill, Paul Brennan, David Celia, and flamenco guitarist Juan Dino Toledo.

At the age of 17 in 1997, Sarah recorded her 1st Indie CD titled "Petals of the Self", at the time she went by "Batool", her middle name. The CD is a mixture of eastern, western and European world influences. When Sarah was 18 she recorded with critically acclaimed instrumentalist Jesse Cook at his request, a South American style cover of "Superstitious".

In 2005 Sarah recorded, produced and released her 2nd full length CD titled Rosewater Songs of which featured formidable musicians, guitarist, Tim Bovaconti (Ron Sexsmith), Rick Emmit on drums, Santosh Naidu on Tabla (K-os). The CD features more pop sensibilities. Sarah Sidd also recorded backing vocals for Mexican rock band Chikita Violenta on their premier release "Stars and Suns Sessions" produced by Dave Newfeld (Broken Social Scene), at their request in Toronto. Chikita Violenta is signed by Arts & Crafts and is internationally acclaimed.

In 2003 Sarah was nominated for best singer/songwriter at the MyBindi Awards. Sarah has also worked with producer Doc ( Esther) and Chin Injeti (Bass is Base). To add Anne Murray's daughter, Dawn Langstrong opened up for Sarah in 2003 at Toronto's Mitzi's Sister, now known as The Sista.

Sarah has played solo in various parts of Canada and the U.S. including Philadelphia, 3 times in Manhattan at the Bitter End where she had a chance run in and convo with Billy Joel during her sound check in October of 2013. Sidd also had the opportunity to share the stage with Gabriel Gordan, guitarist of (Natalie Merchant) while in Manhattan, as he invited her to play a set at his private showcase. To add, she also had a chance run in with Motown legend Valerie Simpson of Ashford & Simpson while Sarah Sidd checked out the Ashford & Simpson bar for there open mic while in Manhattan. Sarah stood out as she was the only non- r n b talent who signed up...she got up on stage and boldly sang the cover of "Why" by Annie Lennox. Valerie Simpson was moved to tears and took Sarah's Demo.

Sidd also has the chance to jam with actor/ singer songwriter Terence Howard ( Crash) while on set in Toronto for "Soul Food". Another impromptu opportunity arose when Sarah ended up singing free style with Sabina Sciubba (Brazilian Girls) at their Toronto concert at The Hoxton Feb. 2nd 2014.

To add Sarah's song "Strayed" co-written with Marcus Turcotte has been featured in 2 feature films: "TRIGGERMEN" (2002) directed John Bradshaw, starring Donnie Wahlberg, and Claire Forlani (Meet Joe Black). The song was hand picked by Donnie Wahlberg for the intimate scene with Claire Forlani. The movie has been played and sold world wide.

In 2003 somehow without Sarah's knowledge another feature film "WORD OF HONOR" (2003), directed by Robert Markowitz, and starring Don Johnson, and Jeanne Tripplehorn, picked up the same song. Sarah discovered this news when she received a payment from SOCAN showing that the movie had been played and sold world wide. During both times Sarah was known as 'Batool', which is Sidd's middle name.

In 2002 Sarah was also casted and hand picked out of many head shots to play the part of guitarist in Danny DeVito directed feature film 'DEATH TO SMOOCHY', starring Robin Williams and Edward Norton where she worked along side the stars in CBC Studios in Toronto for approximately 2.5 weeks straight. Edward Norton jammed on Sarah's guitar...how about that!

Sarah's fans and supporters include many established musicians and Hollywood actors: Peter Weller (Robo Cop), Danny DeVito, Gill Bellows (Ally McBeal), Robin Williams, Terrance Howard (Crash), Valerie Simpson of Ashford & Simpson (Motown Legend), Ron Sexsmith, Chikita Viloenta (Dave Newfeld), Shaye (Dahmnait Doyle)...etc.

Sarah is currently playing live in Toronto promoting her November 2017 release, 'No More Waiting Rooms'. www.sarahsiddiqui.ca -