Sarah Troy

Sarah Troy
Sarah Troy is a young woman with a big voice; a 17 year old singer, song writer, and keyboard player from Calgary/Bragg Creek, Alberta. Alex Rand and Kyle Rosnick, both from Toronto, backed her, adding bass and guitar her third night performing for CMW. When she began her introductions, she sounded a bit uncomfortable. When she sang I was shocked. Her voice has a maturity and tone not found in most singers, especially not of her age or body stature. I was quickly reminded of Adele and all the praise she garners with her Amy Winehouse sounding jazz, but this young woman sounded fresh to me, and it felt real, not created by industry suits and press.
Between music that seemed cultivated from someone of a different age, Sarah’s true years of life experienced were shared in short chats with us. She recently auditioned for Berklee and told us she would find out Wednesday if she got in. A couple of us in the small venue told her she was sure to get in, and she was gracious with her thanks, continuing to soothe us with music.
She covered Etta James, ‘At Last’ with passion and soul. After finishing a song like this she went on to talk about missing school for Canadian Music Week and how this made her happy. “Snow in July” from her fourth studio album, A Dozen Hearts was lovely. Troy told us this song was less jazzy than her other songs. Though her background sounds jazz trained, she’s not an artist to just ‘sing the standards’ as some jazz singers do. Her style is new, and if I were to compare her to anyone it would be Norah Jones. She has that type of calming voice sustained with emotion.
The best moment of the night was when Sarah sang a song about an argument she had with musicians she worked with. The lyrics expressed, with such emotion, got to me. One lyric stood out especially; “Can we agree to disagree” This was the first time I’ve cried at a live show since seeing The Tea Party when I was 19 years old. Good for her making a grown girl cry.
- Vandala Concepts Ezine - page 44/45

One of things we love todo here at The Canadian Jazz Review is go out, and see our talented Canadian jazz artists live! Last night, we had the privilege of being blown away by 17 year old Sarah Troy. Native to Calgary, Alberta, this vocalist and keyboard player took a couple days off school this week to come to Toronto and play two after hours shows with bassist Alex Rand, and guitarist Kyle Rosnick (both 17 as well), whom she met at the prestigious Berklee College of Music last summer. "A Dozen Hearts", though technically not a jazz album, is Sarah's fourth independent release. However, when you see her live, you get to experience the effects that Berklee's program had on her song writing style, adding a jazz element that isn't found in her earlier works. One of the songs to note on the album is "Arson". This song begins with a progressing introduction that sets the tone for the piece. As the song continues, Sarah's voice pushes and pulls on the music, creating a unique effect on the listener. Whether you listen to the album, or see her live, you cannot help but wonder about Sarah's future in the music industry. Sarah will be continuing her studies next year at Berklee full time. We look forward to seeing what's next for this young Canadian jazz artist!

- The Canadian Jazz Revew

Thought I initially showed up at The Rivoli expecting an entirely different performance (as per both the printed and mobile app schedules), Calgary singer-songwriter SARAH TROY was a pleasant end-of-night surprise to be found on CMW 2012 Day 1.

TROY plays an arpeggiated piano-heavy style of pop-rock and fronts a set of vocals pipes somewhat in the realm of Vanessa Carleton, but it’s her jazz experience from the Berklee College of Music that tends to add an extra bit of spice to the mix.

Oh, and before I forget to mention: she’s 17.

“It was funny when we walked in here – we realized that we had to have an escort because we’re the only minors in Canadian Music Week this year… frustrating” TROY joked on stage during her performance. “Thanks to the dude who has the patience to take care of us children though.”

Accompanied by their supervisory entourage (since they technically wouldn’t have been allowed in the venue otherwise), TROY and the rest of her teenaged piano/guitar/bass trio hammered out a handful of original tunes alongside a couple covers – including what I can honestly say was one of the best Radiohead interpretations I’ve ever heard: a multi-part vocal harmony, percussion-less, jazz-guitar-infused version of “High & Dry”.

Bassist Alex Rand and guitarist Kyle Rosnick – both fellow Berklee students – each added their own jazz flair to the performance, but the red-headed SARAH TROY, adorned in a bright red dress (under the red lights, to boot) definitely kept the audience captivated.

With four releases under her belt thus far (before she has even graduated) if she keeps this up at this rate SARAH TROY is sure to be a heartbreaker.

I speak from experience.
by R. Stephonson Price - The Indie Machine