Acclaimed Jazz Singer Sara Gazarek to Perform at Feinstein's at the Nikko

Acclaimed jazz singer Sara Gazarek will make her Feinstein's at the Nikko debut on Thursday, July 12 at 8 p.m. In this intimate evening, Gazarek will perform songs from her albums "Dream in the Blue," "Blossom & Bee," and "Return to You," as well as other fan favorites. Gazarek will be joined on-stage by pianist Peter Eldridge of New York Voices. Tickets range in price from$19-$45 and are available now by calling 866-663-1063 or visiting www.ticketfly.com.

Amongst a community teaming with startlingly gifted young singers, Sara Gazarek stands out as a particularly extravagant artist. Her first two albums introduced her singular sound and vision, steeped in the tradition of jazz but deeply informed by contemporary songwriters and performers. With "Blossom & Bee," her highly anticipated debut release on the respected indie label Palmetto, Gazarek turns over an exciting, glistening new leaf. With five years between her acclaimed 2007 album "Return to You" (Native Language) and "Blossom & Bee," it's no surprise that Gazarek has grown considerably in the meantime. Working closely with the brilliant pianist/organist Larry Goldings, who produced the album, Gazarek and her band have crafted a program of emotionally expansive standards, inspired contemporary fare, and uncommonly memorable originals, all delivered with her insouciant sense of artistry.

As the title track might suggest, an undeniable thread running through "Blossom & Bee" is the irrepressibly buoyant spirit of jazz pianist, singer and songwriter Blossom Dearie. From the upbeat and humorous "Everything I've Got," their refreshing, glockenspiel laden take on "I'm Old Fashioned" and the meter-shifting "Tea for Two," Gazarek acknowledges the direct correlation between these songs and Dearie's.

But, rather than a tribute project, "Blossom & Bee" is meant to reflect the working repertoire of Gazarek's stellar Los Angeles based group, featuring pianist Josh Nelson, bassist Hamilton Price and drummer Zach Harmon.

Born and raised in Seattle, Gazarek grew up without much exposure to jazz. In her early teens she was inspired by musical theater and dance, but she ended up discovering and falling in love with the jazz choir at her high school. The director, Scott Brown, became the first of several essential musical mentors, and he started steering her towards great jazz singers/musicians and classic jazz recordings.

When Gazarek arrived at the University of Southern California (where she is now on faculty in the Jazz Studies department), she was the only jazz studies vocal major in her class, and studied privately with vocalists Tierney Sutton and Carmen Bradford, pianist Shelly Berg and bassist/arranger John Clayton, who become one of her most important champions.

By 2003, people outside USC were starting to discover Gazarek. She won the prestigious Downbeat Student Music Award for Outstanding Collegiate Jazz Vocalist, a distinction that directly led to a spot on the Concord Jazz Festival Tour (with Oleta Adams, Karrin Allyson and Diane Schuur). But now, with three highly acclaimed CD's under her belt at the young age of 30, Sara is steeped in the jazz tradition, but is not afraid to embrace the music that moves her generation. And with the release of "Blossom & Bee" she is taking her rightful place as an original artist with a sound and concept that will continue to bloom.

Located within Hotel Nikko (222 Mason Street, San Francisco), Feinstein's at the Nikko presents a wide range of entertainers from stage and screen all within an intimate 140-seat cabaret setting. There is a $20 food and beverage minimum per person inside the showroom which guests can use towards cocktails as well as a variety of small plates crafted exclusively for Feinstein's at the Nikko, through Restaurant Anzu. Cheese and dessert platters will also be available in the showroom.

Guests of Feinstein's at the Nikko can enjoy a variety of food and beverage options before performances. Kanpai Lounge, located in Hotel Nikko's lobby, offers light cuisine, a full bar and specialty cocktails. Restaurant Anzu, Hotel Nikko's intimate restaurant located on the second floor, serves sustainable California cuisine enhanced with Asian flavors.

For additional information on Sara Gazarek, visit: www.saragazarek.com.

For additional information on Feinstein's at the Nikko, visit: www.feinsteinsatthenikko.com.

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