Biography:

Sarah Pillow

Sarah Pillow has built a unique career by drawing on her equal expertise in jazz and classical repertoire. She began her professional singing career as a jazz vocalist and church musician, became a graduate of Oberlin Conservatory and started exploring early music upon her arrival in New York City. Her jazz festival appearances include the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, where she received an award for excellence in performance by Downbeat Magazine. Her work as a classical musician casts a wide net: from Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610 (Andrew Parrott and the New York Collegium) to Sweeney Todd (Andrew Litton and the New York Philharmonic) at Avery Fisher Hall. Sarah performs regularly as a solo recitalist in several venues in Europe and the United States, performing repertoire from the 17th century to modern music.
Her work in early Baroque repertoire is extensive. Sarah performed in the 1990's in Ireland, England, and the United States with historical harpist Jan Walters. Their collaboration resulted in three compact discs of the music of Giovanni Felice Sances for ASV Records and BBC Radio 3 in the U.K. In 2001 Sarah formed her own group, "Galileo's Daughters", which has been active in performance of 17th-century secular and sacred music at venues throughout the United States.
Sarah's recordings also attest to her diversity in vocal styles, and she can be heard on such varied recordings as Henry Purcell's opera "Dido and Aeneas" and "An Afterthought", where she has written lyrics to Marc Wagnon's progressive jazz compositions. Her recording entitled "Nuove Musiche" is a jazz-rock album based on 17th-century melodies and texts, and features guitarist John Goodsall and bassist Percy Jones, founders of the progressive jazz-rock band Brand X. "Remixes", her latest recording, consists of two discs and two interpretations (one historical, featuring Galileo's Daughters; the other a modern twist with jazz-rock musicians) of one set of 17th-century songs.

Musicians Featured On:

Remixes

Ronn McFarlane (lute), Jennifer Peterson (harpsichord), Mary Anne Ballard (viola da gamba), Dongsok Shin (organ), Karen Marie Marmer (baroque violin), John Goodsall (guitar), Marc Wagnon (electronic vibraphone), Percy Jones (bass), Frank Katz (drums), Vanderlei Pereira (percussion), Susan Davis Pereira (percussion)

Nuove Musiche

John Goodsall (guitar), Percy Jones (bass), Marc Wagnon (electronic vibraphone), Frank Katz (drums)

Papercuts

Marc Wagnon (electronic vibraphone), Dave Douglas (trumpet), Van Manakas (guitar), Leo Traversa (bass), Adriano Santos (drums), John Romagnoli (drums)

Press:

"Ms. Pillow has a lovely, natural-sounding tone and versatile gift for interpretation."
-The New York Times

"In other words, Sarah swings. Her scat version of Bird's "Confirmation"had her rising up into the stratosphere, displaying a formidable vocal range". - Jazz Now

"...Sarah Pillow sings with considerable allure in the beautiful soaring melody of the lament "Proserpina Gelosa" and the beguiling low register of "il mio cocente ardore"..."
-BBC Music Magazine

"...Sarah Pillow's singing of "O Maria Dei Genetrix" is gorgeous...."
-The London Sunday Times

'...a passionate and improvisatory approach - sensual, languorous, compelling."
-BBC Music Magazine

"The music on this CD ("An Afterthought") features the vocals (and lyrics) of Sarah Pillow, who turns in a first rate performance.... two tracks that really stand out are "Venus Incognito" and "The Warrior", which blend great lyrics and vocal delivery." -Progression Magazine

"...after hearing Sarah Pillow's delivery of the Improvisation on the Passacaglia I was not surprised to learn that she is also an accomplished jazz singer "..."-Gramophone

"...my hat goes off to Sarah Pillow! and to Buckyball Records for sensing the enormous potential in this lady and this genre...The overall sound is extremely fresh, while remaining classical at the same time. Extremely innovative. There's even a cow in there somewhere... (Really, there is!) Very well done. Hopefully, this style will become more popular and Ms. Pillow will give us more of it." - guitarnoise.com

"...her performing qualities are so great that, imho (in my humble opinion), none of the other contemporary female singers can be compared to her." - progressor.net

Though Nuove Musiche is primarily Pillow's show, the contributions of the Brand X lads are substantial. Most tunes are co-arranged by either Goodsall or Wagnon, who get their share of solos- and Jones' bass work is as impressive as ever. I can't think of any obvious points of comparison, but anyone who enjoys outstanding female vocals, jazz-rock fusion, or radical reinterpretations of early baroque music will probably love this." Exposé Magazine

"This recording will spur some debate, yet when viewed upon as a whole, Nuove Musiche is a compelling project, brimming with emotional story lines and melodious themes. Basically, Sarah Pillow navigates previously uncharted sectors on this curiously interesting excursion!" - allaboutjazz.com

"There is plenty of vigour, and the occasional sultry number....for a listener who is fairly innocent of jazz this is a real success." -Early Music Review

'Pillow's authentic early Baroque vocal ornaments'with rapidly repeating, tremolando notes may sound odd, but it all fits together...include elements of speed metal, ECM-ish jazz and more, in this curious, if not fascinating album." -Progression

"Ms. Pillow's unique style of singing creates an appealing atmosphere. Some may feel that Brand X's sound is not suitable for this music, but listening to Brand X is very enjoyable. This CD is a masterpiece, which evokes memories of Brand X's musical recordings of the 1970s." Euro-Rock Press (Japan) English translation by Reverend Akinori Imai

"My ear is tickled when Sarah Pillow sings tremolo on 'Jubilate Deo'. The group never loses its focus during all of the recorded sessions. The flowing structure of the guitar solos and the samples are guiding the ensemble, and are anticipating the moments of stillness when the voice is alone." - Ragazzi Magazine (Germany)

"The soft vibes and conflicting drums of 'Dido's Lament', a recitative by Henry Purcell, are a lovely little combo to showcase Sarah's particularly charming style of blending the Very past with only the latest present...the energy and importance she breathes into these old classical pieces is worth the price of admission, and hopefully will lead the genre forward for many imitators."Ben Ohmart -MusicDish

"Do yourself a favor: buy this album. It will allow you to greatly expand your horizons and discover how truly universal music is. As for which arrangements are best, the traditional or the modern, I leave that to the listener. I listen to the first CD, then put in the second and spend two very happy hours! Oh, and pay attention after the last song on the second disc for a vocal-only rap version of (unfortunately only) the beginning of "To Lillies". Hilarious! - guitarnoise.com

"The new context suits the songs just fine. "Remixes" is a powerful, genuinely daring record." - collectedsound.com

"It all takes some getting used to. And from a strict marketing standpoint, Ms Pillow seemingly has her work cut out for her......although Ms Pillow's nouveau approach and willingness to take chances, speaks volumes."- All Music Guide

"Everyone else should sit back and enjoy one of the best voices of our time opening the ears to a creative tour-de-force. A well-conceived set that more than delivers the goods, the melding of minds and modes here would cheer all creative music fans. Well done."
- Midwest Record Recap

"Not for the narrow-minded"
"... Many talents to accompany that superb voice. "Amarilli Mia Bella" (Amarillis, My Beauty), where a picking guitar, filled with effects kind of reminds you of a heavy metal song. But instead of rising to a thunderous chorus, a classical guitar is played marvellously."
"The overall sound is extremely fresh, while remaining classical at the same time. Extremely innovative." - guitarnoise.com


'Sarah's vocal parts in each composition she sings on are so wonderfully rich in emotions and diverse in arrangements that they outclass even that instrumental canvas (rich in itself) that is behind her singing. I couldn't even imagine that I'll ever hear such an incredibly innovative thing as using wonderful female (very female) vocals, performed mostly in a symphonic key, in a work of Jazz-Fusion..." - Ragazzi Magazine

"Ms. Pillow adds sonority and color to this burgeoning and quite climactic piece with animated vocals and scat singing, often in unison or at times accenting the vivacious horn arrangements. Ms. Pillow also possesses a remarkable vocal range as she effortlessly crosses octaves and displays an overall expansive vocal range!" - allaboutjazz.com

"Pillow's presence also makes the tunes seem more like songs - with sections and changes of texture - than like fusion jams." - Progression Magazine