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| Unforgettable: The Magic of Nat King Cole on March 15 at Flushing Town Hall On March 15, Flushing Town Hall will present Unforgettable: The Magic of Nat King Cole, a modern celebration of the power and genius of the jazz legend, brought to life by singer and composer Sachal Vasandani, Shai Maestro (piano), Reuben Rogers (bass), and Obed Calvaire (drums). March 17 would have been the 100th birthday of Nat King Cole, making it a special time to recognize his legacy. Sachal Vasandani is recognized for his singular voice, with a tone and unique phrasing that mark him as one of today's most compelling voices. Thoroughly rooted in jazz, Sachal has the swagger to front swinging big bands and the vulnerability to present definitive takes on classic ballads. His deeply creative approach to improvisation across time signatures is exceptional, and he is regarded as one of the eminent improvisers of his generation. He is particularly well-known for his Nat King Cole tribute project, which features classics like "Unforgettable, " "When I Fall in Love, " and "Straighten Up and Fly Right." In addition to his vocal abilities and cool, charismatic showmanship, Sachal also honors the legend's legacy as a masterful pianist by sharing the spotlight with some of the best instrumentalists in the business. For this large ensemble project, he has tapped the likes of pianist Taylor Eigsti and bass legend John Clayton to contribute exciting new arrangements for the project. Sachal's record, Shadow Train, was released in Spring 2018 to much acclaim. It features renditions of modern jazz compositions stripped to their most raw and vulnerable state. His groundbreaking 2015 release, Slow Motion Miracles, produced by Steely Dan's Michael Leonhart, highlights his original compositions. He has three prior recordings with the Mack Avenue label, and his 2011 release, Hi-Fly, reached #1 on the iTunes Jazz charts. It was produced by John Clayton and features vocal legend Jon Hendricks. Sachal has played venues like Blue Note, Ronnie Scott's, Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall, and at festivals like North Sea and Nice Jazz. When he's not leading his own groups, he has performed alongside jazz's statesmen, including Wynton Marsalis, Bobby McFerrin, Milton Nascimento, Bill Charlap, Michael Feinstein, and many others. He has two compositions on Gerald Clayton's album, Life Forum, which was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2013. A preeminent educator, Sachal serves as the Coordinator of Jazz Vocal Studies at Temple University in Philadelphia. write your comments about the article :: © 2019 Jazz News :: home page |