They burst upon the stage with high energy and wasted no time in wowing the audience with their enthusiasm, love as well as virtuosity.

Sarah’s thorough knowledge of jazz standards, spiritual jazz was displayed through 2 sets that covered musical history and variety.

Opening with the original composition “Call to Prayer’, the audience was treated to a performance of spiritual jazz that recalled Pharoah Sanders and John Coltrane. Caelan Cardello’s Tyner like piano was a driving force. Although his playing was his own, not as percussive and African as Tyner”.

A cover of Gary Bartz’s “I’ve Known Rivers” complete with Hanahan singing the phrase gave due respect to the 85 year old Bartz who recently gave a strong performance at Saratoga Jazz Weekend. The whole band stretched out for this one , bass and drums in perfect sync, then Dwandyzk and Balduc each stretched with self expressive solos.

The jazz standards were certainly not neglected as the closer of the set was the much covered “Stardust”.

2nd set also exploded with high energy with the self penned but unleased “Crash Out”. Flurries of notes came from all directions, with quotes from various compositions of the genre in between. Dwandyzk shone on his solo as reached for higher and higher notes with Hanahan’s encouragement yelling “Higher, Higher” as if encouraging a guitarist at a rock concert.

I heard of Sarah’s prowess well before this concert. Now I have the confidence she will be at the vanguard of the new generation of players.

Gospel/soul jazz was then touched upon inspired by David “Fathead” Newman’s saxophone on “Hard Times”. The audience was encouraged by check out the original.

The closer was an oft covered Tears for Fears” hit “Everybody Wants To Rule the World”. This version really swung while keeping the spirit of the song! Many could be seen mouthing the lyrics, while others were dancing to the rear of the auditorium.

I had heard of Sarah’s prowess on saxophone. Now I am convinced she will be at the vanguard of the newer jazz musicians on the scene.

Musicians

Sarah Hanahan-alto sax, Caelan Cardello-piano, Matt Dwandzyk-bass, Sam Balduc- drums

Setlist:

Call to Prayer(original), I’ve Known Rivers (Gary Bartz), Stardust (Hoagy Carmichael), Crash Out (original) , Hard Times (Newman), Everybody Wants to Rule the World(Tears for Fears