Reviews and Press for “Hi-Fly”
"Every now and again you hear a special voice that makes you sit up and take notice....Sachal Vasandani has that voice." - Michele Norris, NPR "All Things Considered"
“Sachal Vasandani is a promising singer gifted with a wide range and an expressive, strong tone that brings out the essence of each lyric.” All Music Guide
“In a time when male jazz vocalists have grown rare, it’s all the more impressive to watch the emergence of Sachal Vasandani, who in the course of three albums—the latest, Hi-Fly, came out June 21—has earned abundant praise for the way he mixes the classicism of a true scholar of the music with a singer-songwriter’s more contemporary edge.” – MTV Desi
“… vocalist Sachal Vasandani put on an exhibition of scat singing that would have done justice to a virtuoso trumpeter. Taking a consciously instrumental approach to the art of rattling off notes as random syllables, Vasandani chiseled out long wordless runs across a dynamic range evocative of a trumpeter playing fast and loose with his mute. But the singer also left no doubt he could also flat-out sing.” – Detroit News
If Sachal Vasandani has a trademark, it’s his vocal tone. Clean and clear, it glides with an accessible assurance.” – DownBeat
“Sachal Vasandani is a dozen years Kurt Elling’s junior, and that gap serves him well: He’s young enough to have absorbed plenty about the art of jazz singing from his fellow Chicagoan, yet mature enough to use such influences solely as guideposts as he shapes his own distinctive sound. Now, three albums in, he makes the leap from promising to fully formed, firmly establishing himself among the foremost post-millennial male vocalists.” JazzTimes
“a soulful seesaw, teetering between artistic conventions and a
highly individualistic brand…Bing Crosby meet Amy Winehouse.” – GQ India
“Vasandani is a superbly musical singer, evidenced here on a couple of rollicking duets with 89-year-old Jon Hendricks on which the young pretender matches anything the wily old master can throw at him.” - MOJO (UK)
“Vasandani is one of a vanishing species: a rather unhyphenated male jazz singer. He's neither a jazz-R&B singer nor a jazz-pop singer though both those genres inform his subtle phrasing and rhythmic acuity.” – Erie Times
“With a wistful Chet Baker-ish tone and a laconic, melancholy to his delivery Vasandani is the perfect low-key antidote to X Factor-style 'over-souling', this guy's the real deal.” – Time Out UK
“…an intriguing mix of standards, originals and pop covers showcasing Vasandani’s ability to filter a wide range of material through his highly indi- vidual vision.” – India West
“For those looking for the next big thing in jazz vocals since Kurt Elling, this cat knows how to fly … high.” – Eric Feber, The Virginian Pilot
“…boasts fine, critically acclaimed players, substantive, stylish interpretations through standards, pop songs, and original compositions, and an overall sense of in-depth joy and care throughout.” - Examiner.com
“…a wealth of music from many eras and stylistic idioms…” - DownBeat
“Sachal’s signature achievement in the Hi-Fly CD is that he connects the meter of the jazz improvisation to the ebb and flow of modern poetry.” – San Diego County News
“A 2010 Downbeat Rising Star poll winner, US vocalist Sachal Vasandani brought his outstanding New York band to perform his boldly reworked standards and urbane originals. Highlights included the hypnotic descending ostinato patterns of 'Please Mr. Ogilvy" from his debut Eyes Wide Open and a poignant take on 'Love is a Losing Game' (from latest album 'Hi-Fly). Best of all was a remarkable triptych that drew together the hymnic 'Royal Eyes' (from second album We Move), 'There Are Such Things' and 'My Dear' into a remarkable whole."” – Jazzwise (UK)
“…an intriguing mix of standards, originals and pop covers showcasing Vasandani’s ability to filter a wide range of material through his highly individual vision.” – India West
“In the era of Auto-Tune, a jazz singer who can control his voice without digital help seems a throwback to the age when the likes of Sinatra, Bennett and Vaughan were crossing over to the pop charts.” – MLive.com
“A singer of great range and emotion, he tackles both standards and original compositions with obvious vest and desire. Hi-Fly is the large step forward I had hoped Sachal Vasandani would take on his way to the top.” – Straight No Chaser
“… expertly sung and performed …. With a warm, pliant and honeyed tenor Vasandani adds emotion and depth to each composition. For those looking for the next big thing in jazz vocals since Kurt Elling, this cat knows how to fly … high.” – The Virginian Pilot
“With arrangements that evolve into jazzy structures, Vasandani is able to showcase his smooth voice and stylistic touches. The singer has a unique phrasing that allows him to explore emotional depth … Hi-Fly is accessible, and enhances the genre of jazz vocals.” – Audiophile Audition
“Hi-Fly showcases a singer that can power through traditional jazz tracks and experiment at length. What results is one of the most unique albums that we’ve been able to review …
Without a misstep to be heard, Hi-Fly is a perfect example of an album done right.” – Nurfutur.com
“This clever, youngish crooner/songwriter has concocted a cool modern style that neatly elides facile comparisons to Sinatra and Bennett. And while the former investment banker never kidnaps the standards that comprise most of his terrific new album Hi-Fly into totally unfamiliar places, you always know they've been submitted to a serious rethinking.” – The Village Voice
‘His third release, Hi-Fly, confirms the high praise and makes Vasandani one of the freshest, most versatile artists to emerge onto the jazz scene.’ – Portland Observer
“… strong straight ahead jazz chops and a sensibility that imbues everything he sings with a jazz spirit, whether it’s standards, original compositions, or surprising contemporary choices, like Amy Winehouse’s “Love is a Losing Game”, delivered here as a melancholy, late night torch song. A solid outing by an up and coming vocalist with a bright future.” NYC Jazz Report
"Sachal Vasandani is the rising star of American jazz singers. On his third album, he forges a furious way through a dozen songs and shows an impressive range. With his voice to him, everything seems to be possible, and yet a simple title like 'That's All I Want From You', where Vasandani clings to the very simple melody and is accompanied by hand-drums, is a convincing demonstration. But it's also wonderful when he lets out everything he can." -Jazz Thing, Germany
"...A voice that creates emotions, supported by a combo of high-class, who has the luxury of (singing) with the father of vocalese Jon Hendricks, music to jump off the chair but is also able to move heartfelt notes in the self-penned 'Flood ', where he masterfully recounts the drama of the Asian peoples afflicted by disasters. Bright work, virtually perfect."- Musica Jazz (Italy)
about
upcoming tour dates
May.21.2012
Jul.01.2012
Jul.02.2012
Jul.19.2012
