SACHAL VASANDANI
Sachal Vasandani is recognized for his singular voice, with a tone and unique phrasing that mark him as one of the most compelling artists on the scene today.
Thoroughly rooted in jazz, Sachal has the swagger to front the most swinging big bands, and the vulnerability to present definitive takes of classic ballads.
His deeply creative approach to improvisation across lyrics, melodic changes and time signatures is always soulful, and he has come to be regarded as one of the eminent vocal improvisers of his generation.
PRODUCED BY RENOWNED DRUMMER & COMPOSER
NATE SMITH,
SACHAL’s LATEST ALBUM, “BEST LIFE NOW”, came out February 14, 2025.
Best Life Now draws listeners into their own romantic relationships with a soundtrack reflecting the ups and downs of modern love. . Narratives unfold on sensuality and heartbreak, holding your partner late at night though knowing you are not truly loved, powerlessness, losing love, not giving up, feeling infatuated with a lover, endless dreaming, inner dialogue, and letting go. Sachal presents vulnerabilities in a bath of soulful grooves making it a breeze for fans to relate to his love struggles, which in turn, shows that his experiences are not that different than their own. With funk-master drummer Nate Smith at the production helm, tasty beats and melodic hooks add to Sachal’s transfixing vocals across Best Life Now.
Sachal's 2022 release with pianist Romain Collin, Still Life (Edition Records), reworked classic and modern songs interspersed with spellbinding and memorable originals. It features up-close and personal re-workings of classics by outstanding songwriters Billie Eilish, Paul Simon, Sam Smith, Peter Gabriel, and others, alongside unforgettable originals. The recording follows his 2021 release, Midnight Shelter, with Romain Collin also on Edition Records.
His 2018 release, Shadow Train (GSI), celebrates twin themes of romance and respect with an open spirit. Songs like Abbey Lincoln’s “Throw it Away” highlight this: Sachal’s performance is equal parts virility and empathy. The Nat “King” Cole classic, Unforgettable, is honored with a spare, haunting style, and is revered by listeners with millions of streams across platforms since its release.
Shadow Train is also a showcase of intuitive, organic musicianship at the highest level. Never stifled by tradition, Eric Harland (drums), Taylor Eigsti (piano), Nir Felder (guitar), Dayna Stephens (sax), and Reuben Rogers (bass), focus their collective energy, seducing and enlightening listeners at the same time.
Sachal’s groundbreaking 2015 release, Slow Motion Miracles, (produced by Steely Dan’s Michael Leonhart for Sony/OKeh), highlights his original compositions - fantastic melodies in a fresh style inflected with popular music.
He has recorded three albums as a leader on the Mack Avenue label; his 2011 release, Hi-Fly, reached #1 on the iTunes Jazz charts. Hi-Fly was produced by John Clayton and features vocal legend Jon Hendricks.
Sachal has performed to enthusiastic audiences at all major festivals, theaters, and clubs across the world. He performs with artists of all styles, and has sung alongside musicians such as Wynton Marsalis, Bobby McFerrin, Milton Nascimento, Bill Charlap, Natalia LaFourcade and Michael Feinstein. He is also an in-demand lyricist and composer and has collaborated with artists across genres; his singing and writing was featured on Gerald Clayton’s Grammy-nominated album, Life Forum (2013).
A preeminent educator, Sachal bridges a strong technical foundation and disciplined, immersive jazz study with a fundamentally open spirit. Through his workshops, classes, and lessons at multiple institutions around the globe, he has honed a style of teaching that is as encouraging as it is thorough.
