Looking for jazz, R&B, funk, gospel, rock, country, pop ... or even polka? Sarah Marie Young has you covered. Need a pianist? Sarah can do that too! A vocal chameleon, Sarah still stays true to her own unique voice, honed through years of classical training and performing in the Baptist church. Sarah received her formal music education at Indiana University, and her insatiable hunger for vocal harmony and arranging was fed through the soul food of Sojourner, the all-women's gospel group that spread the word from southern Indiana to Harlem. Bitten by the rock bug, Sarah put school on the shelf to play with "nightmare pop" group The Nods, as well as dreamy indie band Secret Girl. After traveling with The Nods, Sarah decided to make Chicago her home, serving as the keyboardist for prolific singer/songwriter Dick Prall, and opening for greats like Buddy Guy. In 2005, Sarah returned to school at Columbia College, where she dived into the creative world of jazz, exploring different concepts in music with nurturing faculty members/artists including Bobbi Wilsyn and Chuck Webb. Honing her performance skills with busy groups such as the Al Sofia Band and The Matt Young Group, Sarah has established herself as a jazz and R&B vocalist and recording artist.
Whether you are in a crowded bar, sitting quietly in the front row, or listening to her recordings in the car, this songbird can make a piece jump out at you as easily as she can hypnotize you into a musical stupor. Her loyalty to music tradition and bold creativity go hand-in-hand to give a memorable performance, but you have to see it for yourself!