Sara Gazarek is, as every jazz singer ought to be, an original.
On her new album, Thirsty Ghost, she sings all across the musical spectrum: standards (“Never Will I Marry,” “I Get Along Without You Very Well”); Stevie Wonder (“I Believe When I Fall In Love”); Dolly Parton (“Jolene”); a poem of Sara Teasdale flowing into Nick Drake’s “River Man.”
“Distant Storm” was composed by Brad Mehldau and features Sara’s lyrics in a duet with musical mentor Kurt Elling. Her own songs tell the stories of love lost and found. “Sara’s been risking and traveling, learning and changing,” writes Kurt in the album notes, “acknowledging that life and circumstances have the upper hand.”
For this appearance on Singers Unlimited, Sara Gazarek came to WBGO with pianist Carmen Staaf. Here is their performance of “I’m Not the Only One.”
Recording and audio mix: David Tallacksen
Videography: Chris Tobin
