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säje

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The GRAMMY® nominated vocal supergroup, säje, is the brainchild of vocalist/composers Sara Gazarek, Amanda Taylor, Johnaye Kendrick, and Erin Bentlage. Traversing a vast array of compelling original material, beloved jazz standards, and contemporary re-imaginings of artists such as The Bad Plus, YEBBA, and Björk, the all-female collective has demonstrated their devotion to thoughtful, sophisticated original compositions and heartfelt covers. Their highly anticipated debut album was just released, and features new original work and compelling covers, highlighting collaborations with artists Jacob Collier, Terri Lyne Carrington, Ambrose Akinmusire, and more.

Tickets are all general admission and cost $33 and are on sale now.

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While it may come as a surprise to hear that the newly-formed vocal super-group, säje (rhymes with beige), received a GRAMMY® nomination for “Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals” for their first original composition “Desert Song”, a John Lennon Songwriting Contest Grand Prize Award for their second composition “Wisteria”, and a Jazz Journalists Association Award nomination for “Best Vocal Group”, those in the know continue to eagerly await the debut album from this transcendent and genre-defining group.

It is through their four previously released singles, ardent social media/patreon following, and multiple self-produced music videos that this all-female compositional/vocal collective has demonstrated their devotion to thoughtful, sophisticated original compositions and heartfelt covers, garnering critical acclaim and fostering a widespread and passionate fanbase.

In their first debut-album single (“As This Moment Slips Away” September 13th, 2022) from their self-produced debut album, listeners got a sneak peek into the sounds and energy that they can expect from the record itself. In collaboration with three-time GRAMMY® winning drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, the single positioned säje as an empowered, genre-defining, and socially conscious powerhouse ensemble. surpassing any expectations of what one might typically associate with a vocal collective.

With their second single, there is more to hear than just lush harmonies, powerhouse vocals, complex contrapuntal lines, and symbiosis with their band. There is a deep relationship with the value systems found in purposeful artistic collaborations, an authenticity and connection to shape, texture, interaction, and storytelling. There is a real mastery of craft, not least of which can be heard in the mind-blowing improvisations from featured guest vocalist Michael Mayo. With “(You Are) The Oracle” we see that säje is a group to be watched – and that their newest single is only a mouth-watering snapshot of what’s to come.

Sara

Graced with an “impeccable” voice (Winnipeg Free Press) and hailed as an artist who “may well turn out to be the next important jazz singer” by the LA Times, three time GRAMMY Award® nominated vocalist Sara Gazarek has been one of the leading lights of an impressive generation of jazz vocalists since her brilliant emergence at age 20. While her subsequent career has been the picture of success – highlighted by five critically-acclaimed albums, numerous world tours, an ardent fanbase, enthusiastic reviews, an Associate Professorship at the prestigious Eastman School of Music (University of Rochester), and collaborations with such luminaries as Kurt Elling, Fred Hersch, Billy Childs, and Larry Goldings, it is with her latest double GRAMMY® nominated album, Thirsty Ghost and most recent 4-song EP Vanity, that Gazarek finally brings her musical expression stunningly into phase with her emotional maturity. Aside from her work as a soloist, educator, and member of säje, Gazarek also currently serves as a Governor for the Los Angeles Chapter of the Recording Academy. More info on Sara can be found at www.saragazarek.com.

Amanda

Amanda Taylor is a two-time GRAMMY Award® nominated arranger specializing in music for vocal ensembles. Pentatonix founder & producer Ben Bram says, “Amanda’s arrangements are absolutely stunning. She has the magical ability to create works that are so dazzling and complex, yet still satisfyingly singable, tasteful, and accessible to all listeners.” A Seattle native, Taylor was immersed in the musical culture of the city from a very young age, and flourished in some of its most prestigious ensembles; Seattle Youth Symphony, Vocalpoint! Seattle, and the Seattle Girls’ Choir among them. Through these experiences, Taylor developed an unbridled curiosity for harmony & composition. She spent her childhood transcribing, multi-tracking her favorite choral pieces, and exploring her own original music. At 16, she auditioned for and was accepted into the GRAMMY® Jazz Ensembles, alongside explosive talents like Kate Davis, Jazzmeia Horn, and Michael Mayo. With this ensemble, Taylor performed at events such as the Blue Note Records party, the MusiCares Person of the Year tribute, and the GRAMMY® Celebration After Party, sharing the stage with artists like Cassandra Wilson, Terence Blanchard, and Herbie Hancock. Taylor then signed on with powerhouse jazz ensemble Groove for Thought as their lead soprano. She quickly began learning to write for contemporary a cappella & vocal jazz, making her arranger’s debut with Groove for Thought on NBC’s “The Sing-Off” (Season 2, 2010). Ever since, Taylor has traveled the U.S. to teach, write, and learn. She has recently founded vocal arranging company Wicked Pigeon, and continues to work with A Cappella Academy, a teen intensive designed to train up-and-coming vocal talents. Her previous faculty positions include Mount Si High School, Bellevue College, Northwest College, & the University of Southern California. Taylor is a frequent guest conductor and adjudicator at various vocal festivals & conferences, and continues to arrange for both scholastic and professional vocal ensembles (The Manhattan Transfer, Chanticleer, Kings Return). She is an active composer, arranger & studio singer (World of Warcraft, Diablo III, Destiny, Shadow of Mordor, DOTA, and more). You can find more about her writing at wickedpigeonmusic.com

Johnaye

GRAMMY® nominated vocalist, Johnaye Kendrick received Master of Music from Loyola University and an Artist Diploma from the prestigious Herbie Hancock Institute. Johnaye performs her original compositions as well as fresh interpretations of beloved jazz and contemporary works. She focuses on graceful renditions of jazz standards and composes music and lyrics where she often accompanies herself on harmonium, violin, viola and percussion. The late Jimmy Heath said “Johnaye is a complete musician with a beautiful instrument and open ears.” In 2014, she founded her johnygirl record label. On this label she recorded, produced and released two albums: HERE, a collection of heartfelt originals and FLYING which was nominated for the Earshot Jazz NW Recording of the Year. Johnaye is a recipient of the Chamber Music America New Jazz Works Grant, the South Arts Jazz Road Creative Residency, the Chamber Music America Performance Plus Grant, the Marble House Residency, the Artist Trust Fellowship and has been voted Earshot Jazz NW Vocalist of the Year. Johnaye serves as Professor of Music at the Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. In addition to her many musical endeavors, Johnaye is a Certified Sound Therapy Practitioner and Energy Healer with a blossoming practice, johnygirl sound therapy & healing arts studio, a leading Sound Therapy studio in the Pacific Northwest.

Erin

Hailing from the green mountains of Vermont, Erin Bentlage is a GRAMMY® nominated artist who writes, sings, and plays music in search of honest sound. Raised in a small town near the city of Burlington, she first developed her love for musical expression through ballet and classical piano lessons, and later found her creative home in the contemporary realm through jazz and improvisation as both performer and composer. As an artist, Erin has been featured on a growing number of projects including collaborations with Jacob Collier (säje, Djesse Vol. 3), Kiefer (When There’s Love Around), Amber Navran (Golden Light), and Kate McGarry (What To Wear In The Dark). As a writer, Erin has been recipient of the Los Angeles Jazz Society’s ‘New Note’, for which she was commissioned to create a twenty-minute original work, and has also written for a growing number of world-renowned ensembles including Tonality, Kings Return and The Apartment Sessions. She can be heard lending her sound as a vocalist on a wide variety of projects, from major motion picture film scores to singing (and often writing) background vocals for artists such as Moonchild, Pomplamoose, and more. Erin is currently on faculty at the California State University, Northridge and can be found performing around the globe with Jacob Collier’s Djesse World Tour band and, of course, säje.

The Spa Little Theater Fall 2023 season is made possible by the generous support of Deborah and Dexter Senft.

Spa Little Theater

An intimate, 500-seat theatre showcasing our Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and many other events including modern dance, theatre, global, jazz, classical, and pop music and beyond, the Spa Little Theater is located at 19 Roosevelt Drive, across from the Hall of Springs.

Seating Chart & More Info

Spa Little Theater House Rules

Please Note:

Box Office/Will Call is located inside the front doors to the right.
No food permitted inside the theater. Beverages are allowed – no glass.
No filming or photography allowed, unless otherwise noted by a specific artist or performance.
Masks are not required (but encouraged) for performances in the Spa Little Theater. Guests will not be required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination to attend events in the Spa Little Theater.
Late seating is allowed between pieces only. Ushers will stop patrons at the doors to theater until the piece is complete.

FAQs

The Spa Little Theater is accessible for those with disabilities. There is a drop off out front with a ramp for wheelchair-users. Inside, there is dedicated ADA seating, however, the balcony is not accessible via ramp or elevator and therefore is not available for those who require ADA seating. Folding chairs can be provided for companions to sit with guests in the wheelchair-accessible seats. Both restrooms are wheelchair-accessible and have wheelchair-accessible stalls.

The Spa Little Theater has an updated HVAC system which now uses the NYS-recommended MERV-13 filters to help sanitize the air in the space. Masks are not currently required for performances in the Spa Little Theater, but please check individual event pages for the most up-to-date information regarding mask protocols. Guests will not be required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination to attend events in the Spa Little Theater.

Free parking is available onsite in the Admin lot across from the Spa Little Theater and is a short walking distance to the venue. For ease of mobility, a drop off option directly in front of the Spa Little Theater is offered. Additionally, courtesy golf cart for transportation is available for guests parking in the Victoria Pool lot.

You can also use our interactive map by clicking here.

There are men’s and women’s restrooms which are both wheelchair-accessible with wheelchair-accessible stalls.

All house rules are subject to change. By entering the Spa Little Theater, guests agree to abide by the rules listed above. Management reserves the right to modify these rules or can request to see the contents of any belongings brought on property at their discretion. We appreciate your cooperation in maintaining the utmost levels of safety and convenience for our guests and staff.

Group Sales

Experience SPAC together! From groups of friends and family to corporate outings, senior centers, summer camps, and arts schools, we can curate a special experience for your group of 10 or more. We offer discounts, flexible options and can work with your group leader to tailor your needs for a memorable day.

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