SARAH
MORROW
This page is updated:
October 16, 2020 9:41 AM
Sarah
Morrow
Successful
young trombonist Sarah Morrow is rising fast to the top of that
"new breed" of passionate jazz musicians the entertainment
media is raving about. Hardworking, communicative and dedicated,
her uniquely lush sound and strong sense of rhythm have enabled
Ms. Morrow to make waves among both critics and her growing audience.
From Pickerington, Ohio, Ms. Morrow began playing trombone at age
12 in her school band. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree
in Communications at Ohio University and working in arts administration
for two years, she decided to return to her first love, music. Specifically,
jazz.
Since then, Ms. Morrow has achieved numerous goals well beyond her
years. She has received international recognition and critical acclaim
performing and touring as a sideman with many great artists. She
also leads her own quintet and has recorded a solo album, "Greenlight,"
on the French label RDC Records distributed by Summit Records in
the USA.
Discovered by Ray Charles, Ms. Morrow is the first female instrumentalist
to become a member of his orchestra. She toured with the legendary
pianist and singer from November 1995 through May 1997 and left
the group to join Foley, Miles Davis' lead bass player, in Europe
as part of a three-part horn section playing funk.
In the Fall of 1997, Sarah continued playing in the funk scene,
not only with Foley, but also with such legends as Bootsy Collins,
Catfish Collins, Fred Wesley, Clyde Stubblefield and John "Jabo"
Starks (original funky drummers of James Brown). After this, she
returned to Europe to tour with Grammy award-winning vocalist Dee
Dee Bridgewater, performing in a big band directed by Cecil Bridgewater.
While in Paris, Sarah was honored by the invitation of one of the
fathers of Reggae music, Rico Rodriguez, to perform with him onstage
at the New Morning Jazz Club. Since March 1998, Sarah has continued
to perform with Ms. Bridgewater in France and Africa and has played
and/or toured with saxophonist Ricky Ford, the Duke Ellington Orchestra,
pianist Hank Marr, drummer Jim Rupp and flutist James Spaulding.
Sarah Morrow recently toured in England and Spain with saxophone
great David Murray in his octet's tribute to John Coltrane.
Sarah Morrow has recently taken Europe by storm. Last year the release
of her first album, "Greenlight" -featuring Antoine Roney
(tenor sax), Jaz Sawyer (drums), Ugonna Ukegwo (bass), Kazi Oliver
(percussion) and James Hurt (piano)-won critical acclaim and launched
her career as a prominent soloist, bandleader, and composer /arranger.
Ms. Morrow's quintet has performed and received rave reviews at
numerous jazz festivals, including the Nice Jazz Festival, Paris
JVC Jazz Festival, and the Marciac Jazz Festival, to name just a
few. Special guests Jacky Terrasson (piano), James Hurt (piano),
Scott Amendola (drums) and Ricky Ford (tenor sax) have been among
the artists to perform under Sarah's leadership. In addition, the
Sarah Morrow Quintet has opened for jazz luminaries Chick Corea,
Ray Barretto and Kenny Garrett.
Such talents have given Ms. Morrow unprecedented press access, both
in her home country and around the world. Among her many radio and
TV broadcasts, Sarah was a guest on the M6 channel "Jazz 6"
program hosted by Phillipe Adler (3 million viewers), an appearance
which included a 20 minute interview and a solo performance. She
has also appeared on the French Comedie Network and "DJTV"
(Tiblisi, Republic of Georgia), on "Saturday Live" (London),
on several commercials and at the "Lugano Estival Jazz,"
in Switzerland.
In between tours, Ms. Morrow enjoys her work as a clinician and
guest soloist for junior high, high school and colleges such as
Ohio University (Athens, Ohio), Mallone College (Canton, Ohio),
FNAC (Paris, France) and Jazz Festival École de Jazz (Aix
en Provence, France).
Ms Morrow has been chosen to do the "Rising Star Tour"
in Germany, Switzerland and Austria in the Fall of 2001. This tour
with her own Quintet presenting the music of "Greenlight".
Following this tour the band recorded Ms Morrow's second album for
RDC Records called "Standards and Other Stories" featuring
guest artists such as David Murray and French vocalist Anne Ducros.
It is a blend of beautifully arranged Standards by Sarah, like the
intelligent clashing blend of be bop heads of "Anthropology"
to the meter changes of "A Night in Tunisia", like her
dreamy interpretation of "Do Nothing 'til You Hear from me"
and to the intricate "Moanin'" of Charles Mingus where
Clarence Seay plays the devoted part of barytone player Pepper Adams
and David Murray plays his powerful solo that was once devoted to
Jackie Mc Lean.
Creative originals like "Leaving Home" shows a Swing/Latin
feel which will make you want to move your feet with the rhythm,
heartbreaking ballad like "It's Getting Late Now" written
(words and music by Sarah) for her dad.
"Standards and Other Stories" is a journey through different
moods and atmospheres. To the opening solo piece to the ending Septet,
Sarah takes you in her world of diversity
Ms. Morrow is endorsed by the Getzen/Edwards Instrument Company
and is a prominent artist in their 2002 and 2003 sales campaigns.
Sarah has been touring with her regular bands in support to this
album, in Spain, Italy and France in the fall of 2002. Playing in
great festivals as JVC Jazz Festival Paris, Nancy Jazz Pulsations
France.
Discography
:
Leader :
Greenlight RDC Records 1999
Standards and Other Stories RDC Records 2002
Sidewoman/Special guest :
Anne Ducros Disques Dreyfus 2002
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