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Jaz Sawyer

Jaz Sawyer (with one “Z”) began playing drums at age of 2 in the Haight Ashbury district of San Francisco, California. His musical studies has taken him through the music programs at the Ruth Asawa School of the Arts, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Stanford Jazz Workshop and The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music.

Jaz possesses an eclectic and refined personal style of drumming that stems from his deep roots in his Classical, Jazz, West-African and Afro-Caribbean musical training. Jaz has worked with many notable artists, including Wynton Marsalis, Abbey Lincoln, George Benson, Bobby Hutcherson, Jacky Terrasson and Dee Dee Bridgewater in some of the world’s premier concert venues, including The Blue Note, The Village Vanguard, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center and the Sydney Opera House.

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Endorsements: PDP DW SABIAN Remo Innovative Percussion Gon Bops Gator Cases


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147
Album Review

Jaz Sawyer/Irwin Mayfield: 20/20

Read "20/20" reviewed by AAJ Staff


Another in a series of CD's recorded live at the famous Blue Note jazz club in New York, “20/20" presents a contrast of sorts between a lyrical trumpeter and three highly percussive musicians in an aggressive rhythm section. Irvin Mayfield's tone, containing a bright ring and a slight buzz, commands attention in an extroverted, entertaining style that incorporates half-valve effects, full-range-of-the-trumpet cadenzas, growls and blurts. Yet, these embellishments never lead Mayfield far from the melody.Interestingly, “20/20" is a ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

20/20: Live At The...

Not On Label (Ti Jaz Self-released)
2000

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20/20

Half Note Records
2000

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