Born: September 13, 1967 Primary Instrument: Vocal
Vocalist-composer-actress
Sascha Ley is performing both as a vocalist and an actress. Her compositions and her vocal style fluently move between jazz, free improvisation, imaginary folklore and occasional flirts with contemporary music. As a real allround artist she also works in the fields of direction/dramaturgy, mostly with dancers and produces own projects, labelled yela prod and yela music.
Her love for jazz and improvisation led her to study with the Dutch singer Reinette van Zijtveld at the DJAM Jazz School in Amsterdam and Kenny Seymour in Luxembourg, followed by masterclasses and workshops with Meredith Monk, Gabriele Hasler, Sainkho Namtchylak, Shelley Hirsch and Frank Köllges. She went on to study the basis of classical Hindustani vocals with Dhanashree Pandit-Rai in Mumbai, India.
Sascha lives and works in Luxembourg and has performed across Europe and India.
Awards:
Trio KALIMAAudience Choice Award/Prix du Public at Tremplin JAZZ d'Avignon 2009
Best interpretation "Songs For Life", an initiative of Aids Hëllef Luxembourg - 2004
Studio Hamburg European Shooting Star Award/ Berlin Film Festival 2005
Surprisingly unconventional. The Trio’s delightful and original sound creations invade the senses.(Sudouest/FR)
Most original compositions. (…) beautiful improvisation, experimental vocal. The jazz might need it. (Les jazzités du vocal/FR)
Finest chamber jazz. (Generalanzeiger Bonn, DE)
The exceptional artist Sascha Ley’s new band is in a delicious way indescribable. (Philippe Baron, RTBF musique3, BE)
Simply marvellous. An excellent debut album. (Luxemburger Wort, LU)
TRAVELLING LIGHT
“Travelling Light” is absolutely recommendable.” (Volker
Doberstein, Jazzpodium)
A subtle kind of music, somewhat melancholic, on the verge
of disillusion, with a charm served by a misty, smoky voice.
The music seems to grow out of the lyrics, and vice-versa.
(Philippe Baron, Belgium radio RTBF, “jazz”)
A wonderful depth and beauty. (1.2.07, 352culture)
Poetry wrapped in brilliant jazz instrumentation. (Le Jeudi)
Her music is inviting. Her language is poetic, precise and
captivating. It’s a delight. (D’Land)
irresistible (Tageblatt Kultur)
Sascha Ley delivers a mature album, both personal and poetic. (Luxemburger Wort Jan 07)
Kalima: Everything Within
Neuklang 2013
musicians: Sascha Ley: vocals & compositions. Laia Genc: piano & compositions. Anne Kaftan: soprano sax, bass clarinet. Guest musician: Ramesh Shotham on percussion
Kalima: Kalima
self produced/yela music - edition MASKéNADA 2010
musicians: Sascha Ley: vocals & compositions. Laia Genc: piano & compositions. Anne Kaftan: soprano sax, bass clarinet
Sascha Ley: Travelling Light
self produced-edition MASKéNADA 2010
Tracks: On The Road; Young Birds; Travelling Light; Angry Man; In The Box; Landscapes; Melon Pip; The Lover's Eye; Dance Upstairs; The Mistress Is Proud; Coming Along; One Perfect Rose.
musicians: Sascha Ley: vocals & compositions. George Letellier: piano. Marc Demuth: bass. Benoît Martiny: drums. Anne Kaftan: soprano saxophone, bass clarinet. Joachim Badenhorst: clarinet, bass clarinet.
Garlicks featuring Sascha Ley
Mutant Standards
private edition 2001
Tracks: Round Midnight; 500 Miles High; Impressions; My Funny Valentine; Someday My Prince Will Come; Crystal Silence; Stella By Starlight; Freedom Jazz Dance; You Don't Know What Love Is.
Personnel: Sascha Ley: vocals. Jitz Jeitz: saxophones, clarinet; Georges Urwald: piano; Claude Pauly: guitars; John Schlammes: bass; Martin Elmquist: violin; Danièle Hennicot: viola; Henri Foehr: cello; Al Ginter: percussion.
As A Side Musician
De Läb: Stëbslong
private edition 2011
Jazzperiments
Claude Pauly
private edition 2002
Tracks: Summertime; Aus Menger Fenster; Long As You're Living; Donna Bruce; Perpetuelle Intensité.
Personnel: Sascha Ley: vocals. Claude Pauly: guitars, vocals, samples, compositions, arrangements.
Disclaimer: All About Jazz is not responsible for the accuracy of the discographical data at the website(s) provided. If a link is no longer valid, please contact discography@allaboutjazz.com. Thank you.
