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New York City saxophonist, composer, arranger, bandleader, woodwindist & recording artist Sharel Cassity tours the world performing straight- ahead jazz and original music to the delight of fans and critics. Appearing in Downbeat Magazine's Critics' Poll category for Rising Star, Alto Saxophone from 2010- 2013, this Oklahoma City native is quickly making waves on the New York jazz scene. As a leader, Cassity has enchanted Manhattan's notoriously discriminating audiences at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola, Blue Note, NBC's Rainbow Room, and the West Village bop stop Smalls. She has also delighted crowds at Washington D.C.'s Kennedy Center, Winter Jazzfest, Burghausen Festival, the Lake George Jazz Festival and The Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian to name a few. Cassity's experience as a sideman ranges from the big bands of Jimmy Heath, The Dizzy Gillespie All Stars, Nicholas Payton, Roy Hargrove, Joe Chambers, Orrin Evans, Lewis Nash, Anat Cohen, Revive da Live, Diva, Natalie Cole, Trisha Yearwood and Gregorio Uribe to the small groups of Cyrus Chestnut, Dizzy Gillespie Afro Cuban Experience, Wycliffe Gordon, Harry Whitaker, Winard Harper and John Lee. Cassity was awarded a full scholarship to Juilliard in 2005 after attending the New School (BA) and graduated with her MA in Jazz Studies. Also a talented woodwind specialist, Cassity is often called to perform on flute, alto flute, piccolo , clarinet and bass clarinet as well as soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones when necessary
Read moreSharel Cassity is another no-nonsense lady of the horn...her solos have an insurgent quality..and her deep blue alto wanes with melancholy”—Eric Fine, Downbeat Magazine
“Itʼs Cassityʼs amazing alto that takes canter stage. Sheʼs got Parkerʼs vocabulary down pat with a sweet and sassy style. —Ted Gioa, “Ten Future Jazz Stars to Watch”
For Sharel…the sky's the limit—Jimmy Heath
...This altoist's flights are positively Bird-like. —Jazziz Magazine
Beautiful sense of economy in her note choices, and a highly personal tone —Benny Green
“Sharel Cassity has the potential to be one of the leaders of this genreʼs next generation” —J
Saxophone
New York City
Beginner to advanced
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