säje

The GRAMMY® nominated vocal supergroup, säje (rhymes with “beige”), is the brainchild of Sara Gazarek, Amanda Taylor, Johnaye Kendrick, and Erin Bentlage. Born out of deep admiration, these world-renowned vocalists, composers, and arrangers have come together to celebrate the music that moves them. As individuals, each artist has crafted their own notable solo career, and now are delighted to bring their collective voices to this union, traversing a vast array of compelling original material, beloved jazz standards, and contemporary re-imaginings (The Bad Plus, YEBBA, Björk, etc). During quarantine, säje received their first GRAMMY® nomination, for their composition “Desert Song” in the Best Arrangement Instruments and Vocals category. They were awarded the John Lennon Songwriting Contest Grand Prize Award for their second composition “Wisteria”, as well as their first Jazz JJA Nomination for “Best Vocal Jazz Group”. The collective also received gracious support for their continued work through the CMA New Jazz Works grant, the Super Patron Grant, the Jazz Road Creative Residencies grant, and the USC Visions + Voices grant. Their highly anticipated debut album was released in August 25th, and will features collaborations with artists Jacob Collier, Terri Lyne Carrington, Ambrose Akinmusire, and more. The union of säje is rooted in the tradition of joy, curiosity, lush harmony, heart-felt expression, and profound sisterhood.