Once in
a while, an artist is born with an inexplicable connection to a
culture far from the artist’s origins. Such is the case with
Sandy Cressman. Born in New York City of American parents,
but with a Brazilian heart, Cressman began her recording career
with the highly acclaimed vocal trio Pastiche, with whom she recorded
three CDs, "That’s R&Bebop" (Pony/Canyon/Nova)
"Remember That" (BluePrint), and "Pastiche"(Summit).
Sandy’s
connection with Brazilian music was first sparked when she first
heard the music of Ivan Lins while at U.C. Berkeley in the late
70’s. After transferring to San Jose State University in
order to major in Vocal Jazz, Sandy began hearing the music of
Flora Purim, Tania Maria and Djavan, and began to study Portuguese.
From then on, her record collection filled with recordings of
Lins and Djavan, as well as the work of Milton Nascimento, Dori
Caymmi, Toninho Horta, Elis Regina, Gal Costa, Jobim and others.
In
1992, Sandy began a solo career while still a member of Pastiche,
and in 1996 began performing as a duo with Brazilian master keyboardist
Marcos Silva. Silva, formerly musical director and arranger for
Flora Purim and Airto, who has also worked with Toninho Horta,
Dori Caymmi and other Brazilian greats, shared her passion for
the music. Cressman and Silva developed and extensive repertoire,
musical interplay and following in the San Francisco Bay Area.
In 1997, they expanded their group to a quintet, and in 1999,
released “Homenagem Brasileira”, their critically acclaimed
tribute to the great composers and performers of Brazilian Jazz.
Sandy released her second CD of Brazilian music in 2005, entitled
"Brasil-Sempre no Coração". She
has performed this repertoire around the U.S. as well as in France
and Germany in 2006.
 Photo
by Lois Tema
Sandy
Cressman and Homenagem Brasileira have since performed at important
West Coast Jazz Festivals such as the Monterey Jazz Festival and
the San Jose Jazz Festival, as well as featured performances for
radio stations KXJZ(Sacramento) and KCSM(San Francisco).
In the fall of 2001,
Sandy and Pastiche returned to the airwaves with a new CD release..
Sandy
also performs frequently as part of Orquesta Candela, the Bay
Area Allstar Salsa Band. Candela has performed in
various national and international music venues, including the
Festival Beny Moré in Havana, Cuba, in Guam, and all of the major
California Jazz Festivals. For information and performance
schedule for Candela, go to http://www.musicandela.com
Another
side of Cressman's world music talent is her work with Jai Uttal
and the Pagan Love Orchestra. Sandy has added her vocals
to this East Indian/Jazz/Rock band since 1997 and has recorded
on Jai's most recent 3 CDs. 2004's Pagan Love Orchestra
release, Mondo Rama, was nominated for a Grammy in the Best World
Music category. For more info about Jai Uttal and
the Pagan Love Orchestra, go to http://www.jaiuttal.com
-- also see Photo Gallery for some pictures of the band's
recent gigs in Rio de Janeiro.
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Sandy
has lent her vocals to a number of notable artists' recordings,
including:
- Columna B — Cuba Without Borders
- Michael Spiro-- Bata Mbira
- Consuelo Luz — Dezeo
- Marion Meadows - -Next to You (Heads
Up Records)
- Tom Grant — Tune In (Windham
Hill Records)
- Ray Obiedo — Sweet Summer
Days, Sticks and Stones, Iguana(Windham Hill Records) and Modern
World (Domo Records)
- Pete Escovedo — Flying South (Concord
Crossover Records)
- Jai Uttal and the Pagan Love Orchestra--Live:
Kirtan and Pagan Mixes and Mondo Rama (Narada
Records)
- Eddie Money — Can’t Hold Back (CBS
Records)
- Neal Schon — Late Nite (CBS Records)
- Pastiche — Remember That (BluePrint
Records) and That’s R&Bebop (Pony/Canyon/Nova),
Pastiche
- Candela — Madre Rumba Padre Son
(PanCaliente Records) and Ilusiones (Orfeo
Records, Uruguay)
- Damien — Intercambio (Good Omen
Records)
- Prince Ayo — Dancing to Africa (Polygram
Nigeria)
- Music for Little People--numerous
children’s recordings
Sandy
has recorded numerous soundtracks and jingles, including commercials
for Levi's Dockers, Haagen Dasz, Daihatsu, Nescafe, Lucky's, Isuzu,
Reader's Digest, Delta Airlines and soundtracks for the films
"Spy Kids", "Mimic" (Miramax) and "Shimmer"
(American Playhouse).
Sandy has recorded numerous soundtracks and jingles, including
commercials for Nescafe, Lucky’s, Isuzu, Reader’s Digest, Delta Airlines and
soundtracks for the films “Mimic”(Miramax) and “Shimmer”(American
Playhouse).
Sandy’s
recordings of her original compositions have been featured
in the recent films “Lulu on the Bridge”(with Harvey
Keitel and Mira Sorvino) and “Play it to the Bone”
with Antonio Banderas and Woody Harrelson, as well as on the
TV series "Sex in the City".
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