Cassity, Sharel
Jazz Legacy, 2009, CD
Instrument: Saxophone
Issue: 15.4
Jazz Ruler Type: Bebop
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
Score: 
O’s Notes: For those who think jazz is dead, dying or died years ago, let me introduce you to Sharel Cassity, one of several young voices on the New York jazz scene that is reinvigorating the space. Sharel plays alto & soprano sax and flute. She’s been working the New York circuit for over ten years now and built quite a reputation as a player, composer and collaborator. She longed to play sax as a child and followed her dreams to the realities of Relentless, a collection of eight selections. Cassity wrote six and arranged “On the Nile”. The title track was composed by trombonist Michael Dease who plays on five songs. Orrin Evans (p), Dwayne Bruno (b) and E.J. Strickland (d) are a solid core with guest appearances from Jeremy Pelt (t), Thomas Barber (flugelhorn), Don Braden (alto fl) and Andres Boyarsky (ts). Sharel has succeeded in assembling a talented team to express her voice and make a statement. We point to two songs, “Love’s Lament”, a warm ballad and the burner “Song Of Those Who Seek”, as evidence of the presence of invigorating new life in jazz today. Thank you Sharel!
Publicist: D. L. Media
