Featuring songs from the critically acclaimed debut album ‘A Force of Nature’ with Innes Sibun, Walter Trout & Oli Brown
“Dirty blues; gritty vocals, and a deep personal commitment have catapulted New Yorker, Sari Schorr, into the spotlight as one of the hottest new blues rock singers around. She’s a major new player on the blues scene. Catch her now.”
– Edinburgh Jazz Festival
In January 2015 legendary producer Mike Vernon (Fleetwood Mac, John Mayall, Blue Horizon) was invited to receive a ‘Keeping The Blues Alive’ award at the prestigious International Blues Challenge in Memphis TN. This award was not the only highlight of the weekend for Mike; the second was witnessing the performance of one of the most amazing female blues singers Mike had seen in years – Sari Schorr.
Mike, whose credits include Fleetwood Mac, John Mayall & the Blues Breakers, David Bowie, Savoy Brown, Chicken Shack, Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Christine McVie and Ten Years After, came out of semi-retirement to produce her new album. Already a consummate songwriter in her own right, with tracks on major labels, Sari has written or co-written almost all the songs on the debut album. Released by Manhaton Records (home of Robin Trower and King King) the new album features guitarists Walter Trout (John Mayall, Canned Heat),
“During her performances her vocal range and delivery are a compelling combination that just holds your attention right from the start, casting a spell over the audience that is incredible to witness” – Blues Matters
New York-based Sari Schorr initially gained prominence throughout the blues world after several years of touring the US and Europe with Blues legend, Joe Louis Walker and renowned guitarist, Popa Chubby. Schorr was recently inducted into the New York Blues Hall of Fame.
Sari has appeared on the Conan O’Brian Show, and has toured extensively throughout the US, Europe, Asia and Australia. She has received critical acclaim for her blustery vocals and emotionally-charged performances, and is described by many blues pundits as a modern-day hybrid of Janis Joplin and Tina Turner – a red-hot blues mama who radiates emotional intensity, connects with and inspires her audiences, and leaves a lasting impression that’s larger than life.
Sari’s new band, The Engine Room, features stunning British guitarist Innes Sibun (former Robert Planet guitarist). “The Engine Room truly is a remarkable band,” says Sari. “Something magical happens when we’re on stage together. We’re fuelled further by the audiences’ reaction and everything’s possible. I love touring and enjoy the privilege of meeting so many like-minded people who share our love of the Blues.”
The album delivers hard-driving Blues-Rock, influenced by the late ’60s British Blues movement. Sari (who trained as an opera singer) mixes Blues, Rock, and Soul with concrete melodies and poetic lyrics to striking effect. Says Sari, “I set out to write achingly honest songs about the beauty and the tragedy of the human experience. I hope my music can be a galvanizing force to inspire, repair and unite people. I try not to allow constraints on my writing or my performance of the songs. Most often, I manage to trust my intuition and honestly, Mike Vernon brings out the best in the artists he works with.”
“A deeply personal album for Schorr, Force of Nature is a hailstorm of an album sure to go down in blues history”. – Blues Rock Review
“My songs are rooted in the blues and honouring that long tradition is important to me,” reflects Sari. “My song-writing draws heavily on contrasting melodic hooks with aching harmonies. I spend a lot of time working over and rewriting my lyrics. I rely heavily on imagery and enjoy using double-entendres that are entertaining to those who catch them. My influences are many and various and include Son House, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Lead Belly, Bessie Smith, Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, Freddie King, Robert Johnson, B.B. King, Peter Green, Robert Plant, Martha Velez and Bob Dylan.”
The album features the guitar mastery of Innes Sibun, Walter Trout and Oli Brown and stellar keyboard work by John Baggott.
Sari mixes a passion for music and with a duty of social responsibility. She has devoted her talent and energy to music projects of a grand scale for humanitarian causes. Most notable is her work on a “Toast to Freedom” for Amnesty International, where she collaborated with many musical legends including Warren Haynes, Levon Helm, Keb Mo’, Taj Mahal, Eric Burdon and Carly Simon. Sari’s humanitarian efforts include work in Haiti and India. She founded “Matters” – a non-profit that draws attention to humanitarian causes through the arts.
Sari Schorr & The Engine Room perform at The Atkinson on Saturday 15 April at 8pm. Tickets are *£13 lower level / £11 balcony.
To book tickets for this event or to find out more information about all the other events and activities at The Atkinson, please visit theatkinson.co.uk or call our friendly Box Office team on 01704 533333.
*Please be advised that there is a £1 per ticket booking fee for telephone and online sales and a 2% fee for credit cards at the Box Office.
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LISTING INFORMATION
For interviews or press tickets/photos please contact Emma Lloyd Emma.lloyd@sefton.gov.uk / 0151 934 2129
Sari Schorr & The Engine Room
Saturday 15 April
8pm
*£13 lower level/ £11 balcony
*Please be advised that there is a £1 per ticket booking fee for telephone and online sales and a 2% fee for credit cards at the Box Office.
-ENDS-
Posted on 30 March 2017 under General news
