![\"image\"](\"http;\/\/matsvederhus.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/image-e1465560222231-768x1024.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Two and a half years ago, singer\/pianist Sarah McKenzie took part in the Umbria Jazz Festival competition: she was awarded a rare full Scholarship to attend the iconic Berklee College of Music.<\/strong><\/p>\n 18 months later she graduated with a Diploma in Jazz Performance and was immediately snapped up by Jean-Philippe Allard, managing director of the impulse! label.<\/strong><\/p>\n At this time, she’s already released two EPs and one album: Don’t Tempt Me<\/em> (2011), Close Your Eyes<\/em> (2012) and We Could Be Lovers<\/em> (2015).<\/p>\n I caught up with her behind the scenes at the Bergen Nattjazz festival<\/a>.<\/p>\n You’re a relatively young, white woman. Jazz is a genre which doesn’t seem to attract many performers like yourself. What made you want to play jazz?<\/em><\/p>\n Sarah:<\/strong> I put on a jazz record, and I thought, “Wow, this is really me, I dunno why, but I really like it.” And I started transcribing solos from an early age, just cos I wanted to play along to the band, because they sounded so great. So \u2026 I dunno, it was fun, you know, and I wanted to be a part of it.<\/p>\n Will you continue staying in the genre, or do you see yourself branching out in the future?<\/em><\/p>\n It’s hard to stay the same, but at the same time I love jazz! I hope to develop my musical sensibilities over time.<\/p>\n How did you like today’s gig?<\/em><\/p>\n I loved it! The audience in Bergen really loves jazz! Who could have known?<\/p>\n Do you want to return to Bergen?<\/em><\/p>\n Absolutely! I was just out on the pier looking out at the ocean, and I love it here! I generally regret having to travel immediately. Tomorrow, for instance, I’ll have to get up at 5:30 in the morning. Not a day goes by when I didn’t wish I could stay for a week in a place.<\/p>\n You recently released your first album, and are already touring the world – what do you think are the reasons behind your success?<\/em><\/p>\n Woah! A lot of hard work, a great team, \u00a0a great management – generally a combination of those things. A lot of passion for what I do.<\/p>\n I was very impressed with your playing – were you a prodigy growing up?<\/em><\/p>\n Absolutely not! I just loved the music, and I’ve been working hard at it ever since.<\/p>\n Do you still play to practice, or do you do it mostly as a job and\/or recreation these days?<\/em><\/p>\n I work really hard at it. Sometimes it’s really trying, if you can’t get things to work. I practice all the time.<\/p>\n What’s it like traveling the world with three guys in a band? Are you good friends?<\/em><\/p>\n Generally, the feeling is one of family. Of course, it’s impossible not to get tired from time to time, but we all feel like one big family most of the time.<\/p>\n Your voice is really beautiful. Do you do anything to take care of it?<\/em><\/p>\n I have to work very hard at it (singing), and I warm up for 45 minutes every day. The voice is like a muscle, I have to exersize it all the time.<\/p>\n Does it get worn out on tour?<\/em><\/p>\n Generally, it’s kept up very nicely, actually!<\/p>\n Anything you’d like to say to your Norwegian fans?<\/em><\/p>\n I loved playing here, and I’ll see you next time!<\/p>\n Do you have a new album in the wings?<\/em><\/p>\n Yes, I spent two weeks in Paris playing and arranging new tunes, and \u2026 yeah. It’s my life. We’re recording in New York next week, actually. So that is a new one, to be coming very soon.<\/p>\n Sarah McKenzie has an extensive touring schedule<\/a>, and will be coming to Norway again later this summer!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Two and a half years ago, singer\/pianist Sarah McKenzie took part in the Umbria Jazz Festival competition: she was awarded a rare full Scholarship to…<\/p>\n