Presented by: The Port of Tauranga 60th National Jazz Festival
Sassy and the Blue Riders is a collaboration between singer-songwriter Sarah Spicer and groove merchants, The Blue Riders lead by keyboardist Liam Ryan.
Over the last five years they have workshopped, written, recorded and performed together producing a stunning portfolio of original music which straddles jazz and blues from “Mr Johnson” – a brooding tribute to Robert Johnson at The Crossroads – to the funky and uplifting “Get Jive”.
The close-knit band boasts three presidents of the Tauranga Jazz Society (current president Jeff Baker, and past presidents Wayne Melville and Liam Ryan). For this show they are joined by special guests Trevor Braunias (guitar) and Oscar Laven (saxophone).
Expect a night of soulful vocals, uplifting lyricism and heartfelt, jazz inflected rhythm and blues.
Sarah Spicer – vocals
Liam Ryan – keyboards
Wayne Melville – bass
Jeff Baker – drums
Trevor Braunias – guitar
Oscar Laven – saxophone
“Sarah delivers a deeply moving performance. Her powerful voice and soulful songs explore the road back from stardom and the inner journey to the heart. We experienced atmosphere, real emotion and rare simpatico as Sarah weaved her magic with her seasoned, hand-picked band” – Village Music
