Sarah Morrow
Successful young trombonist Sarah Morrow is rising fast to the top of that "new breed" of passionate jazz musicians the entertainment media is raving about. Hardworking, communicative and dedicated, her uniquely lush sound and strong sense of rhythm have enabled Ms. Morrow to make waves among both critics and her growing audience.
From Pickerington, Ohio, Ms. Morrow began playing trombone at age 12 in her school band. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications at Ohio University and working in arts administration for two years, she decided to return to her first love, music. Specifically, jazz.
Since then, Ms. Morrow has achieved numerous goals well beyond her years. She has received international recognition and critical acclaim performing and touring as a sideman with many great artists. She also leads her own quintet and has recorded a solo album, "Greenlight", on the French label RDC Records.
Discovered by Ray Charles, Ms. Morrow is the first female instrumentalist to become a member of his orchestra. She toured with the legendary pianist and singer from November 1995 through May 1997 and left the group to join Foley, Miles Davis' lead bass player, in Europe as part of a three-part horn section playing funk.
In the Fall of 1997, Sarah continued playing in the funk scene, not only with Foley, but also with such legends as Bootsy Collins, Catfish Collins, Fred Wesley, Clyde Stubblefield and John "Jabo" Straks (original funky drummers of James Brown). After this, she returned to Europe to tour with Grammy award-winning vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater, performing in a big band directed by Cecil Bridgewater.
While in Paris, Sarah was honored by the invitation of one of the fathers of Reggae music, Rico Rodriguez, to perform with him onstage at the New Morning Jazz Club. Since March 1998, Sarah has continued to perform with Ms. Bridgewater in France and Africa and has played and/or toured with saxophonist Ricky Ford, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, pianist Hank Marr, drummer Jim Rupp and flutist James Spaulding. Sarah Morrow recently toured in England and Spain with saxophone great David Murray in his octet's tribute to John Coltrane.
Sarah Morrow has recently taken Europe by storm. Last year the release of her first album, "Greenlight" - featuring Antoine Roney (tenor sax), Jaz Sawyer (drums), Ugonna Ukegwo (bass), Kazi Oliver (percussion) and James Hurt (piano) - won critical acclaim and launched her career as a prominent soloist, bandleader and composer/arranger. Ms. Morrow's quintet has performed and received rave reviews at numerous jazz festivals, including the Nice Jazz Festival, Paris JVC Jazz Festival, and the Marciac Jazz Festival, to name just a few. Special guests Jacky Terrasson (piano), James Hurt (piano), Scott Amendola (drums) and Ricky Ford (tenor sax) have been among the artists to perform under Sarah's leadership. In addition, the Sarah Morrow Quintet has opened for jazz luminaries Chick Corea, Ray Barretto and Kenny Garrett.
Such talents have given Ms. Morrow unprecedented press access, both in her home country and around the world. Among her many radio and TV broadcasts, Sarah was a guest on the M6 channel "Jazz 6" program hosted by Phillipe Adler (3 million viewers), an appearance which included a 20 minute interview and a solo performance. She has also appeared on the French Comedie Network and "DJTV" (Tiblisi, Republic of Georgia), on "Saturday Live" (London), on several commercials and at the "Lugano Estival Jazz" in Switzerland.
In between tours, Ms Morrow enjoys her work as a clinician and guest soloist for junior high, high school and colleges such as Ohio University, Mallone College, FNAC and Jazz Festival École de Jazz.
Ms. Morrow is endorsed by the Getzen/Edwards Instrument Company and is a prominent artist in their 1998 and 2001 sales campaigns.
