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Just Squeeze Me 2:410:00/2:41
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Temptation 2:510:00/2:51
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You'd Be So Nice 1:450:00/1:45
“Unbelievably talented ... completely blown away by the show last night...”
Press Photos
Sarah Clay (vocals)
Leader of the StarCats
Sarah Clay (jazz flute)
Steve Bulmer (bass),
Sarah Clay (vocals)
Bob Ferrier, (guitar), Sarah Clay (vocals),
Steve Bulmer (bass)
StarCats jazz trio: Sarah Clay (v/fl), Steve Bulmer (b), Draa Hobbs, (g)
StarCats Bio
Delightfully eclectic, the StarCats jazz trio brings the fun with swinging retro-pop, spicy Latin rhythms, mellow blues and gorgeous ballads. Their repertoire ranges from Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk standards to jazz arrangements of Soundgarden, Stevie Wonder, Sara Bareilles, Joni Mitchell, Shawn Colvin and Electric Light Orchestra, each reimagined for this intimate instrumentation. The StarCats specialize in presenting thoughtful, themed concert programs.
Sarah Clay (vocals/flute) thrills with spine-tingling phrases, crystalline tone and sultry flute. Steve Bulmer (upright bass) lays down a sweet, rhythmic groove that soothes the soul. Valley favorite Bob Ferrier (guitar) sparks joy with his tasty chords and playful improvisation. Toe-tapping music that makes you smile!
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Sarah Clay (vocals/flute; clayjazz.com), leads the StarCats, singing vibrant vocals in English, Brazilian Portuguese, and Spanish. Her studied approach to each arrangement attains a musical clarity far beyond most jazz vocalists. When not performing, she runs a busy vocal coaching studio in Florence, MA. An accomplished flutist as well, her instrumental work adds a beautiful upper voice on melodies and improvisation. An engaging emcee, Sarah will pique your interest with historical and cultural background on the musical program.
Steven Bulmer (bass; stevenbulmer.com), is the group's "southerner" from Cromwell, CT. A masterful musician on string bass, electric bass and tuba, he is currently on the jazz faculty at the University of Connecticut. Steve lays down a sweet, solid harmonic foundation: sometimes smooth as silk, other times driving and rhythmic, but always right in the pocket. You'll hear some remarkably musical solos from the string bass as well as tasteful use of the bow. Steve enjoys creating the most ambitious, original arrangements for the StarCats.
Bob Ferrier (guitar), has performed with Jon Faddis, Randy Brecker, Eddie Bert, John Fedchock, Claudio Roditi, Yusef Lateef, Peter Erskine, John Abercrombie, Rufus Reid, Steve Turre, Dave Samuels, and others. He holds a BM degree in Performance from Berklee College of Music, and a MM degree in Jazz Composition/Arranging from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. A masterful player known for his musical intuition and wit, Bob is beloved by both students and vocalists. Bob is a Professor of Jazz Studies and Jazz Guitar at both UMass Amherst and Holyoke Community College, where he directs the annual Jazz Festival.
Sample Track
Sarah Clay Bio
Vocalist/flutist Sarah Clay spent her childhood singing at the top of her lungs. The soundtrack of her early years was her father’s jazz guitar. Her dad used to play with Erroll Garner (stride pianist who wrote the standard, Misty), and Dodo Marmarosa (bebop pianist for Gene Krupa and Artie Shaw). "I learned to love the standards long before I knew what jazz was," she says.
At New York University on full academic scholarship, she earned a BA in Medieval and Renaissance Studies, focusing on early music performance practice. She furthered her music study with an oboist at Radio City Music Hall, a Broadway vocal coach, and a Russian opera diva.
Clay has performed at festivals and concert halls (including Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall) on both sides of the Atlantic. She's sung a broad range of music genres: baroque, classical, plain-chant, folk, Blues, tango… but she always returned to jazz. “Improvisation is the ultimate musical expression,” she smiles.
In the 1990s Sarah began intensive jazz study: a new song every week. After developing a substantial repertoire, she released two jazz CDs that the Daily Hampshire Gazette called, “Impressive … delightful." Known for nuanced expression and crystalline tone, she delivers fresh, playful interpretations of jazz standards, Bossa Nova and Latin jazz. And she scats like nobody’s business!
A vocal coach in high demand, Sarah's students have been signed to major labels, toured three continents, performed at music festivals, and appeared on The Voice.