Bob Lefsetz writes a topical blog that is widely read by movers and shakers in the entertainment industry. He writes from the heart. He writes from the point of view that the old system is broken, and the new day, though it is undefined as yet, is upon us. One of his ongoing mantras is directed at musicians, and reminds them about making music for the love of it, and not for the money. And that if you do it out of love, that might lead you to make money.
Enter Sarah Jarosz. We are in awe of her talent, her poise, and her scope. As we get ready for her new album, Follow Me Down, to come out on May 17th, we are struck by her ease and her eloquence, and note with utter amazement that her twentieth birthday is approaching within a week of release date. She has made quite an impact in these last two years, what with GRAMMY® and Americana Music Award nominations, a trio of Austin Music Awards, invitations to perform on “Austin City Limits” and “A Prairie Home Companion” and appearances at Bonnaroo, Newport and Telluride.
Photo Credit: Ryan Mastro
Sarah is still growing, still exploring, having headed to Boston’s New England Conservatory to study contemporary improvisation on an elite scholarship. For the forthcoming album, she and producer Gary Paczosa had to work around her college course schedule, as well as her high profile gigs. They did a session with Punch Brothers in New York, another in Boston with her trio mates Alex Hargreaves and Nathaniel Smith, and there were several sessions in Nashville with some of the finest pickers and singers in the world, including Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Viktor Krauss, Dan Tyminski, Shawn Colvin and Darrell Scott. Today, we bring you Sarah solo, from our sessions in Nashville this past September, as we caught up with her during the Americana Music Festival. It is a quick look backward, as we await the future, which is just ahead. Here is the Music Fog recording of “Song Up In Her Head,” the title track from her 2009 debut.
- Jessie Scott
