Sasha Dobson

The daughter of two of the Bay Area’s most notable jazz musicians— the late pianist Smith Dobson and singer Gail Dobson— singer Sasha Dobson has understood jazz as a way of life since day one. She shared the stage at the Monterey Jazz Festival with her father when she was 12, and by 16, was singing professionally. Now based in New York City, she performs regularly at venues such as Moto, The Living Room and Rockwood Music Hall. In 2006, she returned to perform at the Monterey Jazz Festival. Dobson first arrived on the scene in New York at Smalls, where she caught the ear of arranger, composer, saxophonist, Chris Byars. He hired her to front his Octet and created a book of arrangements for her which led to her CD, The Darkling Thrush. She made a series of recordings as a traditional jazz vocalist before exploring the eclectic mix of styles evident on her latest CD, Modern Romance— her debut recording as a songwriter. Much of the work on the CD is co-written with New York City songwriting stalwarts, Richard Julian and Jesse Harris, who encouraged her to explore her own voice as a songwriter. Like her idols, Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan, Dobson “holds the simplicity, clarity and depth needed to master humanity’s first instrument,” says Chris Byars, “She forms her original stamp from both the rich historical essence of her stylistic ancestors and from her own 20-year tenure on the microphone.” Sasha Dobson will be accompanied by Rob Jost on vocals, French horn, ukelele & bass.

$17/$12 Members & Students. Available in advance, by phone or in person, at the Outpost Performance Space (268-0044)