MADISON MUSIC PROJECT — SARA YERVAND
Kristian Knutsen

Isthmus Daily Page, WI
Oct 25 2006

Today’s highlighted Madison musician is Sara Yervand.

An increasingly visible and esteemed presence in jazz circles around
Madison and beyond, Sara Yervand is regularly described by listeners
as an accomplished jazz vocalist. She performs regularly at both club
gigs and jazz festivals throughout the year, including the Isthmus
Jazz Festival and Jazz at Five.

Yervand’s biographical self-description provide more details about
her music and its sources:

Sara Yervand (former Erzinkian) was born in Armenia, and began to
sing jazz, pop and Armenian folk music at the age of 15. She made
many stage performances in Armenia, European countries, including
Paris (live appearance on a TV show Sacree Soiree), Vienna (where
she lived for 3 years), Montreal, Zagreb (Yugoslavia) and others. Her
recordings with National Pop-Symphonic Orchestra of TV and Radio of
Armenia under direction of conductor and composer Yervand Yerznkyan
are outstanding. Sara Yervand and her son David moved to U.S. 10 years
ago where they started a life anew. She has a Masters in Musicology
and recently earned a MBA degree at Cardinal Stritch University. She
lives, works and sings jazz professionally in Madison, WI. She teaches
music and sings at Jazz Festivals and regional events.

The singer released Introducing Sara Yervand in 2005, a ten-track album
that featured the accompaniment of some of the city’s most seasoned
instrumentalists. The album was reviewed by Isthmus music writer Tom
Laskin, who wrote, "Yervand’s voice offer most of the excitement and
the surprises here in winning, often very playful performances that
at times seem drawn from an intimate club gig."

Another review from All About Jazz also favorably appraises the album.

Some of Yervand’s recordings are available for listening online.

Three are featured on her MySpace page: "It’s all right with…," "Love
for Sale," and "Lush Life." There’s much more information — including
music, photos and a list of past gigs — available at sarayervand.com.

There are many chances to listen to Yervand sing live over the
next couple of months. She performs regularly on Thursday evenings
at Fyfe’s Corner Bistro on East Washington Avenue; upcoming dates
include Oct. 26, Nov. 2, and Nov. 9. Guitarist Sly Raymond performed
with Yervand at Fyfe’s back in July, and gave high marks both for
the vocalist and the venue:

Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of sharing their modest stage with
the superb local singer Sara Yervand. This girl knows her stuff,
and exudes the confidence of a real pro. I’ve played with so-called
Jazz Vocalists before, and there has usually been a major adjustment
on my part; but performing in a duo with Sara was as comfortable
as the duo gigs I’ve played with saxophonist Jason Goldsmith. Her
interpretation is like that of an instrumentalist. I look forward to
our next gig together.

Yervand is also making two appearances this weekend at the Olive
Lounge in the downtown Hilton by Monona Terrace. On Friday, Oct. 27,
she will be performing with Doug Brown, while on Saturday, Oct. 28
Yervand is appearing with Paul Hastil. There is no cover either
night. Yervand’s appearances through the end of the year will take
her to Cocoliquot and The Bar at the Concourse, after which summer
festival season will already be approaching.

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