säje

säje (rhymes with “beige”) is a dynamic GRAMMY® award winning supergroup formed by vocalists Sara Gazarek, Amanda Taylor, Johnaye Kendrick, and Erin Bentlage. Renowned for their individual solo careers, they unite to explore original material and reimagine contemporary classics, delivering a mesmerizing blend of jazz and innovation.

When a jazz ensemble earns a GRAMMY Award® nomination with its very first song, you know something special is happening. ‘Magic’ is the word that often comes up when säje discusses their founding and evolution, especially when recalling the story behind their first single, “Desert Song.” During a retreat in Palm Springs, they forged stronger bonds and experienced a creative breakthrough, which later fueled their performance at the Jazz Education Network Conference in New Orleans. This led them to swiftly craft an entire set of new material, much of which comprises their debut album. This album, featuring original compositions, reimagined jazz classics, and inventive covers, showcases their boundary-breaking approach to music. With guest appearances from acclaimed artists like Jacob Collier and Terri Lyne Carrington, säje’s debut redefined the boundaries of vocal ensemble music.

When you look at the accomplishments of the women in säje, their individual virtuosity and singular chemistry makes a lot of sense. Erin Bentlage has been featured on albums by Jacob Collier (Djesse Vol. 3), Kiefer (When There’s Love Around), Kate McGarry (What To Wear In The Dark), and Amber Navran (their collaboration Golden Light). Amanda Taylor is a Grammy-nominated arranger known for her work with leading vocal ensembles, including Groove for Thought, The Manhattan Transfer, Chanticleer, and Kings Return. Johnaye Kendrick has honed a deep repertoire of originals and inventively arranged standards, jazz tunes and contemporary pop songs, having released two albums on her record label johnygirl, 2014’s Here, and 2018’s acclaimed Flying. Sara Gazarek is a two-time GRAMMY® nominee for her solo albums and is widely considered one of her generation’s definitive jazz vocalists. With multiple awards, nominations and critical acclaim this early in their artistic journey, säje is poised to shine on the international stage with their debut album, paving the way for other singers to explore new sonic and emotional territories.