Sachal Vasandani: Best Life Now Unplugged at SFJAZZ
Sachal Vasandani has a voice that critics describe as unique and captivating, a tone that embodies jazz history while staying firmly in the present. He has earned a reputation as one of the most engaging artists on the scene, leading big bands with confidence and delivering ballads with a vulnerability that quiets the room. His resume includes collaborations with legends like Wynton Marsalis, Bobby McFerrin, and Milton Nascimento. But for his upcoming residency at the Joe Henderson Lab, Vasandani removes the production to showcase the raw, personal core of his songwriting. (Ticket info below.)
Rooted in Re-Invention
Vasandani’s approach to the jazz canon is rooted in a deep appreciation for interpretation. He credits Ella Fitzgerald as his primary influence, especially her talent for finding endless novelty in familiar repertoire.
"Someone like Ella Fitzgerald made a huge impact and still does," Vasandani reflects. "Part of the reason is her unique voice... as an excellent interpreter of song, but also as an improviser in every sense of the word."
For Vasandani, Fitzgerald is a master class in maintaining artistic longevity. "Through that, I got a chance to honestly understand what it means to take a song you've sung 3000 times and still find it fresh, and to identify the nooks and crannies in it that make it enjoyable not only for the audience but also for you as a performer."
The Accidental Intimacy of the Acoustic Sessions
Earlier this year, Vasandani released Best Life Now, an album produced by drummer Nate Smith that blends folk and R&B grooves. However, his upcoming appearance highlights the Best Life Now – Acoustic Sessions EP, a project created from the logistical realities of touring.
“It wasn't my original plan, but like many things, it happened by accident," Vasandani explains. "I was doing a showcase in New York... folks had planes to catch and couldn't make it. I decided to try it with the saxophone and guitar players from the record... and keep it intimate."
This shift in instrumentation revealed a new dimension to the material. "Why not? I've done plenty of similar setups with other people's music, so why not with my own? Turns out, it was a great experience... That's actually what we're bringing back to SFJAZZ in a couple of weeks. It’s been really rewarding."
Navigating a Confusing Headspace
The title track, "Best Life Now," reflects the complex emotional landscape of the post-pandemic world. Vasandani manipulates time and meter to enhance the lyrical tension, balancing hopefulness with underlying melancholy.
“Part of my overall goal when I started putting it together was to move forward after the pandemic," Vasandani says. "I was still in the same somewhat confusing headspace that we've all been in for a while. But musically, I had created two very intimate piano-and-vocal duets that I am thoroughly proud of... They were all very melancholy, and it was truly what I needed to express in the moment."
Jazz as a Celebration of Individuality
Beyond the stage, Vasandani functions as a committed educator. His teaching philosophy reflects his artistic style, focusing on technical discipline as a path to creative expression.
“In my practice, I remind students that a lot of what I teach them is like brushing your teeth,” he says with a laugh. "It's essential... But the joy is in those small moments of discovery when they've done the work, and their voices open up... Some students need a lot of coaching on artistic aspects, while others require technical guidance to realize their dreams."
He considers the jazz tradition a means of expressing himself personally. "I like to see it as jazz celebrating individuality... It's really about how you interpret the song, whether you wrote it or someone else did."
A Homecoming at Joe Henderson Lab
For the upcoming SFJAZZ performances, Vasandani teams up again with Bay Area natives Dayna Stephens on saxophone and Charles Altura on guitar. The trio setup fosters a stronger sense of musical telepathy.
“These guys are exceptional in their understanding of music and their ability to tap into creativity quickly,” Vasandani noted.
The Lab’s close setting enhances the material's confessional quality. "I'm just really excited to keep sharing the story of the record, and I think this format has that intimacy that people will relate to," Vasandani says. "I also believe we still manage to deliver an exciting, diverse kind of show, even with these stripped-down instruments, because of how compelling the guys are."
TICKET INFO
Experience an evening of intimate storytelling and masterful vocal improvisation as Sachal Vasandani brings the acoustic reimagining of Best Life Now to San Francisco. Joined by Dayna Stephens and Charles Altura, this trio performance promises to reveal the "nooks and crannies" of Vasandani's most personal work to date.
Show details: Sachal Vasandani, Friday, December 12, Joe Henderson Lab, San Francisco.
Showtimes: 7:00 and 8:30 p.m.
Tickets: https://www.sfjazz.org/tickets/productions/25-26/sachal-vasandani/
Courtesy photos provided.
