Sari Schorr
Sari Schorr + Joe Hicks
Entry Requirements: 18+ after 7pm
Sari’s “overnight” success comes after years trudging the rugged road of life of the hard-working Blues woman. From her humble beginnings, working the music scene in the legendary fierce South Bronx of New York and on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, to live performances at such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hal, alongside TV shows like Conan O’Brian.
New York-based Sari Schorr initially gained prominence throughout the blues world after several years of touring the US and Europe with Blues legend, Joe Louis Walker and renowned guitarist, Popa Chubby. Schorr was recently inducted into the New York Blues Hall of Fame.
In Memphis in January 2015, a chance meeting with legendary record producer Mike Vernon (Fleetwood Mac, John Mayall, David Bowie, Eric Clapton, Peter Green) moved Sari’s career in a more exciting direction. Within 5 minutes of hear Sari sing he offered to produce Sari’s debut record. Through Mike’s connection Sari was immediately signed to the UK’s leading Rock/Blues label – Manhaton Records. Sari has produced 2 albums, her debut album “A Force Of Nature” and now “Never Say Never”. Never Say Never was mixed in Atlanta Georgia by highly regarded producer Tom Tapley( Elton John, Blackberry Smoke, Counting Crows) Both albums have received universal critical acclaim for her blustery vocals and emotionally-charged performances. In the last 4 years Sari formed her own band, and toured extensively throughout the USA & Europe. Sari has been described by many music pundits as a modern-day hybrid of Janis Joplin and Tina Turner - a red-hot rock singer who radiates emotional intensity, connects with and inspires her audiences, and leaves a lasting impression that’s larger than life. In a review of her latest album, one respected music wrote “You could very easily run out of superlatives to describe what must be one of the best female voices about right now.”
Not only has the lady got one hell of a voice, but you’ll find she has something to say in the songs she sings. Her lyrics are driven by experience and passionate honesty for her role of carrying a soul-felt message.
Sari has released three albums on Manhaton Records, the UK’s leading rock/blues label. Her debut album, ‘A Force of Nature,’ was produced by Mike Vernon, legendary producer for artists including Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie, and Eric Clapton. ‘Never Say Never,’ her sophomore album was mixed by Tom Tapley (Elton John, Blackberry Smoke, Counting Crows). Sari's latest release ‘Live in Europe,’ was recorded live on tour in the UK & Europe. All of Sari's releases have received universal critical acclaim.
Blues in Britain wrote, “When Sari Schorr named her debut album, she practically wrote her own press: recorded or live, Sari truly is A Force Of Nature, an unstoppable tsunami that has stormed across the blues rock world, leaving a trail of shell-shocked cities in her wake.”
Line Up
Every year there is seemingly a constant parade of must-hear singers right? Not really. They come along rarely if they’re the real deal, as rarely as a seminal live album actually. Meet Sari Schorr. What makes her different is what makes all the others the same. She’s got talent, who hasn’t, but she has depth, life experience (like helping out in Haiti after the earthquake). She has real stories to tell. Sari is one of the few singers that can be, and is, mentioned in the same breath as Joplin. What you get is Blues with 3 Michelin Stars served in a New York diner. Don’t forget to leave a tip! Sari’s brand-new, 12-track live album was recorded on the last tour and serves as a perfect illustration of why you’ll want to catch the next one. We are treated to the passion of original songs from her two studio albums and two reworked covers, Black Betty and I Just Want To Make Love To You, both hot favourites with audiences. These stunning live recordings from across Europe, along with two previously-unreleased acoustic tracks recorded for the BBC in the UK, truly make this album an object of desire. For Sari “there is an honestly in a live performance that allows me to be vulnerable and uncensored.”
We are in uncharted territory, and to use superlatives that have been wrongly applied to lesser performers in the past, mostly by ad agencies, would be to cheapen something exceptional. Perhaps the best words are actually the names of other exceptional artists Sari stands alongside, like Tina Turner, Elkie Brooks and the already mentioned Janice Joplin. “Schorr can sing ‘em. the New Yorker makes you believe every stormy line ” Classic Rock Magazine “…one of the best contemporary blues rock singers in the world” Raw Ramp
“Sari’s songwriting reflects human emotions and experience, adding to the feeling of intimacy with her audience. She speaks of her commitment to tackle difficult subjects in her songwriting often considered taboo, such as domestic abuse and heroin addiction, offering a different perspective on topics of which no one wants to talk”. - National Rock Review - Sonia Alani
Raised in the rural market town of Newbury; rapidly rising Singer-Songwriter Joe Hicks blends intricate guitar composition and soaring falsetto with classic pop song-craft. Having made a name for himself as a session guitarist, Hicks released his first solo single at the start of 2017 following a soul searching writing trip to a secluded Cornish Airbnb garage with no internet or phone signal. Since then, the Joe has built up a sizeable online following (+3 million Spotify Streams), was made 'BBC Introducing Artist of the Week’ across the U.K Radio, had new single ‘Sail Away’ played on BBC Radio 2 and toured the UK and Europe, including appearances at CarFest, the Big Feastival, Are You Listening? Festival, Pub in the Park, over 30 Sofar Sounds shows and slots supporting Sam Fender, James Walsh and Starsailor.
Joe’s critically acclaimed debut album ‘The Best I Could Do at the Time’ (23.09.22) was recorded at Studio 91, Newbury with producer Sam Winfield (Amber Run, Only Sun, Robin Trower).
“A beautiful track” - Reverend Kate Bottley, BBC Radio 2
“This guy is absolutely smashing it, we can't wait to see what's next for him!” - Linda Serck, BBC Introducing Berkshire
