The buzz surrounding Sarah Slean’s breathtaking talent has been steadily building since the release of the young Toronto native’s independent EP debut, UNIVERSE (1997), and its full-length follow-up, BLUE PARADE (1999). Her live club and concert performances consistently draw enthusiastic crowds and rave reviews. Her tunes have shown up on hit TV shows like PARTY OF FIVE, DAWSON’S CREEK, FELICITY and MURDER IN SMALL TOWN X, and in the feature film JOY RIDE. The release of NIGHT BUGS (2002) provided Sarah with a “New Artist of the Year” nomination at the 2003 Juno Awards, and her latest album, DAY ONE (2004) was nominated “Adult Alternative Album of the Year” at the 2005 Junos. Not bad for a woman who left the classical piano program of York University’s Music Department after first year.

As it turns out, Sarah had already found her musical milieu. At age 17, she began performing her original songs in local Toronto clubs like C’est What, often with a cellist or small ensemble, where she built a solid following of fans and fellow musicians. Her alluring voice and captivating songs soon attracted the interest of Warner Music Canada.

Early on, Sarah’s parents had encouraged her musical talent, which emerged at age 3 when she would hop up on the piano bench and start banging away. “I started taking lessons and I always loved practising. I loved musicals and melodramatic theatre. I wrote little melodies and my own musicals. In fact, I’m writing a musical right now – I’m trying to re-invent the art form.”

Sarah has a diverse array of artistic influences: the poetry of T. S. Eliot and Sylvia Plath; legendary singers like Edith Piaf, Ella Fitzgerald and Joni Mitchell; the compositions of Brahms, Stravinsky and Gershwin; the films of Gus Van Sant and Jim Jarmusch. She’s also a huge fan of the late Jeff Buckley, Tori Amos, PJ Harvey and, in particular, the British band Radiohead.

Sarah Slean creates music that is pure of heart, intensely felt and brilliantly performed, offering listeners an entrancing flight of fancy, enriched by hard-won truths and delivered by a vibrant, unforgettable musical spirit.

For more on Sarah Slean visit her website at www.sarahslean.com