bio...

From the beautiful melancholy of "Storm Warning" to the intimate warmth of "...To Hold You," both self-released CDs by vocalist Sarah Morrau, you will be drawn in to a listening experience of intimate songs ranging from pop to jazz to folk.

Sarah Morrau's warm style and vocal clarity illuminate the themes of relationships, loss and longing in the songs she has chosen. "I know how music has touched me and been a healing force--my hope is that people who listen to this album might experience this as well."

A wide range of life experiences are reflected in Sarah Morrau's performance. From a childhood spent living in far-flung locales including New Zealand and Texas to a career that has included jazz radio broadcasting and counseling as well as singing, Sarah draws on a deep and empathetic understanding of human emotion to infuse her songs.

"...To Hold You," released in 1999, presents ballads and jazz standards, inserts Morrau's soulful interpretations, and for the first time, mixes in some of the Fargo songstress's original compositions. An outstanding roster of regional musicians contributed to the tracks on jazz guitar, acoustic guitar, piano, saxophone, upright bass, cello, percussion, adding the rich texture of supporting melody.

This stunning collection of ballads and jazz standards by Fargo songstress Sarah Morrau includes two original songs ("Hold You" and "Voices" featuring Sarah accompanying herself on keyboards), jazz standards ("Summertime," "Autumn Leaves," "They Can't Take That Away From Me"), and pop ballads (Leonard Cohen's "Song of Bernadette" and "Suzanne," Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now").

"Storm Warning," Sarah's 1997 debut CD, presents a delightful variety of musical styles. Whether it's the haunting ballad "Fare Thee Well" written by the Indigo Girls' Emily Saliers or a tongue-in-cheek blues rendition of "Steamroller" written by James Taylor, Morrau brings her distinct clear voice and sensitive interpretation to each song. Musical styles range from jazz standards "Lover Man" and "Come Rain or Come Shine" to a spunky version of Billy Joel's "New York State of Mind" complete with acoustic guitar, upright bass and finger snaps.

Sarah and her performing partner, pianist Rebekka Schumacher, have appeared often throughout the Fargo, ND region including outdoor music festivals, informal in-store performances, museum showcases, college concerts and summer theatres.

"Storm Warning" and "...To Hold You" were recorded at Raptor Studios in Fargo and produced by Mike Coates and Sarah Morrau.

 

 

 

Barking Dog Records & Raptor Studios