Sarah Gillespie was born to an American mother, and British father. She has been inspired by Bessie Smith, Bob Dylan, Cole Porter, and early Blues and Jazz. At age four she began to compose songs on the piano, by age fifteen she was learning the guitar. She moved to the USA three years later and started busking in the streets and playing gigs.
Returning to London she completed a degree in Film And Literature and an MA in Politics and Philosophy at Goldsmiths University.
While supporting a fellow band, Sarah met the saxophonist and composer Gilad Atzmon who went on to produce her critically acclaimed albums Stalking Juliet (2009) In The Current Climate (2011) Glory Days(2013) and her anti-war narrative suite The War on Trevor (2012).
Her music is a fusion of jazz, folk and blues knitted together by poetic lyricism. Sarah has played at the Vortex several times over the years. She has built up a loyal fan base with performances of original songs, witty onstage banter and the band’s formidable musicianship.
‘Is she the new Joni Mitchell? PJ Harvey? Bob Dylan even? Glory Days recalls all three but Gillespie’s spiky lyrical gift is utterly distinctive.’ Metro – London, July 2013
The line-up is worthy of such compliments. It includes Kit Downes (piano), Ben Bastin (bass), Emiliano Caroselli (drums)