While most groups today have an average of three, four or perhaps five members, vocally trained artist, award winning composer and alum of The New School in New York City Sara McDonald has gone one step further and brought a further 21 individuals together to form an ensemble called The NYChillharmonic and create what can only be described as a pure blend of orchestral pop.
Having already performed at The Montreal Jazz Festival and The East Village Music Festival, among others, together with releasing her first large ensemble EP in 2013, Sara is no stranger to the music industry. Last year, she was invited to perform her original compositions at The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. as part of ASCAP’s ‘Songwriters: The Next Generation’ Showcase, which led to her big band music being performed on the world renowned main stage of The Moers International Jazz Festival in Moers, Germany with The Cologne University Big Band.
It wasn’t until December of last year. however, that Sara and her NY big band got their real moment in the spotlight, putting on their first sell-out performance at The David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center. With other live performances under their belts, including those on Quebec Radio and NPR Wold Cafe Live, together with coverage in Elusive Magazine, BuzzArtist and The Revue, Sara and her band are no stranger to critical acclaim, and more and more music fans are starting to sit up and take notice.
With several tour dates across Europe this month, the group continues to share their unique style of music and performance, delighting fans everywhere with the pleasures that they — and so many of us — know can come from big band music.
Check out the video for “Aubergine” below, and, for more information on The NYChillharmonic, visit their website, give their page a like on Facebook or follow them on Instagram.
