SARAH VAIL is a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory, where she studied piano, organ, and violin. Her post-graduate studies include composition and jazz piano. She has been a professional musician in the Cleveland area for over 30 years, playing nearly every genre imaginable as an accompanist, collaborator, recitalist, band member, etc.

Sarah has played in various blues bands and pick-up jazz bands, and she regularly performs with the True North Big Band. She has also performed frequently at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, wineries and other venues in the Greater Cleveland area with the Nouveau Celtic trio, Esprit (on the Crooked River label). On Sundays, you will find Sarah playing gospel on a Hammond at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Oberlin. Diversity of genre and style has been the hallmark of her career.

Sarah brings her original tunes and arrangements to BOP STOP on May 2nd. She will be joined by Dan Pappalardo on bass and Zaire Darden on drums, along with saxophonists Jim Cirillo and Jared Hochberg.

Sarah's music is a reflection of her experiences as a musician. She explores the fusion of seemingly opposite styles of music to create some beautiful, energetic and sometimes whacky tunes. She will premier her homage to Gershwin, An American in Barcelona, as well as other tunes from a wide variety of genres-baroque, jazz, Ladino, electronica, and Kansas City Blues. Her concert will also feature an improvisation on a submitted theme and more fun and games.

Sarah says," It's been on my bucket list to play the BOP STOP since I first heard of it years ago...and now I just say *rhymes with bucket*! I'm going to do this thing! And we're going to have a blast."