Sakai September 17, 2009

September 17, 2009

Sakai (vocals)
Dante McClinton (Drummer/MD)
Mike Blankenship (Keys)
Bill Hampton (Guitar)
Marcus Phillips (Bass)
Jon Bendich (percussion)
Nikita Germaine (vocals)
Greg Scott (vocals)

8pm show $12 advance / $16 at the door

“Reminiscent of the tone set by such soulful chanteuses as Phyllis Hyman and Angela Bofill....”
--Billboard magazine
Though her name might not sound familiar, Sakai’s voice has probably already touched you. From being the first voice you hear on Celine Dion’s “A New Day,” to vocals on CDs with Santana, Oleta Adams, Curtis Mayfield and Tower of Power to live performances with Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan, Sakai is called on by the best.
A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Sakai has traveled the world sharing her gift of song together with her spirit and natural beauty. Her sophomore CD “Dream Big” expresses life, love and pain from a soul who has been touched by others and is now giving back through her music. Known for her powerful voice and soaring ballads, “Dream Big” does not disappoint with the inspirational “Leap of Faith” and the ever optimistic title track, “Dream Big.” This CD also dances with uptempo jams and infectious mid tempo grooves, including the lead single, “I Like,” which is graced by the touch of D’wayne Wiggins, of Tony! Toni! Toné, on guitar. With 5-STAR ratings on Amazon.com, CDBaby.com and itunes, you understand why one music critic wrote, “Sakai is arguably one of the best unknown R&B acts of our time and one can only hope that Dream Big is only one of many offerings in this singer's promising musical career.“
(Charles L. Hubbert Urban-Reviews.com)

Sakai is not just a studio artist. Complete with an 8 piece live band, Sakai delivers a dynamic live show. From opening for artists like Goapele and Frankie Beverly and Maze, to singing the National Anthem for the San Francisco 49ers, the San Francisco Giants, and the Oakland A’s, to headlining sold out shows at the prestigious Yoshi’s venue, Sakai’s show is not one to miss. Sakai was on tour with Pat Monahan (of the Grammy winning group Train) and most recently performed with Sting, Lisa Fischer, Earl Klugh, Mary Wilson, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. and Narada Michael Walden at the “Let the Sunshine in” benefit concert at Davies Symphony Hall. With this type of experience and showmanship it is no wonder why Sakai and her own band were nominated for “Best Neo-Soul Live performance" by the Los Angeles Black Music Awards.

Official Website: http://www.yoshis.com/sanfrancisco/jazzclub/artist/show/895