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Sara

Allison Miller in New York on te%

November 1, 2023 // by Sara// Leave a Comment

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Rachel Caswell
Sara Caswell

saracaswellvln

✨GRAMMY® Nominee (Best Improvised Jazz Solo)
🍎NYC-based
📝on faculty at Berklee College of Music / NYU / Manhattan School of Music / The New School

Hanging in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains this

Hanging in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains this week teaching at @theswannanoagathering . Great music & fun times guaranteed - love this community! #jazzimprov #musictheory #fiddleweek #mandobanjoweek #blueridgemountains

TONIGHT! So looking forward to playing w/ @adarova

TONIGHT! So looking forward to playing w/ @adarovatti_official & her ensemble (@alexanderclaffy / @jimridl / @rodneyholmes1 ) at the @syracusejazzfest . FREE outdoor festival at Clinton Square in downtown Syracuse - come hang with us if you’re in the area!

Exciting news! Three artists leading ensembles of

Exciting news! Three artists leading ensembles of which I’m part have recently signed with management:

• @pascalleboeuf (Ritual Being): @arielartists
• @emiliosolla (La Inestable de Brooklyn): @ericobersteinproductions
• @ghosttrainorchestra - The Music of Moondog: @dlartists

Collaborating with these musicians/groups has been a thrill beyond measure - grateful for their artistry, friendship, & trust 🙏🏼 Congrats to Pascal, Emilio, & @bwcarpenter on these new partnerships & the musical adventures that lay ahead! 🥂🍾🎶

Back in Brooklyn following a memorable couple week

Back in Brooklyn following a memorable couple weeks on the road:

• Photos 1-3: four days spent in Asheville (NC) rehearsing/recording @mindtonic ‘s incredible new work “Society of the Spectacle” at @echomountainrecording (one of the final sessions in that iconic space). Such a joy collaborating with this crew: @will.boyd , @michaelwdavis , Jay Sanders, @zackpagebass , & Steve Alford.

This session was bookedended by two weekends spent with friends & family:

• Photos 4-6: Memorial Day Weekend in the Blue Ridge Mountains w/ @chuckowen54 , @perdanielssonjazz , @tamaradanielssonmusic , Jack Wilkins, & @tinam.wilkins for our 2nd annual Burning Squirrel Gathering (IYKYK 😆)

• Photos 7-10: this past weekend in my hometown (Bloomington, IN) w/ Mom & @rachelcaswellvox celebrating the start of summer & what would be Dad’s 94th birthday.

Birthday brunch celebrating what would have been D

Birthday brunch celebrating what would have been Dad’s 94th - love & miss you, ABC! ❤️

Closing the books on the 2024-25 academic year! To

Closing the books on the 2024-25 academic year! To mark the occasion, here is my @berkleecollege Jazz Strings Lab performing their transcription of Miles Davis’ solo over “Straight No Chaser”. To them & all my students at Berklee & @msm.nyc : CONGRATS! 🎉 It’s both a joy & privilege working with you & witnessing your growth, discoveries, achievements & creative ventures. And to my fellow faculty: your artistry, guidance, and wisdom are forever inspiring 🙏🏼. See y’all in September! #jazzstrings #jazzviolin #milesdavis #transcription

TONIGHT! Excited to be part of this historic @carn

TONIGHT! Excited to be part of this historic @carnegiehall concert celebrating the artistry of Alice Coltrane. Featuring @ravicoltranemusic , Michelle Coltrane, @flyinglotus , @harpista , Jeff “Tain” Watts, Robert Hurst, & @davidvirellespiano + members of the Sai Anantam Devotional Ensemble w/ orchestra, arrangements by @mcgmusic . #alicecoltrane @absolutelylive

That’s a wrap! An epic two days at @bunkerstudio

That’s a wrap! An epic two days at @bunkerstudio recording @emiliosolla ‘s new album w/ La Inestable de Brooklyn. Incredible music & brilliant musicians - ever & always a thrill collaborating with these gentlemen: Emilio / Alejandro Aviles / @t_armacost / @davesmithtrumpet / @mfahie / @edwardperezbass / @rgrboccato / @rodolfozanettibando . Thanks as well to @christopherzuar , Brian Montgomery, @raphaellaheromusic , @dennyabrams , & the Bunker team for their eyes, ears, expertise & helping hands from start to finish. 🙏🏼

Back in Brooklyn following an incredible three day

Back in Brooklyn following an incredible three days in Denver recording composer @shelbierassler ‘s brilliant suite “Portrait of an Unquiet Mind” featuring master drummer @joefarnsworthdrums & this amazing ensemble: @patbartmusic / @seanyboymusic / @modernpaulitics / Reuben Rogers /
@enionmalkah / @andrewkrimm / Evan Shelton / @eirikplaysbass . Grateful to Mark Rabideau for the invitation to be part of this project & everyone who helped make the documentation of it so meaningful - @johnmozfarnsworth / Laura Rabideau / @brokerclinic / @mightyfinestudios

Such an amazing experience premiering “Stryker &

Such an amazing experience premiering “Stryker & Strings Goes to the Movies” last night in front of a hometown crowd! So grateful to @dave.stryker for inviting me on board this project, Brent Wallarab for his gorgeous arrangements & leadership from the podium, the incredible musicians who made last night magical, & to @tomwalshsaxophone , the @iujazzstudies program, & all those at the @iujsom who helped make this event such a success.

Tonight! So excited to be leading the strings in t

Tonight! So excited to be leading the strings in the 1st live performance of “Stryker w/ Strings Goes to the Movies” at my alma mater @iujsom with this stellar crew: @dave.stryker / #brentwallarab / @fittedphonic / @mcclenty_mac / @tomwalshsaxophone / #jeremyallen / @osakaluke / @richarddolemusic / @johnsondavidbrent / IU students & alumni. 7:30pm at the MAC, live-streamed on Live@Jacobs. @iujazzstudies

Spring is finally here!! 🌷 Looking forward to a

Spring is finally here!! 🌷 Looking forward to a month of performances with these amazing musicians at some of my favorite venues @emiliosolla @dave.stryker @joefarnsworthdrums @janiebarnettartist @thejazzgallery @iujsom @dazzle_denver @smallslive @citywinerynyc @carnegiehall
📷: @shervinfoto
Textile jewelry: @pazsintestextilejewelry

Looking back on the past 4 days… • my 2nd time

Looking back on the past 4 days…
• my 2nd time subbing on @gypsybway - amazing show, cast, orchestra, & crew! 💫 Grateful to @tomoakaboshi for inviting me on board & trusting me with this incredible music.
• guesting with the @killdeer.trio (@wyattambrose / @evanjagels / @bask1n ) at @thevandyck , a great new performance room in Schnectady NY. A wonderful night playing with these gentlemen in such a historic space. Thanks to Chris Sule for hosting us & Joan Mikalson for her hospitality 🙏🏼
• being the guest artist for the 2nd annual @hartwickcollege Jazz Festival, a day spent playing, discussing, & celebrating the music we love. Thanks to Evan for the invitation, the HJF attendees for their inspiring performances, & the Hartwick faculty & staff for helping make this gathering possible. (photo: @lord_hanlon )
• rolling into NYC just in time to catch Maestro’s @genebertoncini ‘s 88th birthday celebration at @mezzrowjazzclub . Love this man dearly, my friend & colleague for over 25 years. Happy Birthday, Geno!!! 🎂 Thanks to @sleepinbee & @jbassnyc for putting the awesome party together.

Excited for a fun weekend of music in upstate NY w

Excited for a fun weekend of music in upstate NY with @killdeer.trio ( @wyattambrose 🎸/ @evanjagels 🎻/ @bask1n 🥁) - come hang with us if you’re in the area!

• TONIGHT 4/4: @thevandyck , Schenectady (NY) - 7:30pm
• Saturday 4/5: @hartwickcollege Jazz Day 2025, Oneonta (NY) - 1-5pm workshops, 6pm concert

I recently stumbled across this photo of David N.

I recently stumbled across this photo of David N. Baker, Jr. & Josef Gingold, two musical geniuses who immeasurably impacted who I am as a violinist & teacher.

DNB started me on my jazz journey when I was eight years old through weekly lessons centered around transcribing, jamming, & tune learning - a way of gaining stylistic fluency he’d learned via his own experiences as a phenominal musician & composer, as well as from his colleagues’ & mentors’, including JJ Johnson, Bob Brookmeyer, & George Russell.

Josef Gingold took me on when I was twelve & for four years was my musical & technical guru through the classical repertoire he’d so brilliantly played as a soloist, chamber musician, & concertmaster, artistry he’d achieved through his work w/ such musicians as Eugene Ysaÿe, Arturo Toscanini, & George Szell.

Grateful for these two whose love for music, community, connection, & teaching helped me find my path in life - & to my parents whose love for & support of their daughters’ musical adventures made these opportunities possible. #davidnbaker #josefgingold #mentors

Ever & always a joy making music with these friend

Ever & always a joy making music with these friends & brilliant musicians. Thanks to @ike.sturm for bringing these groups together this week & to both Greg Wall / @jazzfc2020 & Victoria Sheilds / @sjtlscarsdale for having us 🙏🏼 @jesselewismusic @jschonig @godwinloue @jjwrightmusic @_erinsheahogan_ @alexbrownmusic #jazzmass #jazzatthepost

A number of folk have reached out to me recently a

A number of folk have reached out to me recently asking for recommendations of summer jazz workshops open to string players or summer strings workshops with a jazz component. Here are a handful I’ve either attended, taught for, or know of, though this is in no way a comprehensive list. Please be sure to post any jazz string-friendly camps I missed - would love for us to pool together our camp knowledge! 🎻 It’s worth noting I’ve found many jazz workshops welcoming to string students even though there may not be a dedicated jazz violinist/violist/cellist on faculty - if a particular jazz camp sounds interesting to you, be sure to inquire!

@theswannanoagathering
Swannanoa (NC)
(I’ll be teaching at Fiddle Week)
https://swangathering.com/our-programs/fiddle-week/

@berkleecollege Global Strings Program
Boston (MA)
https://summer.berklee.edu/programs/global-string-program

@stanfordjazz
Stanford (CA)
https://stanfordjazz.org

@jazz_house_kids
NYC / Montclair (NJ)
https://jazzhousekids.org/programs/summer/

@caseydriessen ‘s @blueridgefiddlecamp Brevard (NC)
https://www.blueridgefiddlecamp.com

@christianhowesviolinist ’s Creative Strings Workshop
Asheville (NC)
https://christianhowes.com/creative-strings-asheville-extension/

@mikeblockstringcamp
Vero Beach (FL)
https://www.mikeblockstringcamp.com

@julielyonn ‘s Strings Without Boundaries
Easthampton (MA)
https://www.stringswithoutboundaries.com/about-2/

@bigsurfiddlecamp
Big Sur (CA)
https://www.bigsurfiddlecamp.org

@liveoakfiddlecamp
Hallettsville (TX)
https://liveoakfiddlecamp.com

Django in June
Northampton (MA)
https://djangoinjune.com/artists/

@centrumfoundation ‘s Red Hot Strings
Port Townsend (WA)
https://centrum.org/program/red-hot-strings/

Such an awesome time last week hanging/collaborati

Such an awesome time last week hanging/collaborating with the @usouthflorida Jazz Studies students & faculty! Special thanks to @trombrantley & the @usf_som for inviting me to be part of this special gathering & all they did to make it happen, to @chuckowen54 , @laruenickelson , & @rossstrausermusic for their brilliant artistry & pedagogy, to USF Jazz Ensemble I for their dedication & hard work in preparing this challenging program (y’all rocked it! 🔥), & to @jclaireb3 for her behind-the-scenes magic. #gobulls #usfjazz

Hello, Tampa! ☀️ I’ll be at the @usouthflori

Hello, Tampa! ☀️ I’ll be at the @usouthflorida with long-time friends/colleagues @laruenickelson , @chuckowen54 & @trombrantley for two days of workshops, rehearsals, & a performance with the USF Jazz Ensemble Thursday night (FREE, 7:30pm). The program will feature Chuck’s compositions/arrangements + two new works by @rossstrausermusic - come hang with us if you’re in the area!

Back in Brooklyn following an amazing week at the

Back in Brooklyn following an amazing week at the @moabmusicfest ‘s Winterlude with @pascalleboeuf ‘s Ritual Being (@nick_photinos / @michaelwdavis ). Many thanks to Chelsea, Erin, Josie, @tessalark , the Winterlude family, & the Moab community for all they did to make this gathering so memorable. And a big thank you to Pascal (who just won his 1st GRAMMY Sunday!! 🎉) for bringing us together to play his incredible music 🙏🏼

© 2025 Sara Caswell
Photos by Emma Mead & Luke Marantz & Shervin Lainez
Website by Ellanyze

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