Elspeth Savani and the Savani Latin Jazz Quartet

Savani Latin Jazz stepping out with their original blend of latin jazz. Traditional rhythms of Cuba and South America are given flight with jazz arrangements that highlight the improvisatory prowess of the musicians. The songs breathe with a deep lyricism, inviting the audience into a rich and unpredictable musical landscape, where cha-cha-cha, waltz and swing meet like old friends on the dance floor.

Singer/ director Elspeth Savani earned a BA in Music from Wesleyan University. Her first significant encounter with Cuban music was an epiphany. The rhythmic counterpoint and call-and-response singing was exciting and powerful, and in the ensuing weeks Elspeth put her classical voice training aside in order to focus on congas, Cuban dance, folkloric Cuban song, and Spanish language.

The Savani Latin Jazz Quartet began as a City Artist grant-funded endeavor under the mentorship of Brazilian jazz pianist and composer, Jovino Santos Neto in 2009. Since then Elspeth has been exploring an expanded world of latin music and jazz, which allows her to draw on a wide breadth of styles and vocal colors.

In 2007 and 2011, Elspeth received Earshot Jazz nominations for “Best Emerging Artist” and “Best Northwest Jazz Vocalist”, respectively, and is the recipient of several City Artist and 4 Culture Arts grants.

The Savani Latin Jazz Quartet is Julio Jauregui, the NW region’s preeminent latin jazz pianist and arranger, Jeff Busch (drumset, percussion), known for his work with Jovino Santos Neto, Entre Mundos and Patrinell Wright, to name a few, and Ben Verdier (bass), sought-after salsa, latin and jazz bassist and pianist who can be heard with Cambalache and Sonando among others.