Sarah Machan is a singer-songwriter born and raised in Simcoe County. Coming from a musical family, she started learning the chops at an early age. However, the real turning point in her life happened when she had to undergo a fourteen-hour scoliosis back repair surgery at the tender age of thirteen. “I realized music was the only thing that helped with the pain, and writing songs became my therapy,” she says.

As if on cue, Sarah had the good fortune of meeting a key mentor in her life, world renowned bassist, composer and producer, Stuart Steinhart. From those origins has emerged a most generative relationship that is giving rise to an unique fusion of jazz and pop that has all the markings of a star in the making.

Sarah’s songs are minimalist, but warm and personal. Accompanying her own voice with vibrant, jazzy chords and elegant, catchy melodies, she draws effortlessly from many genres and eras in a way that is distinctively her own. Lyrically, she is straightforward and honest, taking hold of the listener directly as though it’s always one-on-one. No surprise, considering the fact that Emily Haines, Adele, and Stevie Nicks are among her top influences.

 For now, Sarah is hard at work polishing and recording her songs. At only 22, she has songwriting talent and musical chops beyond her years. She is also playing live at every opportunity. Her previous gigs include Oakville Jazz Festival, Couchiching Conservancy Fundraiser and opening for the well-known Canadian rock band Theory of a Deadman at the Sound Empire.