Sandy Cressman

Biography

San Francisco-based Vocalist Sandy Cressman has built a long career in  the Jazz, Latin and World Music scene. Born in New York City, but raised from childhood in the San Francisco Bay Area, Sandy began studying jazz while attending U.C. Berkeley in the early ’80s as a French major. After spending a year in France, she returned to the Bay Area and helped assemble the four-woman vocal group Pastiche. At first modeled on the Manhattan Transfer, Pastiche evolved over several years into a jazz/pop ensemble drawing on a wide range of vocal styles.  Sandy recorded and performed with Pastiche domestically and internationally, before ultimately honing her passion for Brazilian jazz. 

Sandy’s deep love for Brazilian music led her to found the band "Homenagem Brasileira" in 1998. Her warm and sensuous voice has earned followers in the United States, Europe, Japan, and Brazil, inspiring audiences with her expressive phrasing and song interpretation. Over the years, she has released three critically acclaimed CDs that have garnered well-deserved praise: "Homenagem Brasileira,""Brasil-Sempre no Coração," and "Entre Amigos," collaborating with important contemporary Brazilian musicians and composers.

Cressman’s CD, “Entre Amigos” features all original music she composed with notable collaborators such as  Jovino Santos Neto, Antonio Adolfo, Ian Faquini, and more. The CD was recorded in Brazil, Germany and the U.S.  Sandy and her husband trombonist Jeff Cressman followed up the release of “Entre Amigos” with a second tour of Brazil, sponsored by the U.S. State Department and the Paço do Frevo in Recife, and collaborating with SpokFrevo Orquestra. 

In 2023, Cressman was awarded an Artist Grant by the San Francisco Arts Council in order to produce the show “Cantos do Povo: the Music of Milton Nascimento”.  This grant led to the production of a show with music and dance, which was performed at SFJAZZ Center, Jerry Garcia Amphitheatre, and the Monterey Jazz Festival.   Intermusic SF also awarded Cressman a grant to support recording the music from the Nascimento project, which will be released in 2026.

Sandy's compelling vocals have graced recordings by a diverse array of artists, including Ray Obiedo, Pete Escovedo, Jai Uttal, and most recently, Taj Mahal. Aside from regular performances with her group Homenagem Brasileira, Sandy  regularly performs with Ray Obiedo, Jai Uttal and key appearances with Taj Mahal, including a 4 night run at SFJAZZ Center in 2023 and the upcoming Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise 2025.  Her profound love for languages and world music styles has made her a highly sought-after session vocalist, particularly in the realms of Latin and World Music.  (See her extensive discography below).

Through her exceptional artistry, Sandy Cressman has become a revered figure in the jazz and Brazilian music communities. Her ability to blend cultural influences and deliver soul-stirring performances continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

Cressman teaches at the California Jazz Conservatory in Berkeley, California, the Nueva School in the San Francisco Bay Area, and has taught at Stanford Jazz Workshop, Jazz Camp West, Voice Conference Munich, and various workshops and Vocal Intensives in the US, Europe and Brazil. 

Sandy Cressman

Discography

With Homenagem Brasileira:

Entre Amigos (Cressman Music) 2018

Brasil, Sempre no Coração (Cressman Music) 2005

Homenagem Brasileira(A Records)1999

With Renegade Queens:

Salsa de la Bahia Vol. III (2025, Patois Records)
 

With Pastiche:

Pastiche (Summit Records) 2001

Remember That (BluePrint Records) 1990

That’s R&Bebop(Pony/Canyon/Nova), 1987

Sandy has lent her vocals to a number of notable artists'

recordings, including:
 

Taj Mahal – Savoy (2023 Stony Plain Records)

Natalie Cressman & Ian Faquini- Guinga (2024 Cressman Music)

Ray Obiedo — Latin Jazz Project Vol 1, Sweet Summer Days, Sticks and Stones, Iguana, Windham Hill Records) and Modern World (Domo Records)

Jai Uttal and the Pagan Love Orchestra--Dust & Tears - Hanuman Chalisa for World Peace, Dust and Tears, Psalm, Thunder Love, Live: Kirtan and Pagan Remixes, Mondo Rama, Roots, Rock, Rama….and more

Ian Faquini & Paula Santoro- Metal na Madeira 

Akira Tana and Friends, featuring Arturo Sandoval and Branford Marsalis--Bossa Nova Dreams-(Vega Records 2011)

Columna B — Cuba Without Borders

Michael Spiro-- Bata Mbira, 

Pete Escovedo — Flying South (Concord Crossover Records)

Marion Meadows - -Next to You (Heads Up Records)

Tom Grant — Tune In (Windham Hill Records)

Candela — 20 Años de Sabor, Madre Rumba Padre Son (PanCaliente Records) and Ilusiones (Orfeo Records, Uruguay)

Consuelo Luz — Dezeo

Eddie Money — Can’t Hold Back (CBS Records)

Neal Schon — Late Nite (CBS Records)

Jonathan Cain--Back to the Innocence 

Damien — Intercambio (Good Omen Records)

Prince Ayo — Dancing to Africa (Polygram Nigeria)

Music for Little People--numerous children’s recordings

And many, many more….