Sharel Cassity
Alto 1

Virtuoso saxophonist and Jazz Legacy Productions recording artist Sharel Cassity tours the world performing creative, straight-ahead jazz to the delight of fans, critics, and herself. "This is why I am here - to be a working jazz musician. It's the reason I get up in the morning... what more could I want?" Cassity's fervor has brought rewards in the form of international performances with IAJE Sisters In Jazz and Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead, and receipt of the 2008 ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award.

Holding the Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from New School University and The Juilliard School respectively, Cassity draws upon the polish and discipline of her conservatory training to augment her "beautiful, highly-personal tone" (Benny Green) and informed approach. "...this altoist's flights are positively Bird-like" (Jazziz Magazine).

As a leader, Cassity has enchanted Manhattan's notoriously discriminating audiences at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, NBC's Rainbow Room, and the legendary West Village bop stop Smalls. Cassity's experience as a sideman ranges from the big bands of DIVA, Jimmy Heath, Roy Hargrove and the Dizzy Gillespie All Stars to the small groups of Harry Whitaker, Ingrid Jensen, Mark Whitfield and the Dizzy All Star Sextet.

A talented woodwind specialist, Cassity is often called to perform on clarinet, flute, alto flute and piccolo as well as soprano, tenor and baritone saxophones when necessary. Her versatility has secured concerts at the Playboy Jazz Festival, Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival, Costa Rica Jazz Festival, Hannover [Germany] Jazz Festival, Avery Fischer Hall, Merkin Concert Hall and with the Ureke Symphony Orchestra.

Currently based in New York City, Sharel Cassity is originally from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. A committed educator, Cassity's private studio is in its eighth year. She is also a teaching artist for the NY Pops Salute to Music program.

Sharel plays RS Berkeley Virtuoso saxophones exclusively.
Sharel plays Lebayle mouthpieces exclusively on soprano.

Visit Sharel's website.