Sasha Masakowski Explained

Sasha Masakowski
Birth Place:	New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Genre:	Jazz
Occupation:	Singer
Years Active:	1990s–present
Label:	Ropeadope

Sasha Masakowski (born 1986) is an American jazz singer.^[1] She was born in New Orleans and is the daughter of jazz guitarist Steve Masakowski^{[2] [3]} and concert pianist Ulrike Antonie Sprenger.^[4] She heard jazz at an early age due to her father's association with Ellis Marsalis Jr.

She attended the University of New Orleans, where her father led the Jazz Studies department.^[5]

She names as influences Bobby McFerrin, Rachelle Ferrell, and Flora Purim. She performs in the Masakowski Family Band with her father and her brother Martin, who plays bass and is part of her Art Market band. Her debut album Wishes (Hypersoul, 2011) was recorded with and produced by pianist James Westfall.^[6]

Awards and honors

• Nominated Best Female Vocalist and Best Emerging Artist, Offbeat magazine, 2009

Discography

• Wishes (Hypersoul, 2011)
• Old Green River (2015)
• Hildegard with Hildegard (2015)
• N.O. Escape with Masakowski Family (2016)^[7]
• Art Market (Ropeadope, 2018)
• Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas with Masakowski Family (2020)

As guest

• Irvin Mayfield, New Orleans Jazz Playhouse (Basin Street, 2015)
• Now vs. Now, The Buffering Cocoon (Jazzland, 2018)
• Nicholas Payton, Quarantined with Nick (Paytone, 2020)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Milano . Brett . Sasha Masakowski, Art Market (Ropeadope) . OffBeat Magazine . 13 August 2019 . 30 May 2018.
2. Web site: Sasha Masakowski . www.kennedy-center.org . 13 August 2019.
3. Web site: Tilton . Ann Marshall . My New Orleans: 20 Questions with Sasha Masakowski . GoNOLA.com . 13 August 2019 . 16 October 2013.
4. Web site: Gilbert . Andrew . Singer Sasha Masakowski brings her famous family to SF concerts . The Mercury News . 22 October 2023 . 1 June 2022.
5. Web site: Haines . Matt . Jazz Deepens Bond Between New Orleans Father & Daughter . VOA . 22 October 2023 . en . 16 June 2020.
6. Web site: Bilawsky . Dan . Sasha Masakowski and Musical Playground: Wishes album review @ All About Jazz . All About Jazz . 22 October 2023 . en . 26 July 2011.
7. Web site: Masakowski Family: N.O. Escape . C. Michael . Bailey . . 2017-03-26 . 2019-02-25.