Sacha Dobson Although originally from Santa Cruz, California, where she grew up singing jazz professionally from the age of 16, Sasha Dobson, 26, now lives in New York City, performing original songs (by her and her band) in clubs around the Lower East Side. Her debut album, Modern Romance, a fusion of Brazilian groove/pop/jazz/American songbook, will be released on Secret Sun Recordings, the new label of singer/songwriter Jesse Harris. Harris produced the album along with singer/songwriter Richard Julian, and both contributed guitar work and songwriting. Tony Scherr (Bill Frisell, Willie Nelson) plays electric bass and Mauro Refosco (Bebel Gilberto, David Byrne) percussion.

“Modern Romance” features thirteen songs including eleven originals, and an uncanny pair of covers: The Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ “Modern Romance” and the Duke Ellington standard “Mood Indigo.” The album, a fusion of Brazilian groove, pop and jazz showcases Dobson’s seasoned vocal ability and captures the very heart of an artist who simultaneously respects tradition and upends convention.