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Sarah Slean

  • Home
  • Music
    • Composing & Arranging
    • Film & TV
    • Singer-Songwriter
  • About
  • News
  • Tour
  • Art
  • Store
    • Sheet Music
    • Livestreams
“One of the most compelling acts Canada has to offer.”

— TIME magazine Canada

About

Signed to Atlantic/Warner Records at the tender age of 19, three-time Juno nominee and modern-day Renaissance woman Sarah Slean has since released 11 albums in over 10 countries worldwide – but perhaps the most astonishing aspect of her artistry is its breadth. Over her 25-year career, Slean has published two volumes of poetry, starred in short films and a movie musical (spawning two Gemini Award nominations), penned two string quartets and other chamber works, held numerous exhibitions of her paintings, and shared the stage with 10 of the country’s professional orchestras. Classically trained from the age of 5, she routinely collaborates with cutting-edge contemporary classical ensembles like The Art of Time, and has been invited to sing world premieres by Canada’s leading living composers.  She is also a recent alumna of the prestigious Candian Film Centre's screen composing  residency. 

Citing such diverse influences as Leonard Bernstein, philosophy, Joni Mitchell, Buddhism and Bach, her music borrows aspects of cabaret,  pop, and orchestral: all knit together by the startling poetry of her lyrics, unique arranging and piano-playing, and that voice, described by the CBC as “a 19th century Kate Bush”.  In addition to headlining theatres across Canada, Sarah has also toured Europe, the US and Scandinavia and has opened internationally for such artists as Bryan Ferry, Rufus Wainwright, Alanis Morissette, Andrew Bird, Feist, Ron Sexsmith, and Chris Isaak. "Metaphysics", released in 2017, is described as a "breathtaking amalgamation of Slean’s dramatic orchestral arranging and her signature take on songwriting". In 2021-2022, Sarah will be composing the music for the stage musical adaptation of the award-winning film "Maudie". 


“Metaphysics is a tour de force.”

— NUVO Magazine

“Breathtakingly compelling, evocative and immersively lush new album…”

— Music Life Magazine

“…this is Slean’s masterpiece.”

— The Montreal Gazette, on Land & Sea

“An ambitious new double album that soars”

— Maclean’s Magazine, on Land & Sea


AWARDS AND DISTINCTIONS 

Fleck Fellowship - Banff Centre for the Arts, 2019 
Canadian Film Centre - Composing Residency, 2017-8
Sirius XM Indie Award nom – Female Artist of the Year, 2013 
Canada Council Composing Grants, 2010, 2009
JUNO Award nom – Best Adult Alternative Album, 2009 
JUNO Award nom – Best Adult Alternative Album, 2004 
JUNO Award nom – Best New Artist, 2002 
Toronto Arts Council Composing Grants, 2020, 2010 
Ontario Arts Council Grants, 2017, 2015, 2009
GEMINI Award nom – Best Performance in a Performing Arts Series or Special, 2006 
GEMINI Award nom – Best Performance in a Performing Arts Special, 2005 
EYE magazine – Best Musician, 2006, 2005 
NOW magazine – Best Songwriter, 2003, 2002, Best Female Vocalist, 2003


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