There is much to gain in collaborations between musicians from different generations. The younger receives an education, lessons in history, technique and taste that only experience can provide, while the older can utilize the youthful energy and drive, challenging themselves further.
The legendary pianist Ran Blake has long been known as a unique and eloquent stylist, his style ranging from the evocative to romantic to avant-garde. He is also known as a tremendous and supportive accompanist to vocalists. Sara Serpa is a vocalist of a much younger generation, who approaches the songs of the American songbook, music from her native Portugal, and her own original material with equal expertise.

Since their initial meeting, Blake and Serpa have focused on developing a rapport, learning each other’s performance habits and tastes, mainly by rehearsing standards and discussing their interests. Naturally, some focus was placed on Blake’s fascination with classic movies, especially film noir. His interest has developed an esthetic that can be heard in his playing and in the material he chooses, which has focused on standards and show tunes made classics by vocalists in the 1940s and 1950s.  Ran Blake and Sara Serpa have developed a partnership of incredible empathy which can only be developed through trust and regular meetings.

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WHAT THE PRESS SAYS:

“Fragile, tranquil and dreamlike, together Sara Serpa and Ran Blake explore the delicate side of jazz’s avant-garde.” Pop Matters

“..the charm of this duo resounds in the playful voice of Sara Serpa and the cinephile piano of Ran Blake. Together they listen, converse, improvise and dream with confidence..” Les Inrocks