Chelsea Baratz Saxophonist from New York City, NY

There's a new voice on the saxophone, forged in the gritty steel town of Pittsburgh. Her name is Chelsea Baratz and at 24, her soulful sound is a fiery combination of be-bop swing and hip hop hooks. Her debut release "In Faith" illuminates the distinctive tenor of an emerging player and original composer. She's a band leader whose music follows in the footsteps of 1960's soul jazz and the hard bop roots of her hometown. Innovative and ear-bending with a sizzling originality to her horn, Baratz's music is heartfelt, simple in its power to bridge quiet moments with bursts of fiery improvisation. When she picks up her saxophone, the soul of her own life comes alive. It's a reflection of the obstacles she's overcome and provides a backbone to her music. On "In Faith", it's evident that she is no stranger to pain, struggle, love and loss. These experiences are gracefully embued in her music. Her debut album, "In Faith", produced by trumpeter Maurice Brown, brings this powerful message home. Baratz's inventive sound and vibe carries forward the past echoes of Pittsburgh's gospel, blues and soul heritage into the present day. On "In Faith", she catches the ear of listeners with nine original compositions, ending with a Fela Kuti tribute. Nine songs with the weight of conscious, as well as a propulsive beat. Compositions that reveal the young artist's strong roots in the jazz tradition while incorporating influences from R&B, hip-hop, gospel, contemporary jazz, and blues. Her first album as a band leader displays a confident artist who intuitively gathered the right musicians together in the studio to cultivate her distinctive sound, resulting in a "recommended pick" by & 2 "Artist 2 Watch" features with Skope Magazine. In addition to working under her own name, Baratz maintains a busy schedule, performing and recording with The Maurice Brown Effect, Nicholas Payton, Orrin Evans, Chris Rob, the Revive Da Live Big Band, Mobetta & Soul'd U Out, Om'mas Keith, and Sean Jones & the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra.