December 2023 Concert Program

About Our Soloists – Sandra Marlowe and Ted Sanchez

With a rare versatility in timbre and range, a keen ear, and expressive interpretations that mesh telling a story with jazz sensibilities, acclaimed vocalist Sandra Marlow brings warmth, finesse, power, sass, and an occasional “Edge of your seat” surprise to the stage. Marlowe’s musical background spans classical, opera, theater, pop, sacred, big band, swing and jazz. She arrived front and center in 2012 with a debut jazz CD,

“True Blue,” an eclectic collection of sumptuous standards (with renowned pianist Larry Dunlap) that received critical praise and international play. A member of ASCAP, she has released two originals, “Where Is Bethlehem?” and “A Sweet Wind,” with another full-length recording project in development. Marlowe has performed in concerts and clubs on the West Coast and at U.S. festivals, including the Great Connecticut Jazz Festival, Big Bear Lake Jazz Festival, Sacramento Jazz Jubilee, Jazz in the Olympics, Palos Verdes Jazz Festival, and San Jose Jazz Summer Fest. She teaches voice and performance through private practice and workshops and is a sought-after vocal coach for vocal groups/bands and a director for theater companies.

Singer-entertainer Ted Sanchez has been affiliated with the 22-piece South Bay String Band for many years as their lead vocalist. He studied voice at San Jose State University and engineering at De Anza College. He cites Chuck Myer and Gayle Glines as particular influences on his musical career. Glines invited Ted to sing the National Anthem at the Gilroy Special Olympics in the early 1980s; he continued to sing at that event for 16 years.

He has performed multiple times at the Gilroy Garlic Festival. He also fronts a four-piece ensemble, Ted Sanchez and Friends, and performs solo acoustic guitar.