Singer/songwriter offers a slice of serenity

Photo by Rodel Studios, Seattle

SAVANNAH SINGS. Local singer/songwriter Savannah performs at the Swiss on Aug. 5.

Savannah is a bright new light on the local music scene, an artist with a strong voice, good original material and an ability to put a unique spin on cover tunes.

Savannah was born in Seattle in 1989. Her family moved around the Puget Sound area several times before moving to Kenmore when she was 11. She graduated from Kenmore High School. She is now attending Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) where she plans to graduate in 2011. She is majoring in photography and minoring in music. She opted not to major in music because at PLU the music program emphasizes classical music.

“I am not going to be an opera singer or a classical composer,” she commented.

Savannah began singing Disney songs at age 2. She took music lessons during her childhood. At 9 she began performing at Auburn Avenue Dinner Theater, where she would sing as an opening act before the plays began. She sang at a wedding at 12. For these early performances she would sing and be backed up by karaoke tracks. She sang in choirs at school. At 15 her mother bought her a guitar and a friend showed her how to play.

In December 2008 she began recording her debut album, “Reaching Serenity.” It was released last summer. The musicians on the album were people she met at school. One tune was recorded at SLJ Studios in Los Angeles and the remainder were recorded at Avast Studios in Seattle.

She began performing this material at local venues last year. Savannah considers herself a newcomer to the scene and approaches shows as learning opportunities.

“Every time you perform you learn how to play to a crowd,” she said. “I am slowly realizing how to interact with an audience with each performance.”

Savannah covers “Hallelujah,” a song written by Canadian singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen that he released on an album in 1984. It has since been covered by numerous artists. Savannah is a fan of the version the late Jeff Buckley recorded in 1994.

She likes the fact it is a somewhat well known song, but not too much so. She got the sheet music and felt it was a good fit for her voice. When she began performing it live several people suggested she include it on her album.

Another cover is “Can’t Help Falling In Love With You,” written by Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore and George Weiss. Elvis Presley scored a big hit with it in 1961, when he sang it in the movie “Blue Hawaii.” Savannah started playing it at age 16.

“I have always been a big fan of that song. Older people connect with it, as do younger people. Everyone can relate to it.”

It contains one more cover, “Birth of the Blues” by R.G. Sylvia and Lew Brown. She wrote or co-wrote the seven other tracks.

Her songwriting process begins with guitar parts. Her lyrics are usually inspired by “intense emotions, positive or negative.” Some take a while to complete, while others she does in an hour.

“Reaching Serenity” was released on local label Maurice The Fish Records. Savannah was taking martial arts lessons and her teacher introduced her to another student, Raymond Hayden, who owns the label. “He is a wealth of information,” she said of Hayden. “He has been a huge mentor to me. He is such a sweet man.”

Another mentor is Enrique Henao, a classical guitarist, singer and philanthropist. He inspired Savannah to make a difference in the world with her music. She would like to play benefit shows to raise money for worthy causes.

“Music is such a universal and powerful thing,” she said. “Why not use it to accomplish good things.”

Her music contains elements of several genres, including pop and country. Savannah’s musical tastes are diverse, from a cappella to John Mayer. She even used to do hip-hop dancing. She feels this is reflected in the music she writes.

Savannah is working on another project, a jazz group with her singing, a pianist, drummer and upright bassist.

Her family is very supportive of her musical endeavors.

“My mom is my biggest fan,” she said. “She has always believed in me and keeps pushing me.”

Savannah was invited by the Tacoma Rainiers to perform the national anthem at the July 3 game. The baseball team always draws a big crowd that evening for the annual fireworks extravaganza that follows the game. “That was an awesome experience,” she remarked.

Savannah plays the Swiss on Aug. 5 for a Maurice The Fish artist showcase. She will perform at 8 p.m. On Sept. 15 she will perform at Mandolin Café at 7 p.m. with other female artists on the label.

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