Last month I had the terrific opportunity to photograph the very talented singer/songwriter, Sarah Jarosz. Sarah captivated adoring fans old and likely new with her unique blend of music as she and her band opened the final segment of her Polaroid Lovers tour at the beautiful Southern Theatre in Columbus, Ohio.
Sarah’s Music: Jarosz’s style over the course of her discography has tended toward Americana, Folk, and Bluegrass all highlighted by intricate melodies and poignant lyrics. Her latest effort, Polaroid Lovers, finds her stepping out of her comfort zone and picking up the pace quite a bit with singles, “Jealous Moon”, “Runaway Train”, and “Take the High Road.” Sarah herself has commented on the shift with her latest release when she said, “This whole album reminded me that I never want to play it safe. If anything, I want there to always be that element of being a little scared, because that means I’m taking a risk.” Fans will agree, the risk was well worth it!
Touring Band: Although her band alternated members throughout the late summer tour, Columbus fans experienced the fabulous configuration of Seth Taylor on guitar, Eric Doob on Drums, and husband/bassist Jeff Picker. Each member brought their own flair, creating a rich mix of sound that perfectly complemented Jarosz’s vocals and multi-instrumental (Guitar, mandolin, octave mandolin, banjo) prowess. After playing banjo on “Annabelle Lee” Jarosz joked, “I promise to bring the banjo out again later!”
Career Highlights: Sarah burst onto the scene with her debut album, Song Up in Her Head, in 2009, which earned her a Grammy nomination for the instrumental “Mansinneedof.” Over the years, she has released several critically acclaimed albums, including Build Me Up from Bones which received multiple Grammy nominations and Undercurrent, which won two Grammy’s; Best Folk Album and Best Americana Roots Performance for the single “House of Mercy.”
Collaborations: Besides her solo work, Jarosz is a founding member of the folk supergroup I’m With Her, alongside Sara Watkins from the Progressive Bluegrass staple, Nickle Creek, and Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Aoife O’Donovan. The trio released their debut album, See You Around, in 2018.
Performance Highlights: The stunningly beautiful Southern Theatre was a perfect backdrop for an evening of Sarah’s music. As expected, the set covered much of Jarosz’s current release, but fans were treated to a great smattering of past hits including “Maggie,” “Build Me Up From Bones,” “Annabelle Lee,” and Tom Petty cover, “Time to Move On.” In addition, Sarah introduced the audience for the first time to one of her latest pieces, “Wildflowers In The Sky” which has since been released along with “Just Like Paradise” on the expanded version of Polaroid Lovers. Lastly, an unexpected surprise came near the end of the night when Jarosz, without instrument and holding the microphone, gave a mesmerizing rendition of Massive Attack’s “Teardrop.”
I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the wonderful set of music from opening artists, Viv & Riley in support of their latest release, Imaginary People.
In summary, Sarah Jarosz’s concert was a testament to her artistry and the enduring appeal of her music. Her ability to blend genres and create deeply resonant songs makes her a standout in the contemporary music scene. If you have the chance to see her live, it’s an experience not to be missed.
Midwest Riff Review 