'Desert Song' // by säje

GRAMMY Award® winning vocal supergroup, säje, perform their very first original composition "Desert Song". Nominated for a GRAMMY Award® in the Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals category, this was the first song ever released by the group, and their only song at the time of their nomination.

säje is: Sara Gazarek, Amanda Taylor, Johnaye Kendrick, and Erin Bentlage.

Featuring: Adam Levy, guitar; Anna Butterss, bass.

"Desert Song" was written by säje, and arranged by Erin Bentlage with Amanda Taylor, and Johnaye Kendrick/Sara Gazarek. Audio and video recorded by Ricky Chavez/Buckets Moving Company; video edited by Ricky Chavez; audio mixed by Lynne Earls; mastered by Chris Allen. Recorded Feb 29th, 2020 at the Blue Whale in Los Angeles, CA. "Desert Song" artwork and säje logo by Cecile McLorin Salvant.

“säje is blazing a new trail for female composers and performers in the jazz world”
-- Micah Hendler, Forbes

“...[säje is] taking the vocal jazz ensemble into the 21st century.”
-- Abe Beeson, KNKX/NPR

“...transcendent music.”
-- DownBeat Magazine

“We wrote 'Desert Song' together last year, at our very first retreat in Palm Springs. That weekend was actually the first time all four women were in a room together, so we spent the time cooking and swimming, sharing stories, and collectively falling in love with one another. But we also wrote this song. And we conceived of how we wanted to shape this collective, what we wanted it to stand for, and how we would share it with the world. In ‘Desert Song’ the ocean is meant to represent the masculine relationships we used to turn to for validation, and arriving at the desert signifies the empowerment and love we feel by leaning into the strength and femininity of this group.”

Lyrics :
I bet when you see the ocean
You’re drawn to the strength inside the waves
But if you get caught within the ocean
The undertow will let you lose your way

I bet when you reach the ocean
Can’t wait to sink your toes into the sand
Instead you will sink into the ocean
And watch your heart pulled slowly from your hands

She’s calling, She’s calling
She’s calling, She’s calling

Someday you will reach the desert
Held by the warmth within the skies
Breathe in the exhale of the desert
And see your self reflected in her eyes

The moment you reach the desert (you realize)
She’s been singing a song of life and love
And to your surprise you’re singing with the desert
You’ve always known the words to sing along
You have a voice, You’re coming home, where you belong

She’s calling, She’s calling
She’s calling, She’s calling

[pianofan]

You know a song is right when you get the chills.

[robertwrightfonseca]

I was born and raised in the high deserts of California. Ive always found the areas surrounding my hometown to be incredibly haunting and majestic all and the same. I also grew up an hour or so from the beach, and it’s beautiful too, but there is something specific and desperate about the desert that just makes it more magical. I miss my hometown, and I miss the desert, but this song makes me feel more at peace, and it’s the first song in my life that has been able to describe how it feels to be in the desert. It’s the first song in my life I’ve heard about the beauty the desert has to offer, and the story it tells, and the song it sings. Thank you for this. I’ll never forget it.

[okolekahuna]

Their blend, timbre and intonation is incredible.

[mradford]

I just found the sound my heart makes when I stand on the ocean at sunset, hold a hand in the morning, watch birds glide over my back deck and daydream out the window on long road trips… beautiful.

[josiedukes]

I'm so incredibly proud of these ladies and their Grammy nomination still has me SPEECHLESS!
(AND I'M NOT JUST SAYING THIS BECAUSE JOHNAYE IS MY SISTER 🥰)

[rsolgraves]

this is the kind of music the angels like

[sugrnspyce]

This song reminds me so much of The Free Design. Absolutely beautiful. I just can't get over how warm and seamless their harmonies are.

[singing]

I've listened to this over and over last night and this morning I'm waking up with it ~ this is healing, this is magic, this is so beautiful!

[PinkAxolotl]

This was performed at NAU last night at Jazz Mad 2022

[scryspjce]

so surprised these ladies arent selling out stadiums. what a gem ive found today! my ears are blessed

[ellab]

so lucky to have had such an amazing group talk to my choir, they mentioned that we should try to sound more like one another and I had no idea they meant it so literally

[martinkennedy]

So, so, so beautiful. Anxiously waiting for their new Cd to arrive!

[elmerexpress]

This is one fine piece of music!
It combines virtuosity and musicality of the singers that I haven't heard since CSNY.
No instrument can match the sound of pure voices.
Go, girls, go!

[eadmproductions]

Their voices is of angelic, vibrations, energy, and frequency. They are all on synchronization harmonies amazing. Amazing. Amazing. Never heard such a amazing blend.

[RockandRollWoman]

Wow! Beautiful!
Got here via Jack Conte at Professional Musicians React (now Dead Wax).

[JoanLBlack]

So incredibly beautiful! I just saw them last night and their voices touched my soul. If you get a chance to see them grab it….they do not disappoint!❤

[bengundersheimer]

Stunning. The composition, the vocal arrangement, the group interaction...four perfect minutes of music.

[tomdchi]

An amazing visit to a place that can only exist in music.

[imnost]

Not much raises the hair on my arms these days, but this - your blend, tonality, synchronicity - did it and makes me want more.

[arthurbristol]

I think YouTube directed me to this song because I watched Jack Conte rave on the Pomplamoose channel. Jack was right. YouTube hit the jackpot, and I heard some delicious chord choices while sensitive singers made it sound pretty on a nice recording with an elegant arrangement. I'd love to hear a live performance at a university in a tile floor lecture hall or choir room.