Sarah Hayes

Vocalist and Bandleader, Sarah Hayes has been at the forefront of New York’s music scene for the last 15 years- Performing Jazz and Swinging Standards with numerous bands and orchestras, lighting up New York's finest Jazz Clubs and wowing internationally with her vibrant voice, song stylings, enormous repertoire and sunny personality.

Whether performances at the Montreal Jazz festival, Weekly shows in NYC, Crystal World Cruises, Concerts and Special Events or touring the country with The Artie Shaw Orchestra, (A position once held by Billie Holiday), Sarah brings the party to the party!

Sarah’s singing career started at the tender age of 5 in her hometown talent show in beautiful Monticello, Florida. She belted out her own bluesy rendition of "Oh John the Rabbit" complete with backup singers. Hearing the applause she was hooked.

After studying musical theatre in College. Sarah found her way as Marilyn Monroe in the Universal Studio’s Hollywood Legend’s show. At Universal and Disney’s MGM Studios, both in Orlando, she also sang as Carmen Miranda with her Latin Big Band and Disney's Hoop Dee Doo Revue Show.

While in Orlando, Sarah performed with 1920s -style big band, The Coconut Manor Orchestra.
Eventually starting her own 1920s -1930s band, "Sarah Hayes & The Prohibition Playboys". Followed by another swing band focusing on tunes from the 1930s and 1940s. "Red Hot Kitty & The Alley Cats", her retro Swing band traveled around the country, playing music halls, casinos and resorts for several years.

Sarah spent three wonderful summers at Michigan's Landmark, Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. Performing nightly with the hotel’s orchestra, building her repertoire. And in 2003, moved to NYC.

Sarah has had the distinction of working with some of New York's finest musicians including dear friend, the late Benny Powell, Les Paul,Tommy C. James, Ken Peplowski, Steve Williams, Dick Hyman, CANDIDO, John Colianni, Jay Leonhart, Joe Cohn, Lee Musiker, Jack Wilkins, Wes”Warmdaddy Anderson”, Christian McBride, Bob Kaye, and Bobby Porcelli among numerous others.

Sarah performs regularly with the Artie Shaw Orchestra, Bensen-Scott Big Band, her own septet, Swing Society, as well as her smaller trio and quartet and on occasion, The legendary Duke Ellington Orchestra.
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When not traveling, Sarah can be seen weekly in New York’s finest jazz clubs...

QUOTES About Sarah
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"I have to think that Artie, who left us at the age of 94 in 2004, would love this album (Moonray) by Sarah Hayes, who has been the vocalist with the ongoing Artie Shaw orchestra for the last seven years. The first thing that he would probably say is that Sarah satisfies both of the requirements that he put forward, she’s got chops—she can sing—and she also looks very good in
deed on the bandstand.
- Will Friedwald, Author, Music Critic, WSJ,NYT, Village Voice, etc.

“Sarah’s song stylings exude personality, she has charisma to spare. And with her innocent and unintentional naiveté, she wins the hearts of all who experience her performance".
- Michael Andrew, Bandleader, Broadway Producer, The Nutty Professor

“Sarah has a vibrant and exciting voice~ a beautiful tone, she's a throwback to the 1940s. Her penchant for comedic interplay livens up the dullest occasions. But when she sings the occasional ballad, she leaves the listener mesmerized".
– Charles Carlini, New York music producer, In Touch Entertainment

"Over a decade now I have had the pleasure of having her perform weekly at my club. Her performance has always been an electric one. One can always guarantee the Best time at Sarah's show. You'll never go wrong with Sarah. The audience loves her."
- John Akhtar, OWNER Swing 46 Jazz & Supper Club, NYC