Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Daye.
Sarah, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My name is Sarah Daye, I am a Canadian artist, Grammy Nominated Singer, Songwriter and International entertainer originally from Toronto, based in the US, after being on an extensive Independent full-time artist journey for over ten years now successfully. From touring overseas, opening and performing with many celebrities, royalty, and legendary musicians such as; Jamie Fox for his live stage and radio show in LA Live “Foxxhole”, to Teena Marie, Mario, Ray J, Jill Scott and Mos Def, Bobby Brown for his 40th bday singing my Prerogative onstage with Ralph Tresvant as well from New Edition. Magic Johnson hosting. I was blessed to sing and back Grammy Nominated songstress “Andra Day” at The LA Greek Theater opening for Lenny Kravitz apart of her “Cheers to the fall” tour, Sessions with Kevin Flournoy who’s worked and played with Aretha Franklin, Chaka, Gladys Knight, The pointer sisters. Plus several episodes and sessions as well Co-Hosting with Kevin singing on his “K Flow Show” web series supporting many artists Including Lamont Dozier Jr, with greats like Don Peak on guitar who played for Ray Charles on all his albums and tours. Not to mention numerous shows with MD and Grammy Award-winning drummer “Stacey Lamont Sydnor” who is also producing my new Live EP in the works to be complete this summer for release.
What motivated me and gave me courage to succeed in this industry?!
Well, After a pretty hard upbringing, my parents divorcing and separating long distance at the tender age of 5, years of disturbing custody battles, a single mother who struggled my who life medically and emotionally with depression, alcoholism, cancer, diabetes and epilepsy passing at the early age of 49 sadly. I definitely had loads to express and share creatively, to help me release and heal from all I saw and went through in my early years and teens.
Music thankfully motivated me and the gift I believe, to DREAM BIG. Which thankfully came quite naturally! I knew very young that I had to follow my passion and pursue what I knew God blessed me to do. Plus I always had a strong desire to inspire other young girls, children who are just like me. I knew I wanted to be a success story, not another tragedy like many lives I seen around me in my neighborhood. And I wanted to be an example to other and prove that even if you don’t have the best background, upbringing, that you can do it and be a success if you work hard, put your mind to it. You can do anything!
Music and dance became my only true happy place where I felt free. Celebrating music through dance was my first passion and creative expression. And It truly saved me! Music, Dance, basketball and training in a variety of sports in general taught me great discipline, work ethic, and the importance of teamwork. My father pushed that majorly, as he was an athlete throughout high school and college too. His father, my grandfather even played for Poland’s Olympic team too. I truly believe sports and the arts are so important to the upbringing of our youth.
My father whose name happens to be ‘Zen’, is my #1 biggest supporter and fan. A pretty cool gent. Also, the one who thankfully introduced music to me, and the gift of song. He shared his passion, musicianship and musicality with me, serenading my sister and I since we were babies. I truly wouldn’t be here without his support, influence, encouragement and consistent motivation through the ups and downs, peaks and valleys of this industry. We grew up also listening to his amazing record collection that had a lot of Motown, soul, and a classic variety which inspired me and opened my ears early. Everything from Stevie, The FourTops, Earth Wind and Fire, Evelyn King Champagne, Rufus and Chaka Khan, to greats like The Beegees, Barbara Streisand, Fleetwood Mac and the list goes on.
I am super grateful my dad from a young age get me enrolled into several dance disciplines which I adored instantly. From age three, I was performing recitals and it became my favorite thing. Helped me cope in many many instances throughout my childhood into my teens.
At age 16, I moved on my own to pursue my dance career and train downtown Toronto at the top dance Academy. And after years of dedication and hard work, I decided to audition and was accepted to the top private Musical Theatre College “Randolph School of Performing Arts” which was a triple threat program. I gratefully had some awesome professors who were also a few of the biggest Casting directors in the business. They quickly advised me to focus on my voice as a lead singer, that dances and acts rather, which would then open more lead principle opportunities for me. I took their advice and started to produce my own shows. I scouted venues to feature at and invited artists I grew up inspired by. I cross-promoted and quickly with great surprise I realized they were right. I kept on, and haven’t looked back since. Now I can say that I’ve literally done 100’s of shows around the world Independently from Canada, Sth East Asia to the US. It has been an includible journey.
Opportunities gratefully came one after the other, and I continued as a full-time artist, singer, songwriter, entertainer and recording artist. Eventually applying for and being awarded my first “FACTOR” demo grant In Canada to record my first project, chosen out of 1000 recipients working and collaborating with some great Canadian award-winning producer songwriters “Perry Alexander” at the time, who spoiled me with a very professional high end studio experience, setting me up for success, and showing me the ropes of how it’s really done properly.
The music we created opened many opportunities overseas for me touring and I performed it for years overseas to the US and still some of my fan favorites today! Some of which will be on my new LIVE EP with my Daye Dream Team band in Cali.
Definitely a huge blessing that was right on time after my mother passed, especially since she just told me; “Go spread your wings, and be the star you are Boo”. Which is my nickname.
After that first contract offer to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I packed my apartment up into storage and left for three months. But what I didn’t know what that I was going to end up staying five years and tour through 5 countries living for 6-8 months in many while producing shows, featuring and enjoying travels in-between exploring. I had some amazing contracts and opportunities, and lived like a princess in tropical paradise, performing at the hottest 5-6 star venues literally.
Over the years I’ve grown immensely from a variety of amazing career opportunities Internationally, to the point of finally finding the Daye Dream team, building great momentum with hard work, tenacity and a deep-rooted belief and faith in my purpose. Creating my own sound, groove, and lane along my way. As well as focusing on building some great key relationships in the business, including my fabulous Daye Dream Team Band.
I gratefully just booked my second major feature fronting “The Kevin Eubanks Band” in Vegas @ The T-Mobile Arena for Microsoft, with the lovely Donny Sykes on Male lead vocals which is going to be amazing. Last year, we performed for the stadium of 7,000. It was a fierce three day Microsoft event. Included other major artists Lenny Kravitz, Ellie Golding and Bruno Mars as well who I’ve performed with and used to hang my first few years In LA before he HIT BIG.
Another career highlight and dream session was singing at the famous Westlake studios where Michael Jackson recorded the “Thriller” album. With a cast of greats and legendaries. Not to mention Michael Jackson’s vocal producer, singer, an amazing musical, vocal director “Kevin Dorsey”directing us, who toured with Michael for decades, and producer Kevin Flournoy. An amazing honor, and a Hollywood Daye dream indeed.
I am currently completing my Live EP with my Daye dream team band, some legendary artists, musicians who have and some still do back “The Jacksons”, “Stevie Wonder”, Jlo, Aretha, Chaka, The Pointer Sisters, Gladys Knight, Lalah Hathaway and many more.
I’m super excited to share this LIVE Daye Dream EP – Sarah Daye “The Journey of my Soul” in the completion stages with Incredible Grammy Nominated Drummer, also my MD and one of my besties who’s been a huge support also backing me since we met in Cali while I was featuring on the Jamie Fox Show “Foxx Hole” with Nissan Stewart Musically directing.
Keep close and please come on board and become an official Daye Dreamer. I’d love your support for the LIVE EP, and as well for a few new singles in the works, which I’m raising funds to get into the fabulous “Sphere studios” and the famous “Westlake Studios”, with the Uber producer “Kevin Flournoy” who you can see on my “Indie Go Go” Campagne videos too. My site below has the link. And as will my Facebook and IG @SarahDayeMusic and @SarahDaye. We anticipating these new Daye Dream singles to be my best yet. The HITS I need. Appreciate all the love and support sincerely. It’s been a journey. A “Magic Carpet Ride” and my “Hollywood Ending”.
Grateful to all my amazing musicians and friends, family, dreamers for helping and believing with me. I wouldn’t be here without you. I feel blessed and honored, humbled to have you aboard. Living the California dream indeed.
Stay tuned, follow all my social media links and enjoy my music, with loads of great videos from my YouTube channel where you can see my journey unravel from all my years of travels and shows literally hundreds loaded. Plus lots of press, pics, original music, classic Daye oldies but goodies, my newest creations and updates. All found on my site. Including a Free download Mp3 of “I Care” for all of you. Keep dreaming! And go to: www.SarahDaye.com
It’s Daye Time.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I’ve had many many peaks and valleys, and life definitely happens. We just have to ride the wave and believe. But I can say for sure being a Canadian in California, a foreigner in the US has not been easy, to say the least. It’s definitely been the hardest challenge of my life. Other than the loss of my Mother of course and family illness along the way while I’ve been away…
In order to be granted an artist visa as an extraordinary singer-songwriter in America, it took an incredible amount of hard work, an extensive resume, press and professional A list references, a extraordinary professional reputation which thankfully I built in Canada and overseas while touring Internationally, and thankfully I also established some key reportable contacts and mentors, music moguls I built relations with, while visiting here and in between visa’s while in the US. Grateful for the many opportunities those relationships brought and continue to bring.
Another major struggle was the loss of my two grandmother also at the beginning of the year. Those things definitely stop you in your tracks for a bit, having to emotionally and suddenly deal with. It’s never easy and at times it throws off your plans. Which is a huge challenge when your on deadlines and taken sooo much time to plan with a team as well. But, I realize more and more as I mature in this life and professionally that everything is right on time. I’ve learned to embrace where I am at in the moment and do my best to keep positive, allow myself the healing time when needed and just keep on pushing as I am able. Somehow things always work out! And I remind myself daily to “Let go and let God”. And then I also stay in an attitude of gratitude believing every step of the way that I will achieve my goals.
What else should we know?
I am a Grammy Nominated Singer, Songwriter and Entertainer. I also Host, Co-Host and produce shows Internationally over 12 years now successfully. I am known for bringing world class entertainment to major brands, private clients, major events and venues worldwide, music festivals, royalty, opening for celebrities, you name it.
I provide A list talent and have my “Daye Dream Team” of incredible musicians who also back the stars. I produce a variety of performance options as lead Singer, Entertainer extraordinaire and Musical director, consultant.
Expect world-class talent, energy that exudes, uplifts audiences Internationally. Being named Soul Diva by popular International press while touring overseas. Something that has stuck with me.
Performances Include solo, duo, trio and full band options. As well as an extremely unique Dj live vocal drum combo that hits hard and mixes well for major events and parties we do for top industry clientele as well.
I also offer professional vocals sessions for a variety of recording artists, producers and studios I work with, working with some legends in the business literally, and the best gratefully.
I do front other Incredible A list bands as; “The Kevin Eubanks Band” for example @TMobileArena in Las Vegas for the major brand Microsoft. I feature with “The Unit” for Instance with my MD and Grammy Award Winning Drummer “Stacey Lamont Sydnor”@ The famous “Sayers Club” Hollywood. And I front “The Furnace Band” from time to time too with MD’s Theo Gearring and EP who work with The Game and many celebrities. Top venues across California, when we all aren’t not doing tour dates overseas.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Do I have to??! Haha… I’d say no, I wouldn’t want to because I believe God has me just where he wants me. And everything is in divine order for me to learn the lessons, feel the pain, climb the mountains and learned all necessary to get to this place I am here and now. “Ready”!!! :>
But if I had to say something; I would have liked to put out my music sooner along the way, as posed to only selling it indie on tour and on the streets when I was younger before the social media craze. I held on to songs back then thinking maybe they weren’t perfect enough or I couldn’t do it all on my own playing all hats, not knowing enough about the business side while I was focused on producing shows and writing, recording when I could with talented musicians I met… But sure enough, here I am today and I’ve taken those same songs, and that music got some much recognition around the world featuring at festivals and 100’s of clubs getting more love for my originals honestly then for the covers usually! The songs literally got me bookings Internationally. And still now to this day, those songs get so much love appreciation it is amazing. Which is why I am doing. this new LIVE EP with my MD producer and Grammy Award-winning drummer “Stacey Lamont Sydnor ” who is helping making my Daye Dream, a reality! A special shout out to everyone who shared how the songs touched them, from each and every gig. Each story touched and truly inspired me, made me happy.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.SarahDaye.com
- Email: BookingSarahDaye@gmail.com
- Instagram: @SarahDaye
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/SarahDayeMusic
- Twitter: @SarahDaye
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahdaye/
Image Credit:
Di Mora Photography, Alireza Soroush Photography and WTMEphotog.com and Sarah Daye Make Up, Hair & Styling
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