Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Daye.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Sarah. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. My father being second-generation polish, and my late mother was born in Nova Scotian of English, Irish and Scottish descent. However, both of my parents were raised during their most impressional years in Kensington Market, downtown Toronto, in the heart of the city where they met many moons ago before they had my older sister and I.
Kensington was and still is a very hip beatnik area. And funny enough, it used to be a favorite place I would frequent, hang and shop when I was downtown with friends not even knowing my parents used to live there. I grew up in the west end. But I loved to get one of a kind finds, and vintage classics there. Some of which I still have today literally.
The market was not only full of art, culture and history. It was a creative arts district with very cool European style brownstone homes, everything from Fish and Meat Markets, Bakery’s, Cafe’s, an Ara of restaurants, vintage, bead, and smoke shops. Crafts, and accessories for days, to music venues. You name it! With such history in this location, it’s no wonder it helped shape my style and the taste I have today.
Thankfully coming up, my parents were big music lovers. Growing up surrounded by great mixed culture, loads of talent in the city, and a great MUSIC movement as I did. Although, it was a much different time period. They, of course, were hippies back in the day! Trust me, the old pics are GREAT.
Since I could remember, I was heavily influenced by their amazing record collections. My father also played guitar and sang to us ever since my sister and I were babies, into our teens. From our bedside singing us to sleep to cottage days, family gatherings, to beach bomb fires. He would serenade us regularly, which was incredibly comforting. Something I never forget, It was truly healing.
I guess I didn’t know at the time, but I got the bug way back then. I would learning every riff, lyrical inflection, as well as his personal style and attack of each song. He sang with such passion. It made everyone feel great! And Little did I know that all these years later, I would end up focusing on my voice and becoming a professional singer myself. It’s crazy how things work out!
My parents used to also have a lot of parties and entertain friends since I was very young, which I remember very well. So we always had music at home. Dancing and singing was literally a ritual. Both my parents collected a super dope mix of records from Motown, Funk, Soul, R&b, to Folk, Classic Rock, Jazz and even disco. And back then, my sister and I would put on shows for our family and friends. It was clear that dance quickly became my first passion, which undeniably turned into my first profession. My parents would say I was a natural mover and shaker, ever since I could walk apparently.
At the tender age of three, I started studying ballet and jazz. A few years later, I got into tap. Then after many years, I explored several different styles including hip hop, Indian, African, and I even became apart of a stepping crew in my school too. I always lived for the stage. It was the place I could get away and escape from all of the pain.
Music and dance helped me cope with a lot of life challenges that were brought on very young, unfortunately. Including my parents divorcing when I was five. With years of custody battles, my mother’s alcoholism which had taken a toll on me over the course of my life. And then dealing with my sister moving out after having her first pregnancy at 15. I was left at home alone to fend for myself and take care of my mother in many ways. But, Thank God music took over my spirit and uplifting me when I needed most. It helped heal my soul, keeping me sane somehow, through it all.
Music gave me strength to keep on going and my mother played it all the time. A sweet escape that came very naturally. It motivated me to aim high, and I literally haven’t stopped pushing since. Gratefully, I always had this massive desire to defy the odds inside me, which I always felt was a blessing from God. I just knew I wanted to get out of my neighborhood before it affected me anymore, or ruined my life. I had big dreams alright.
I remember still today when a school teacher of mine once told me that I would be just like my mom. That Alcoholism was hereditary! At the time, I got super defensive. I was so hurt, angry and shocked. And I was only in grade three. But, I was also determined even more from that point on, to make something of myself, and prove her wrong. She didn’t know me at all clearly. Which is why today I choose to use my voice and my light to inspire others.
To this day, I am so grateful I kept busy in sports, and that my dad encouraged me to play many as well. Although, I easily chose to focus on Basketball being that I was surrounded by it in my hood. And, that my sister also played on our school team with her best friend Suzanna who was our school’s star hero athlete.
So, because I was waiting for her most days after school watching, the coach one day said; Hey Sarah, you wanna play ball? I was stoked to say the least. And even though I was on the bench for a while. I was apart of the team in grade three. I had the opportunity to learn the game, the discipline, and how to become a team player. It was a game-changer for me. It also kept me off the streets!
Thank goodness my dad later continued to enroll me in dance also during those impressionable years. He drove me to dance and ball practices the few years I was forced to go live with him out of town. He has definitely been my hero through and through, cheering me on in all that I chose to do. He is a big part of why I have the work ethic and hustle in me, that I do.
As a rising professional dancer in training at that time, I was also awarded, “Most improved dancer of the year” at my dance school ‘The Academy of Dance’ where my dad lived. After that, I gained even more confidence and I began doing a lot of Industrials, television and feature film works, commercials, corporate gigs, music videos, live shows at local clubs, theme parks, and barmitzva’s. You name it! I even taught at a few different modeling schools.
At age 16, I decided to move on my own downtown Toronto, to focus on myself, and my career which I felt I desperately needed. I had already seen too many negative things happening around me from a young age, which I knew I needed to escape. And I knew I needed the time to build towards my dream.
After years of abuse and tugger war with my parents. I had a deep desire, vision and a strong faith to go after my desires, and spread my wings to go out and do my own thing. And I did just that.
I got my own place downtown while working waitressing and bartending, training, and focusing my best to finish high school. After that, I audition and was happily accept to the triple threat program at Toronto’s top private musical theatre college “Randolph Academy of the Performing Arts”, Where I previously studied years taking class with Toronto’s top teachers, Including founder George Randolph who was previously a principle dancer for ‘Alvin Alley’.
In my first year at Randolph, I got ear of an audition opportunity to potentially dance with “The Dodat Dancers”, who were Toronto’s first top Hip-hop dance company to get major buzz and success with now known celebrity Choreographer to the stars, founder “Luther Brown”. I went for it, and was ecstatic when I got it! I related to hip hop growing up where I did. And most of us in Dodat I learned later, all came from the west side projects of Toronto, known as “Jane & Finch” where my dad lived for years, which was also very close by where my mom, my sister and I also stayed for at least nine years, in an area called “Rexdale”. Which was just minutes away. Same vibe, low-income government housing projects, crime and typical drug and street violence surrounding. But not as bad as America still definitely.
All that to say, Dodat also had humble beginnings. We literally practiced on the streets, in the parking lots, and in the hallways of at the time ‘York University’. We used the windows as mirrors until of course, we grew enough to be able to rent out a legit studio space. Then, when things were on their way, We got great opportunities to feature in many Videos for Canadian Juno Award-winning artist Including my bro ‘Maestro Fresh Wes’, International greats like “WyClef”, directed by Little X as he was coming up and blowing up in our city, and globally. It was a trip! We featured at top festivals, opening for the likes of Jill Scott and Mos Def. We even did feature films like “Honey” with Jessica Alba and appeared on TV shows such as Much Music, and many more. Years of great experience on stage, great times indeed kept on preparing me. So as you can see, music and dance have always been my release. It’s helped me keep that libra balance I need.
I don’t know where I’d be without it honestly. It definitely helped save my life. Literally! Not to mention, it brought so much joy, opportunity and excitement keeping me motivated, busy and aiming high to improve consistently. That, and my writing. I took up writing poetry at a young age. And I would mostly write my mother poems to uplift her spirits and encourage her in dark times. Which were daily! But, God put that light in me.
After years of Incredible performances, studies with many of the best. I somehow knew it was time to transition and take the lead up front, center stage. It was calling me. And the confirmation was, hearing the same advice over and over again from several of my musical theatre professors who were some of the top casting directors in Canada. All saying; Focus on your voice Sarah. As a triple threat Singer, that dances and acts rather, you can do great principle works future. I quickly took their advice and realized all the rave was; If I worked hard, I could get principle lead roles and even become a recording artist. I was totally hung ho. Let’s do it has always been my motto!
Without hesitation, I jumped on it. And I also got invited to attended multiple auditions for major productions, by my professors. Such as; “We will Rock you”, which I got several callbacks for surprisingly before the show sadly cancelled in Toronto. I was still amazed, motivated and encouraged at the accomplishment to get such an opportunity to even audition in the first place. Especially for the very type of role that one of my professors had told me I could never book. Which was singing the soulful music that I felt most while playing a character role that was apparently not in my range at all. Despite this feedback, I still chose musicals that touched my soul, and that I could relate to. “Once on this Island”, “Waiting for Life” was my song!
You just never know what can happen. I’ve always believed in doing what I believe in, and what feels great. And who knows, maybe I could be the one to create change! I have always been the type to take a leap of faith. It inspires me. And I know that no matter what, God has always got me! I’ve seen too much, not to believe.
So after that, I went out and started booking and producing my own shows all over my city. I built up my repertoire, and my following. I played all the top venues for years collaborating with many of those who first inspired me musically, sang in a few reggae bands, got flown into Jamaica to open for Richie Stephens in Kingston with Capelton and Movado to name a few. And then, I applied and was awarded a FACTOR demo grant out of thousands of recipients in Canada, to record with a few top dance producers at the time called ‘Perry Alexander’. I recorded my first professional demo successfully, which ended up helping me take off and get booked overseas.
I literally packed my things in storage, left my city and country, and I haven’t looked back since! It was honestly Impeccable timing. Right after my mother sadly lost her battle to cancer, diabetes and many complications at only 49 years of age. An incredibly hard journey for me, she was my everything. But as she always said; When I go, You go and spread your wings, travel, and be the star that you are Boo. (That was her nickname for me.) It was almost immediately after her passing that I was offered a contract in tropical beautiful Malaysia. And that’s how I started my International journey of the Daye.
Three months turned into five years of travels touring Independently across South East Asia successfully living like a princess, doing what I love and gaining loads of International press and exposure. Contract after contract, with amazing breaks to travel and explore on my own all these wonderful cultures. It was an opportunity of a lifetime. I booked, managed and musically directing myself, putting different bands together with the best of the best of five countries gaining great experience and financial success, which I would constantly reinvest.
Though the journey thus far was amazing, living and working in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia “Bali” and Hong Kong doing the damn thang. I knew I wanted more. And, I knew I could make much larger strides on a whole other level of success, with the right team, the right product, and with a great plan to execute. So, after a lot of thought, I decided to explore basing myself in LA. And with three suitcases, one contact, and big plans to plant my seed, build a new foundation in one location that I could find and create my Daye Dream Team, with some of the best in the Industry. I was on my way, and happy to be surrounded still by the Mountains, the Ocean and the business. Thankfully much closer to my family.
I flew in and landed in the city of angels as they call it to explore and figure it all out. And after a lot of hard work, sweat, push & many tears. Including all my savings spent! I finally got my visa as an extraordinary talent to stay, live and work in the US as a recognized professional singer-songwriter and entertainer in Hollywood. Definitely not easy to get. This was a huge step!
I can honestly say If I had not toured years overseas, gotten the press I did, the International and financial success and exposure as well. I don’t know how I would have honestly been granted the “Extraordinary Artist” Visa’s I’ve achieved as an Indie artist coming from Toronto, Canada.
Thankfully along the way, I was smart enough to build some great professional relationships while pushing hard, producing hundreds of shows, keeping my business in order, and following up best I could to keep that respect while consistently doing great things and growing in the community. As my dad always said; The hard work will pay off eventually.
Throughout this LA journey, I’ve had the great honor and pleasure of performing and featuring at some of the most famous venues in and around Los Angeles, Las Vegas and the world literally. Such as the fabulous T-Mobile Arena in Vegas in which I sang, featured and front ‘The Kevin Eubanks band’ the last two years in a row, for over 10,000 people. The same stadium Jlo just featured her last ‘It’s my party tour’. Where I enjoyed featuring as apart of the Incredible Microsoft event they throw every year. Including other majors such as; Bruno Mars, Ellie Golding, Queen and Lenny Kravitz for Instance. An honor to work such an incredible venue, with multiple devine dream stages. My biggest yet in Vegas. Super cool!
I also featured at ‘Planet Hollywood’ in Vegas with my band. With my big brotha from anotha motha the amazing legendary ‘Sekou Bunch’ on bass as well. Plus, a few more memorial shows I’ll never forget such as; Singing with my soul sister, Grammy Nominated Singer “Andra Day” at the amazing LA Greek Theatre, opening for Lenny Kravitz. And, the incredible opportunity singing at the famous ‘Nokia Theatre’ LA Live with Armenian superstar ‘Armen Hovhannisyan’ to a sold-out crowd, receiving a standing ovation. It was truly an honor to share the stage with such an incredible cast of A list singers, literally some the best in the biz. Moments like that, you never forget. The very reason many of us move to LA. Extraordinary!
Other celebrity greats I’ve had the great opportunity to open for and or perform with, Include names like; Teena Marie, Bobby Brown, Mario, Bobby Valentino, Karen White, Jon B, as well as many features I did on The Jamie Foxx Show “Foxxhole” which was at Jlo’s club at the time, ‘The Conga Room’ in LA Live. Musically directed by Nissan Stewart. And it was there that I met my now favorite Drummer, my Musical Director and Producer of my soon to be released LIVE EP, with my Daye Dream Team band. Grammy Award-Winning Drummer extraordinaire “Stacey Lamont Sydnor”. (The Jacksons, Lalah, Diddy, Johnathan Butler, Myron McKinley Trio..)
Never a dull moment in LA. I have some super fun fond memories of Jamming with Bruno Mars and friends on my first birthday at ‘Howl at the moon’ Studio city. I saw Whitney’s last performance up close in Hollywood the night before she passed sadly, at Kelly Prices Grammy Party. I’ve watched many friends and colleagues I’ve supported years and worked with, along the way who have now blow up, gracing the biggest of stages. And I finally have my Daye dream team together with the Incredible “Kevin Flournoy”, Stacey Lamont Sydnor and my band. The journey of the Daye has been real. And I’ve been blessed to be surrounded by it all. Legit, I’m still just getting started. And I am super grateful for all those who have helped and stuck by me, believing in me.
When it comes to recording in LA. The last few years have been the bomb for me. A real Daye Dream. I’ve had the great honor to work at the famous “Westlake Studios” where Thriller was recorded, with Incredible Producer, Vocal Arranger, Singer “Kevin Dorsey” who has worked with Michael Jackson for decades as well as Whitney, Stevie, Sting, Celine and many more. With special thanks to my dear friend, pianist, super producer, songwriter mentor ‘Kevin Flournoy’. Who thankfully brought me in to lend my voice and performance on a number of incredible projects he’s had including singing and co-hosting on his Web/YouTube series, and TV show in the works “The K-Flow Show”. Performing with his A list band of top musicians who have backed everyone from Ray Charles, to Tina Turner, and Aretha Franklin.
I remain inspired, driven, and humbled to be surrounded by such greats in the Industry living the dream. One of Kevin’s episodes even got us aired on BET with Salli Richardson-Whitfield directing and featuring. And I know Kevin’s gonna produce my next “Daye Dream EP” amazingly. Now, all we need is the money!
Then, Coming full circle all these years now later and I have some exciting plans to also collaborate and record back home as well, at ‘Kensington Sound’ Studios on the same street my parents were raised. How amazing that that came to play. With plans to work on a “New Daye” project with Grammy Award Winning Producer “Earl Powell”, who I met years ago in LA. After he was awarded his Grammy for works with Jennifer Hudson fabulously.
I remember clearly, over a dinner meeting in Hollywood when he shared that I reminded him of Jennifer a lot. Super talented, loads of strength, depth, and very similar stories to share as well. And now finally, after all these years later we have a cool Canadian connection back in my city, with plans to collaborate with fellow songwriters, a wonderful producer and artist himself ‘Ben Pelchat’ of Kensington Sound. Whom Earl has been working a lot with these last few years. A real 360 moment! And I just know it will be a super successful collaboration. I can’t wait! We will be writing and recording in a live room much like they did back in the Motown days. Raw form, live instruments, and real music. The same room Alana Miles recorded the classic “Black Velvet”. Can’t wait for it to happen.
Additional LA highlights Include recording at The famous “Henson Studios”, in the same room the smash “We are the world” was recorded and created by MJ, Quincy Jones and so many. We were blessed to work and record our Grammy Nominated Soundtrack for the book “Sheet Music” ‘The Diary of a Songwriter’ there also, which I was featured in, and sharing apart of my story alongside a fierce group of talented women that were handpicked to share their stories as professional singer-songwriters in the industry as well.
We spent weeks recording intricate parts, features, Bg’s, massive choral parts, collaborating, brain storming, sharing many long days, and late nights. Good times! Following the completion, we opened and presented the body of work at “Avalon Hollywood” performing a production of the Soundtrack for our official Hollywood book launch. Sharing the stage with Janelle Monae’s group “Saint Beauty”. It’s been an interesting ride, to say the least.
Now to date, 2020. I’m excited to announce my latest new single release coming out in February called “Love Don’t Lie”, which was just picked up by legendary Dj Spen and Quantize Recordings in London. The same label that just received #1 Soulful house Album on TraxxSource recently. Super excited and we will be pushing the record soon on both Traxxsourse and Spotify, so make sure you all stay tuned! Also, Look out for my Live EP, Sarah Daye “Journey of my Soul” which is a collection of my originals I’ve been touring with and created locally and Internationally along the ride. Many fan favorites with literally some of the best musicians in the world on it. Musically directed by the great Stacey Lamont Sydnor.
With this new decade, brings new beginnings. And I can’t wait to share more of the music inside of me. Many Incredible collaborations to announce, and projects on the rise. Please join me on my social media handles. All links are easily found on my website; www.SarahDaye.com. Please sign up for my email list for show updates and new Daye news. You can also donate to the new Daye Dream project if you like. Every and any little bit helps. Thank you sincerely! Let’s Go, It’s #DAYETIME.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The struggles and challenges mostly are supporting oneself while living this life. It takes a lot of time and energy and reinvesting all you make into your work constantly, which is necessary. Supporting your livelihood, your business and your craft take a lot of money and a plan. Not to mention, dealing with the peaks and valleys when work isn’t coming. Handling the slower dry season is a concern. It’s important to have residual income coming in which I’ve learned over the years. Important to use your skill to help support yourself in different ways and be creative.
I personally enjoy teaching the children and giving back in my community. To share my experience and knowledge, while also having some extra income coming in as a cushion. Every little bit helps along the journey indeed!
And of course, we can’t forget the struggle of being in a male-dominated business. Though we thankfully are seeing more and more women step up into executive roles, producing, orchestrating, working in A&R, Music Placements, Music supervising, etc.. This makes me super happy! We need to support one another and keep on rising. Chicks ROCK! 2020, Let’s go ladies!!! Create more opportunities for us.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
Coming from Toronto, Canada I was heavily influenced by many cultures. My music comes from my soul. It’s a mixture of pop, r&b, funk, soul, reggae and jazz Influences that come through in my music, the production and performance. I also came up majorly influenced by dance, disco, and house music which I write and love to perform as well.
My business is me. Sarah Daye entertainment! I specialize in world-class live performances, features and vocal recordings. Known best as a professional Singer, Songwriter, Entertainer, A Recording Artist, Session singer, and vocal singing coach.
I am most proud of my longevity in this industry working as a full-time artist over 14yrs now consistently. Having the great opportunity to work with the best in the business Internationally. And what sets me apart is my unique experiences and culture, being a Canadian in LA. And having toured Internationally creating such diverse bodies of work, with an open mind and fresh perspective. As well as knowing how to take each job, client and personalize the experience in a new way, that leaves a positive impression with the utmost of professionalism.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Future plans are to complete a new exciting Daye Dream EP of new music for 2020, with my Daye Dream Team. Comprised of literally some of the best in the business, Lead by the great “Kevin Flournoy” Producer, Songwriter, Pianist to the stars. (Aretha, Chaka, Glady’s, Pointer Sisters, Jamie Foxx, etc…), Stacey Lamont Sydnor on drums and supporting as my personal Musical Director, business manager and mentor.
Upon the completion of my current LIVE EP that’s almost complete with my band and numerous amazing friends, I plan to submit to feature in many more music festivals locally and around the world. I’m looking forward to dates locally and overseas as well with the release of my new single “Love Don’t Lie” dropping in February on the London label ‘Quantize Recordings’ founded by the legendary DJ Spen whom I look forward to do more collaborations with as well. The opportunities are endless! And I’m excited to see how this year unfolds. I already have some other amazing collaboration projects on the go too.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.SarahDaye.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @SarahDaye
- Facebook: www.Facebook.com/
SarahDayeMusic - Twitter: https://www.Twitter.com/SarahDaye
- Yelp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahdaye/
- Other: https://www.Reverbnation.com/SarahDaye
Image Credit:
WTME Photography, Dwayne Morgan Photography, Di Mora Photography
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