Sarah Rossy (she/they) is a Lebanese-Canadian multidisciplinary artist based in Tio’tia:ke/Montréal whose work blends jazz, experimental electronics, and visual projections into ethereal soundscapes that are both autobiographical and socially conscious. Sarah’s artistic practice has a core of music and sound, but has fluidly expanded out to incorporate interdisciplinary movement and visual projections. Mentorship with Meredith Monk, explorations of cultural heritage at the Arabic Music Retreat, ancestral research with the Arrivals Legacy Workshop, and residencies at Banff Centre were all formative experiences which live and breathe in Sarah’s work. Sarah’s rich collaborative history includes recordings with Patrick Watson, Thanya Iyer, John Hollenbeck, NO COSMOS, Aaron Dolman, Jack Broza, and many more.
Compositionally, Sarah explores experiential processes which traverse through a feminist lens and nurture the ecosystems of artistic community, unifying her passions for social justice, representation, and unity. In 2019, Sarah joined Diasporakidz Interdisciplinary Collective and began an ancestral research journey under the mentorship of Diane Roberts with the Arrivals Legacy Project. This meaningful work has since become a central part of Sarah’s creative process, inspiring works such as WOVEN (2021), Sawtak Hamal Sawti (2023), and WASH (2024).
In 2021, Sarah was appointed Artistic Director of the feminist choir, Chœur Maha, and accepted a role as a Professor of Music at Dawson College. Sarah’s interdisciplinary practice now includes education as a tool for social justice, empowerment, and transformation.
Sarah Rossy holds both a B.Mus and M.Mus in Jazz Performance from McGill University’s Schulich School of Music. Active projects include: GEORGE, an experimental jazz band led by drummer/composer John Hollenbeck; Indra’s Net, an interdisciplinary work by Meredith Monk in New York City; and Sarah’s self-led band and solo works.
Recent original music releases include “Seemingly Insatiable Waves” EP (2024), “Tragic Masochist” EP (2024), and “The Conclusion” (2018). A much-anticipated debut album will be unveiled in 2025. Sarah Rossy’s work is a unique and compelling representation of art, culture, and the human experience.
Name:
Sarah Rossy
Genre:
Experimental Art Pop? I create with influences of many kinds of music, but most of it is experimental in nature and sourced from the heart. I studied jazz and Black American musical traditions in school for many years. That has impacted me in a very deep way, both musically and philosophically. I am an improviser; I rarely perform music the same way twice, and am equally as intrigued by noisy complexity as I am by simple consonance. I also like telling stories and diving into vulnerable personal topics with my work. I am also entering an era of cultural reclamation by diving into Arabic music. Hopefully, that paints a picture of the nebulous genres I exist between.
Founded:
In the 90s, when I began writing impish jingles as a toddler
# of Albums:
2 EPs and a handful of singles; 2 full-length albums on the way
Latest Album:
Seemingly Insatiable Waves EP
Latest Single:
Homecoming
Latest Video:
Favourite musician growing up:
The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Gustav Holst
Favourite musician now:
Joni Mitchell, Björk, Hiatus Kaiyote
Guilty pleasure song:
Believe by Cher
Live show ritual:
Eat all of the gluten-free green room snacks, drink none of the drinks
Favourite local musician:
Thanya Iyer!
EP or LP?
EP… the attention economy is desolate these days. I do like creating longer-form work, though.
Early bird or night owl?
I thrive at the extreme times of day, the afternoon is my nemesis.
Road or studio?
Studio, with a healthy dose of travel? So perhaps a studio abroad?
Any shows or albums coming up?
Keep your eyes open for a full-length album dropping in the next few months, or whenever I can line up a release plan as an independent artist. My live gigs can be found on my website.
Where can we follow you?
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Rapid Fire Local Questions:
What is your favourite local restaurant?
Pumpui
What is your favourite street in your city and why?
Rue Gilford. From its eloquent diagonal beginning to its timeless Plateau end, it brings me joy as a pedestrian.
What is your favourite park in your city and why?
Parc Mont Royal (aka the entire mountain). I love the feeling of being lost in nature while still being in the heart of the city.
What is your favourite music venue in your city?
URSA
What is your favourite music store in your city?
The merch table… buying music from artists at shows directly!
