The Jazz Singer
- Thomas Smugala
- Apr 23
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 29
Recently, we met an amazing young woman. At 17, she is a very accomplished Jazz singer. How does a young woman in 2025 become a talented Jazz singer able to hold the stage with seasoned Jazz performers? I have no idea how this happened, but I am sure this jazz-singing wonder will create ripples in this world. We decided to shoot some photos and a little video so you all can believe this story—I barely can believe it myself. Man, there is talent in these hills. The super cool thing is, this talented woman, along with her band LUSH LIFE, will be performing this weekend at the
573 Chalk Festival—a free event for all in the kingdom brought to you by 573 Magazine and the City of Marquand.
Meet Sarah Politte—the Jazz singer.
My name is Sarah Politte. I am a 17-year-old student and Jazz singer. I love Jazz music and am working on pursuing a career in Jazz. Aside from singing, I also love crocheting, art, dancing, and all things vintage.
This Saturday, April 26, Sarah and Dr. Kevin White —their band LUSH LIFE, will perform at the 573 Chalk Festival, which is free to all who wish to listen.
About four years ago, I decided quite spontaneously to take vocal lessons. My parents were very supportive. After the first lesson, I was told I had a voice for Jazz. Knowing nothing about the genre, I looked up some Ella Fitzgerald songs and discovered that I loved the style. It just felt right to sing Jazz.
I was thrilled when I was picked as one of two first sopranos from the whole state and the only person ever chosen from our area for this honor.
This past spring, with the help of my voice teacher, Dr. Sherry Francis, I auditioned for the MCDA All-State Vocal Jazz Ensemble, an event in which sixteen high school students from all over the state of Missouri are selected and give a performance in Springfield. I was thrilled when I was picked as one of two first sopranos from the whole state and the only person ever chosen from our area for this honor. I also earned a solo in the performance! It was a great experience, and I learned a lot about the foundations and community of Jazz.
Sarah does a Magilio Stasara cover.
My family has been listening to music ever since I can remember. They have always listened to all sorts of music, from classical to cultural to Led Zeppelin and beyond. I'm very grateful for this because it has given me a chance to experience all the music and decide what I like best. I am only seventeen, but I have definitely found that my favorite type of music is Jazz. I love to sing and listen to all types of Jazz.
I try to convey the emotions that I feel in the moment with the lyrics and the tune.
The music I love to sing most is really a blend of traditional standards, fun or emotional melodic lines, and intimate, reflective styles. I love telling a story when I sing, connecting with the audience throughout the song. I try to convey the emotions that I feel in the moment with the lyrics and the tune. One of my favorite things about music is its ability to connect to people on all levels.
One of my favorite things about music is its ability to connect to people on all levels.
Sometimes, I feel nervous before I go on stage, but once I'm out there, I think none of that- everything goes away, leaving just the music and me. I love the feeling I get when performing. It feels easy and fun, and it's definitely something I want to continue to experience for the rest of my life.
I'm a carefree person to those who know me closely, but I seem more reserved to strangers or people I don't know as well. Singing in front of anyone is no problem for me, and sometimes it is way easier than talking! My confidence now is definitely due to experience and the encouragement I receive from the people around me. With each performance, I feel less nervous and become more comfortable and stronger each time I perform.
"Sarah Politte is an incredible musician and has all of these amazing gifts at such a young age."
In the next few years, I see myself singing Jazz anywhere and everywhere, and I will do it frequently. Also, I'd like to travel for my career, not only to other states but also to other countries. I don't spend a lot of time envisioning my future, but if there's one thing I know for sure, it's that this is what I want to do—this is how I want to make a living and make my mark in life—I want to sing Jazz.
A Jazzy guy—Dr. Kevin White.
My name is DR. Kevin White. Jazz is unique. Jazz is exciting. Jazz is emotional. Jazz is smart. Jazz is freedom. Alongside “love” and “family,” Jazz represents my favorite word in the English language……..creativity. Jazz is a wide umbrella that covers many styles and eras, but at its heart there is only one thing that determines whether a piece of music is Jazz or not and that is improvisation. Improvisation makes all of those words and ideas possible. The ability to spontaneously create something new by how you are feeling at that moment, on the spot in every song, no matter how many times you sing or play it.
Sarah Politte is an incredible musician and has all of these amazing gifts at such a young age. First, her voice is beautiful. You can listen to her sing anything and your ears take note, but there are a lot of folks that are in that category and have wonderful voices. She already has that freedom and emotion in her voice that you cannot teach. The first time I ever heard her sing I could hear it in the first minute and knew that she was different. She adds so many worthwhile, little nuances that are not written anywhere. I still haven’t figured out how she can do all of these things without having the experience of being around Jazz musicians all of her life. Her listening skills are off the charts!
Sarah wants to sing Jazz professionally and I have wanted to get out and about and play some jazz piano just for the fun of it. So, we decided to pool our resources and form a little duet group called “Lush Life.” Sarah named our group. Lush Life is a beautiful, emotionally-packed Jazz ballad that was always performed by Duke Ellington from the 1930’s on up. I want Sarah to be heard much more often than two or three times a semester from her ensemble concerts and also by a larger group of people. We also want that intimacy of a Jazz club so our goal is to play dinner music at nice restaurants, country clubs, weddings, private parties, etc. Our song lists will include Jazz standards but also classic rock and pop songs done in a Jazz style. Sarah will do all of the singing and I will accompany her on various keyboards and the Hammond organ, plus trumpet and flugelhorn. The rest of our “group” (bass and drums) will be filled out with professional Jazz tracks that we have purchased.
"She already has that freedom and emotion in her voice that you cannot teach."
This Saturday, April 26, Sarah and Dr. Kevin White —their band LUSH LIFE, will perform at the 573 Chalk Festival, which is free to all who wish to listen. The 573 Chalk Festival is FREE to attend and FREE to draw and even FREE chalk. With $500, $250 and $50 dollar cash prizes.
Get Out There! Sing something. Draw something. Volunteer for something. Do something. Do anything. Take that class. Get that new job. Start that new business. What one person can do, another can do. That sunken sofa will be fine without you.
Pics & words - T. Smugala
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