There is no question that music is a timeless entity, evolving through generations since the beginning of time. A Q&A with Sarah Dash this past Sunday provided an inside look on the transitional changes within the music business from sound to fashion and how to keep up with the rapid changes in the industry. Through Ms. Dash’s charisma and charm, she revealed just what the music business means to her from the production to the stage.

Q: Who was your biggest influence in music and how have they played a part in the type of music you create?
A: “Sarah Vaughan and Carmen McCrae. They taught me music articulation—their expression of words and their sound affected me most as a solo artists.”

As she transitioned to her solo career, she discussed how she wanted to change how she presented herself with jazz and blues. “As far as producers, I would say my greatest influences were Allen Toussaint, Jerry Lewis and David Foster. I was also a huge fan of Maurice White from Earth Wind and Fire for how he wrote his orchestrations.”

She credited her keyboard player, Zane Marks, for bring her newfound vision to life by helping her develop arrangements for her solo career.

Q: How do you think that the environment in which you grew up influenced your career path? Who is your most admired artist of today?
A: Ms. Dash explains that her environment didn’t necessarily influence her career path, but more-so how she portrayed herself as a musician. She dived into her past, explaining that growing up with a father as a pastor caused religion to play a strong role in her life and, overall, her behavior both as a person and an artist. She described further just what this influence meant by using her avoidance of drug use as an example.

Q: What is the biggest difference that you feel as a musician in a group versus your solo career?
A: I loved both for different reasons. “Performing in a group was great and provided me with many historical moments in my career and a support system of people I could count on for those moments,” states Dash. With her solo career, however, she reminisces on the idea of freedom—to make her own choices entirely with the songs that she writes. “It provides me with a different kind of freedom and motivation than that which I experienced in the group.”

Q: What has been your most memorable experience in your music career and why?
A: Ms. Dash says that having an international hit with Sinner Man is definitely one of them, but there is one in particular that truly stands out above the rest. “The all time high of my career was when we made history at the Met Opera House.” She goes onto explain her reasoning by speaking about the reactions from the crowd, how people’s eyes still light up when they talk about it, and the fact that this was the first performance her father ever came to collectively made it the most standout moment in her career.

Q: What does fashion mean to you? As a performer, how much impact do you feel your style has had on your career?
A: “My view on fashion goes back to the idea that first impressions are lasting impressions. Having a style means having your own image and deciding what defines you as a person,” says Ms. Dash. When discussing her personal stuyle, she says that it does not necessarily follow what is “top trend”, but reflects her brand so to speak which she considers to be a “mature, but chic look”. “I choose to dress in a way that makes people want to stop and looks, say wow, and then begin to listen,” Ms. Dash states when asked about how her style influences her career.

Q: Are you involved in any music related charities or foundations? If so, what inspired you to choose them specifically? What is your perspective on the focus of music in schools today?
A: Sarah Dash sits on an advocacy group run through the Grammys. “I knew I needed to be involved in what was happening around the industry,” said Dash. She elaborated on her views towards making change and providing an interest that can be used now or in the future. When asked about her perspective on music in schools today, Ms. Dash emphasized that she wants music to once again be part of the curriculum, and has even looked into starting a music academy of her own. She also strongly believes in the idea that music fosters creativity, and therefore develops character. Music allows children the opportunity to discover and share their talents. “Why do you think there are these singing and dancing shows? Because there is a need, a hunger for it. That in itself says something…if you are listening and looking that children love this.”