Sasha K.A joined his first band at 13, and has since been in so many, by his count, that … well, he’s actually lost count. Which is why he’s rather incredulous that he’s just now releasing his first solo album, the simply titled Family, on Feb. 21, 2020. It’s not as if the Austin-based multi-instrumentalist was idly waiting for inspiration to morph into the album’s charming, pop-influenced folk tunes and lush instrumentals. On the contrary; under his deal with Amuxe Publishing in Chicago, Sasha K.A (an abbreviation of his “too long” last name) has scored films and written songs for soundtracks, TV and the Tom Clancy video game Ghost Recon Breakpoint.
He’s also released two albums with his Indie-Folk ensemble, American Dreamer: Restless Nights (2016) and Go Where You Go (2018). Sasha directs the Jazz Ensemble at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and teaches privately and at the Armstrong Community Music School, which sponsors the Musical Lives outreach program he operates at Austin’s SAFE Children’s Shelter. Inspired by his mother, a Folk singer (and his opera-star great-grandmother) Sasha is involved with Music to Life, the non-profit organization founded by Peter, Paul & Mary’s Paul Stookey and his daughter to foster change through music. He holds a master’s degree in Music Education from the University of Texas at Austin and a bachelor’s degree in Music Theory from Oberlin College. The Northampton, Massachusetts, native also studied in Berklee College of Music’s Summer program and spent six Summers teaching music to arts camp kids at the famed Deerfield Academy.
“Compelling… musical horizons” —Austin 360