Biography
Sarah Ellen Jarosz was born on May 23, 1991, in Austin, Texas, and raised in Wimberley, Texas, in a household that valued diverse musical traditions from jazz and classical to folk and rock. She began her musical journey at age two with piano, then picked up the mandolin at age ten, eventually mastering guitar, clawhammer banjo, and octave mandolin. Her early musical development was profoundly shaped by attending weekly Friday night bluegrass jams in Wimberley and summer music festivals across the country, including RockyGrass near Boulder, Colorado, which she began attending at age eleven. During her senior year of high school, at just sixteen years old, she signed a recording contract with Sugar Hill Records, becoming one of the youngest artists to achieve such recognition in the acoustic music world.
Jarosz's professional career launched with her debut album Song Up in Her Head in 2009, produced by Gary Paczosa, which immediately garnered critical acclaim and earned a Grammy nomination for the instrumental track "Mansinneedof." She continued releasing albums including Follow Me Down (2011), Live at the Troubadour (2012), Build Me Up from Bones (2014), and Undercurrent (2016), the latter winning two Grammy Awards for Best Folk Album and Best American Roots Performance for "House of Mercy." In 2020, she released World on the Ground, which won the Grammy Award for Best Americana Album. Throughout her career, she has been recognized as a contemporary-bluegrass prodigy and described by the New York Times as "widely regarded as one of acoustic music's most promising young talents."
Beyond her solo work, Jarosz became a founding member of the progressive-folk trio I'm With Her alongside Sara Watkins and Aoife O'Donovan, releasing their debut album See You Around in 2018. Her music skillfully blends Americana and bluegrass traditions with modern influences and sophisticated production, creating a distinctive storytelling experience. She has toured with Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion and served as a regular performer on Live from Here with Chris Thile. Her artistry has earned her multiple Grammy and Americana Music Association nominations, establishing her as a leading figure in contemporary acoustic and roots music.
Fun Facts
- Jarosz plays a rare six-string clawhammer banjo with an additional low string, custom-built by luthier Bernard Mollberg from Blanco, Texas, who has only built a few banjos in his career.
- She attended the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston from 2009-2013, a classical music institution that seemed like an unusual fit for a bluegrass musician, but she was able to incorporate her banjo into the music ensembles.
- At the 2010 Wintergrass Music Festival, her performances with fiddle player Alex Hargreaves and cellist Nathaniel Smith were described as "the talk of the festival," helping establish her reputation in the acoustic music world.
- She began singing at age two and had already signed a professional recording contract by age sixteen, making her one of the youngest artists to achieve such recognition in the acoustic music industry.
Associated Acts
- Ari and Mia - lead vocals, mandolin
- I’m With Her
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Gary Paczosa - Producer and mentor who worked with Jarosz on her debut album and early recordings (Song Up in Her Head (2009)) [2007-2009]
- Bernard Mollberg - Luthier and clawhammer banjo mentor who built Jarosz's custom six-string clawhammer banjo and was a founder of Austin Friends of Traditional Music (Custom instrument building and mentorship) [2000s]
- Chris Thile - Mentor-peer-friend and collaborator; Jarosz recorded with him on her debut album and was influenced by his musicianship (Song Up in Her Head (guest appearance)) [2009-present]
Key Collaborators
- Sara Watkins - Co-founding member of the progressive-folk trio I'm With Her (See You Around (2018), I'm With Her albums) [2014-present]
- Aoife O'Donovan - Co-founding member of the progressive-folk trio I'm With Her (See You Around (2018), I'm With Her albums) [2014-present]
- Alex Hargreaves - Fiddle player and touring collaborator; performed with Jarosz at major festivals (Live at the Troubadour (2012), festival performances) [2010s]
- Nathaniel Smith - Cellist and touring collaborator; performed with Jarosz at major festivals (Live at the Troubadour (2012), festival performances) [2010s]
- Stuart Duncan - Guest musician on debut album (Song Up in Her Head (2009)) [2009]
- Jerry Douglas - Guest musician on debut album (Song Up in Her Head (2009)) [2009]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Wild and Clear and Blue | 2025-05-09 | Album |
| Undercurrent | 2016-06-17 | Album |
| Build Me Up From Bones | 2013-01-01 | Album |
| Blue Heron Suite | 2021-05-07 | Album |
| World On The Ground | 2020-06-05 | Album |
| Follow Me Down | 2011-01-01 | Album |
| Polaroid Lovers | 2024-01-26 | Album |
| Song Up In Her Head | 2009-01-01 | Album |
| Polaroid Lovers (Deluxe Edition) | 2024-09-20 | Album |
| Voices | 2025-06-13 | Album |
Top Tracks
- I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For
- Wild and Clear and Blue (Wild and Clear and Blue)
- Ancient Light
- Eye to Eye (feat. Sarah Jarosz) (The Fray)
- Build Me Up From Bones (Build Me Up From Bones)
- When Doves Cry - Recorded At Spotify Studios NYC
- Morning (Blue Heron Suite)
- Take Me Back (Undercurrent)
- Crossing Muddy Waters
- Call My Name
External Links
Tags: #alternative-country, #americana, #contemporary-country
Heard on WWOZ
Sarah Jarosz has been played 2 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 28, 2025 | 22:40 | Come On Up To The House | The Rhythm Roomw/ Allan "Alski" Laskey | |
| Oct 5, 2025 | 22:08 | Ancient Light | What's Neww/ Duane Williams |