Jan 17, 2026

“What Just Happened” has reached #2 on Top 50 Canada Album Chart!

Many thanks to all of the radio programmers who have helped to make this happen!

Jan 19, 2026

LILY SAZZ “WHAT JUST HAPPENED”
Independent

This is the debut album from Sazz, something that, right from the first track, made me think otherwise. I say this because, from the get-go, I’d have sworn that she had been recording albums for many years. The quality and class that oozes from every tune gives you the feeling that this is a consummate professional with years of experience. Goodnight Sweetheart opens the album, a delightful if melancholy tune, showcasing the wonderful vocals of Lily Sazz. The album is a gumbo of Jazz, Soul, Blues, and some uplifting boogie. This Train Is Rollin’ is a fine example of the Boogie part of the proceedings, with Harry Manx on slide guitar and vocals. There are a couple of covers on the album, Don’t Let It Show (Alan Parsons) and Gaslight by Sue Foley. All of the other tunes were penned by Sazz. I stated earlier that I was very surprised that this is her debut album. I’m still at a loss as to why I’ve not heard of her before. The vocals are so good, and the overall playing is brilliant. If this is what happens to a debut album, the sky is the limit as to where she can progress career-wise. I Can’t Jam ends what has been one of the most enjoyable 45 minutes I’ve had in a long time. Do yourself a favour, get a copy of What Just Happened, thank me later.

STEPHEN HARRISON, Blues Matters! (U.K.’s Leading Blues/Roots Magazine)

Jan 8, 2026
Review from Fred Delforge Zicazic.com (France)
”The production, independent yet polished, highlights the warmth of the piano and the sincerity of the lyrics. We hear an artist who is not seeking spectacle, but the truth of emotion. What Just Happened is at once a personal diary and a collective celebration, an album that recounts the journey traveled and opens a new chapter—one in which Lily Sazz successfully transforms a career as collaborator into that of an artist with a distinctive and confident voice. This is an album that will appeal both to blues enthusiasts and to those who seek personal yet universal songwriting!”

Dec 30, 2025 (Issue 532)
https://www.makingascene.org/lily-sazz-what-just-happened/
Review by Richard Ludmerer, Making a Scene, Georgia, U.S.A.

Dec 17, 2025 From Croatia
https://poprock.hr/lily-sazz-what-just-happened/
”With the album What Just Happened, Lily Sazz steps into her own physical and psychological space, where, with her voice and piano skills, she creates music that ultimately sounds truly phenomenal.

It is no surprise that everyone praises What Just Happened for its expression and originality. With its blend of emotional depth, humor, and musicality, this album offers a completely intimate view of an artist breaking through toward the very top. For Lily Sazz herself, this represents both a personal and professional turning point—the culmination of a lifelong journey from complete anonymity to real spotlights, to the light of the stage.”

“What Just Happened is truly a special album, recorded with incredible musicians, yet standing above them all is the distinctive Lily Sazz, who captures the attention of fellow musicians, official critics, and audiences alike with her performance and personality. I truly believe you are part of that audience that knows how to recognize the real thing. What’s in front of you now is exactly that—the real thing.” - Mladen Loncar-Mike (Croatia)

Dec 15, 2025 From Belgium
https://www.concertmonkey.be/albumreviews/lily-sazz-what-just-happened
”“What Just Happened is an experiment across different genres, styles, and emotions, making it a versatile listening experience. The album is filled with personal reflections and vivid music that is both emotional and energetic at the same time. What Just Happened challenges its listeners while also deeply moving them. With this work, Lily Sazz has not only demonstrated her musical versatility, but also her ability to transform complex emotions and experiences into music that feels both personal and universal.” - Walter Vanheuckelom, Concertmonkey (Belgium)”

Dec 15, 2025 From The Netherlands
https://bluestownmusic.nl/review-lily-sazz-what-just-happened/
”‘What Just Happened’ is just a very good album, Lily’s playing is excellent and although she has used a huge variety of band members, the choice for the different guitarists is 100% top” - Gerard Haarhuis

December 14, 2025
Fantastic review from Stevie Connor The Sound Cafe (published in 3 languages).
Some excerpts:

“What Just Happened lands with a rare emotional clarity that feels both intimate and expansive. These are songs shaped by lived experience, delivered with a refined mix of strength and vulnerability. Lily Sazz’s voice carries a remarkable duality, commanding yet tender, confident yet deeply human, and her skills as a producer are on full display, guiding each track with precision and emotional intelligence.”

“The arrangements are elegant without ever feeling overworked, balancing layers of keyboards, vocals, and guest contributions in ways that feel organic and lived-in. There’s a storytelling sensibility throughout, where each song functions as both a standalone reflection and a piece of a larger emotional journey. What makes this debut extraordinary is that it doesn’t seek to impress with flash or bravado; it resonates because it’s authentic, honest, and fully realized.”

“One of the album’s great strengths is its sense of community. The guest list reads like a who’s who of Canadian roots and blues royalty, Colin Linden, Suzie Vinnick, Harry Manx, Steve Marriner, Darcy Hepner, Mike Branton, Boreal, and more, but these appearances never feel ornamental. Each collaborator enhances the song they’re part of, serving the story rather than overshadowing it. It’s a testament to Sazz’s leadership as a producer and her deep respect for musical conversation.”

“What Just Happened is not merely a solo debut, it’s the sound of an artist finally stepping forward to claim her own narrative. Once you’ve witnessed the story behind it in the mini-documentary, the music doesn’t just reach your ears, it reaches your heart, leaving a lasting impression that lingers long after the final note.”

December 12, 2025
First international review by Patrick Dallongeville Paris-Moves in France. It’s in French, of course, so you can use translation software to read it, but here’s just one wonderful quote: “Even if she may not be the world’s best vocalist in strictly technical terms (ask Céline Dion and Mariah Carey why, with the instruments they inherited, they still sing so many nonsense notes), Lily Sazz remains one of the most emotionally compelling artists on today’s scene (and as for her keyboard playing—hold on to your seat). Don’t be fooled by the dark cover art: this album of resilience and celebration is remarkably luminous. And if you are still searching for female equivalents to Tom Waits’ Blue Valentine (after Rickie Lee Jones and Sandy Dillon), you may have just found a serious lead…” (rating “great”)

December 6, 2025
”What Just Happened” debuted at #3 on the Roots Music Canada top 50 chart (week of Dec 6, 2025!

December 4, 2025
What Just Happened” debuted at #38 on the The Big Blues Chart top 50 chart for Canada (November 2025)! Update: moved up to #26 in December 2025!

November 29, 2025
Q&A with Lily Sazz - her debut album is a collection of songs that reflects her story in a deeply personal way.by Music Network by Michael Limnios (Greece)

November 2 2025
Hamilton Blues Lovers Review
”This is a fabulous way to kickstart a solo career! This star-studded project has everything from the deeply personal to the downright quirky. Every song is infused with own feel and will have you contemplating or shaking your moneymaker.’

November 1, 2025

First review is in, by John Mulligan in the Toronto Blues Society’s Mapleblues Magazine. And a mention in the Top Blues by Brant Zwicker.
”She sings in a warm, natural, lived-in voice that is all her own. It reflects her personality and her truth just as much as her individual voice on the piano does. What Just Happened? never answers her own question but gives us the ripple effects of whatever it was that did happen. It left its mark on her, and she is able to share that mark with us through these songs. It’s a remarkable album. (John Mulligan)”

October 29, 2025
Billboard Canada FYI - Artists News

August 2025
https://torontobluessociety.com/august-2025-loose-blues-news/
Singer/songwriter keyboard player, Lily Sazz, (former WBR bandleader) is nearing the finish line recording her first solo album. The last session is scheduled six months almost to the day from when the first beds were laid with Hamilton bassist Carrie Clark and drummer Robin Pirson, with an autumn release expected. “Robin and Carrie laid a solid foundation with me, and then it was such a treat to be able to dream up exactly what instrument I wanted to feature (besides me) on the first three tracks. It was such an enjoyable process that I decided to keep going with the concept. I took a leap of faith and asked some of my favourite people, and not one hesitated to say yes. I am really touched by the generosity of these giant talents. They all met my ‘pie in the sky’ wish list and add a lot of colours and interesting sounds to the songs. I even had Jack Pedler (Teenage Head) on cowbell, and Scotty Bakalar on güiro.”

The 10-song album features a who’s who of well-known musicians on individual tracks as guests. A few sessions had to be done remotely, like Colin Linden beaming slide guitar in from Nashville, Harry Manx singing and adding slide from Salt Spring Island, Steve Marriner on harmonica from the comfort of his home, and folk group Boreal (Katherine Wheatley, Tannis Slimmon, and Angie Nussey) with 3-part harmonies at their scattered locations around Ontario. Trombone Charlotte and Suzie Vinnick (guitar and vocals) made it down to Dundas in person, and Darcy Hepner (sax, formerly with Blood Sweat and Tears) enjoyed the hang at the private studio Sazz jokingly calls “an undisclosed location”. Recent sessions featured Mike Branton on guitar, along with Scott Apted and Wayne DeAdder, and coming up are Colina Phillips and Jill Zadeh (Jeliz). “I’m excited about the session with Colina and Jill, as they’ve never met, but both have sung with the world’s best, and they both live here in my town”. Jill, who is from the U.S., but lives in Dundas (neighbours with Lily) toured with Janet Jackson for years, and sang with many other stars during her years in L.A. Colina is part of Canada’s rich music history having sung on records by Bryan Adams, Anne Murray, Alice Cooper, etc. She was also a member of The Tiaras with Jackie Richardson.

Nov 1, 2025

Fun to be on a podcast I’m a fan of! Check out the Talk Music Podcast, hosted by Tom Treumuth. It’s a deep dive into my musical history, including clips from previous bands, and a cool interview with Alfio Annibalini, who mixed “What Just Happened”.