Sazón Performance Friday May 16th
Sazón: Bringing Soul, Flavor, and Fun to Anchorage’s Music Scene
Anchorage’s music scene is getting a fresh, flavorful twist thanks to Sazón, a dynamic neo-soul and funk band making waves across the city. Originally coming together for what was supposed to be a one-time show with vocalist Denali Romero, the group’s undeniable chemistry quickly captured the crowd’s attention. The audience wanted more—and Sazón was born.
Their name, fittingly, was crowdsourced via Instagram, where their friend Kendra of Arciniega Street Productions suggested "Sazón," meaning seasoning or flavor in Spanish — a perfect reflection of the band’s energetic, soulful, and vibrant style.
When asked to describe their sound, Sazón keeps it simple: funky, soulful, energetic, and so much fun. Influenced by the legendary grooves of Stevie Wonder, the fresh energy of Silk Sonic, the lush vocals of Amber Mark, and the rhythmic edge of The Police, Sazón blends the old and new into something completely their own.
Their songwriting touches on themes of fun, unity, moodiness, and childlike wonder, all crafted through a creative process that's as free-spirited as their music. "We jam, we laugh, we roll some dice to shake things up," they share. "Once we hear something that clicks, we each write our own parts and make something really fun and unique."
What sets Sazón apart in today’s R&B and neo-soul landscape is the diversity of their musical roots. Each member—Josh Antonio (saxophone), Levi Betz (guitar), Garrett (Gret) Monroe (bass), Kengo Nagaoka (drums), and Denali Romero (vocals)—brings a different background to the table: jazz, rock, blues, classical, traditional, and gospel. This melting pot of influences leads to fresh, unexpected combinations of techniques and rhythms that give their music an unmistakable signature.
Among their most memorable moments so far is being featured on PBS’s upcoming series PanAmericana, where they shared stories about growing up between cultures and how they hope to bridge communities through their music. "It’s crazy that we are part of something so incredibly different but also important," they say.
If you want to catch the spirit of Sazón, look no further than their original song "Never Have To Go." "When we play it, people get up and dance. There's something about it that's just... perfect," they share. The track captures their creativity, joy, and magnetic energy all at once.
Looking ahead, Sazón is preparing to release their debut EP this summer and has a full lineup of shows and community collaborations in the works. "We’re stoked to share what we’ve been working on and plan to keep the ball rolling after it’s out," they say.
You can catch Sazón live on Friday, May 16th from 7 PM to 9 PM at 49th Supply Co. (405 W Benson Blvd, Anchorage, AK). FREE SHOW. Be among the first to hear their upcoming songs and experience the magic that only Sazón can deliver
IG: https://www.instagram.com/wearesazon/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wearesazon
FB: https://www.facebook.com/wearesazon
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5tVFItGBVCXWDNhJfpvg14?si=tcr4jY9qSy-RtDqVOFLwvA