Sasha Berliner – Vibraphonist and Composer

Sasha Berliner is an American vibraphonist, composer, and producer originally from San Francisco and based in New York. Her musical vision expands the horizons of the vibraphone in modern jazz, incorporating tools from electronic music, analog sound design, and complex harmonic structures influenced by her mentor Stefon Harris.

Winner of the DownBeat Critics' Poll in the "Rising Star" category, Berliner features a discography as a leader that includes the albums Azalea (2019), Onyx (2022), and Fantôme (2025). Her instrumental approach is characterized by a powerful rhythmic sense and a versatility that allows her to transition between free improvisation, modal jazz, and contemporary urban aesthetics.

In addition to leading her own ensembles—including her electric project Arts & Sciences—she has collaborated with creative music luminaries such as Tyshawn Sorey, Nicholas Payton, and Christian McBride, while simultaneously serving as a faculty member for jazz and composition at the University of California, Irvine.

Her music, characterized by dense arrangements and dark harmonies, draws inspiration from cinema, philosophy, and global social issues. With her album Fantôme, she solidifies her position as a leading voice in modern percussion and genre-free composition.