photo by Timothy Musho
Big Sadie is a Chicago-based acoustic band fronted by Elise Bergman (upright bass, vocals) and Collin Moore (guitar, vocals). Defined by rich, intricate harmonies and rustic yet sophisticated instrumental arrangements, Big Sadie takes a modern yet timeless approach to American roots music.
Bergman and Moore both grew up surrounded by music. With roots spanning from the Midwest to the heart of Appalachia, their sound honors their heritage and is inspired by the rich musical histories of these places. Chicago native Bergman brings a solid blues and folk influence to the group while Moore is firmly planted in the bluegrass and old-time he started playing as a boy in the hills of East Tennessee. Bergman was trained in classical and jazz piano and started playing guitar and writing songs in early high school. Moore began learning tunes at a young age from his mother, an accomplished fiddler and ballad singer, and went on to play guitar, bass, and mandolin with various bluegrass bands in Tennessee and Montana. Since first teaming up in 2005, Bergman and Moore have collaborated with numerous string players and toured the Midwest, Southeast, and Northwest United States as a duo and as members of other projects.