Gail Ann Dorsey joined forces with Sara Lee at the inaugural O Positive Festival in Kingston, NY.

Known individually as celebrated bass players as well as songwriters, each has accompanied some of the most influential artists in music. Their friendship is relaxed and honest, spanning twenty years, both on and off the stage.

“I got lucky enough to be able to stand behind or beside some of the greatest people in music,” said Gail Ann Dorsey. Indeed, the list is jaw dropping, including David Bowie, Gwen Stefani, Jane Siberry, Carly Simon, Olivia Newton-John and Tears for Fears, among others.

“When I say it, it sort of blows my mind,” she laughed.

Though she plays primarily bass, she also sings, plays guitar and drums, never mind create her own magical songs.

“I feel like I have the best of both worlds,” said Dorsey. “Bass has been my bread and butter. Bass has been my calling card.”

“With Bowie I play a bit of everything,” she added. “I even play clarinet on some recordings.”

“Gail can probably pick up most instruments and learn how to play them,” said Sara Lee.

Sara Lee holds an equally impressive resume, having performed with Robert Fripp’s League of Gentlemen, Gang of Four, Thompson Twins, B-52s, Indigo Girls, Ani DiFranco, Melissa Ferrick, Prophet Omega and Todd Rundgren.

Primarily a bass guitarist, Sara Lee also sings and continually explores expanding musical horizons with her own songwriting and diverse instrumentation.

“I played the penny whistle with the Indigo Girls,” she laughed.

The two were introduced in London in 1992 at an Indigo Girls concert in which Sara Lee was performing. Gail Ann Dorsey had a solo show a few days later, and Sara Lee returned the favor. They became fast friends, and soon musical collaborators. In fact, Sara Lee was the executive producer on Gail Ann Dorsey’s latest solo record.

“Sometimes we played together with the Indigo Girls, with two basses,” said Sara Lee, “which was unusual”.

“We did that on Jay Leno,” reminisced Gail Ann Dorsey.

So a friendship became professional?

“There are no professionals here,” laughed Dorsey humbly.

Raised in England, Sara Lee made the Hudson Valley her home in the spring of 1984, at the tail end of the Gang Of Four’s farewell tour.

“The musicians here were very inspiring,” said Sara Lee. “They obviously took their craft very seriously.”

Excited about the opportunity to play with such a caliber of musicians, she packed up her apartment in England and made the leap.

Having spent eleven years in London, Gail Ann Dorsey visited Sara Lee in Woodstock in 1994. She was struck by the Hudson Valley and in short order moved to Uptown Kingston. Dorsey found the vicinity to Manhattan, spirit of aneighborhood, and access to nature the makings of a compelling home, one in which she has remained loyal for fifteen years.

“I really do love it here,” said Gail Ann Dorsey. “It’s almost like the Brooklyn of New York State. There’s a lot of creative potential, and people feel it.”

“It’s the grit in Kingston that makes it appealing to me,” she continued. “It’s a little rough around the edges… I can’t think of anyplace else I’d want to live.”

Both Sara Lee and Gail Ann Dorsey credit Kingston’s sense of community with embodying the spirit that developed the O Positive Festival.

“It did make people more aware that there is this network of artists thatcould actually be brought together to do different things for the benefit of the community,” said Sara Lee.

Though incredibly humble about their gifts and contribution to music, both Gail Ann Dorsey and Sara Lee were moved by O Positive’s premise that artists deserve health care.

“Art is not a take it or leave it thing,” explained Dorsey. “Art is very much a part of survival as human beings. What people do comes from the spirit of what we are. We are naturally born to be artists. It’s not frivolous, I think it’s our very existence,” she proclaimed.

“We’ve spent 25 years developing our skills,” said Sara Lee.

“You better believe it,” added Dorsey. “Skill is skill, no matter where you apply it.”

The core premise of O Positive- of exchanging art for health care- was one in which both artists immediately resonated.

“The best thing that you can offer to someone is not always money,” said Dorsey. “We always assume that this is what always has to be exchanged. Maybe that’s not really the best payment,” she said.

“It’s important to start to think that this is a good way to operate,” said Sara Lee. “We can all receive what we need, but we just need to give it.”

"That is what intrigued me about O Positive,” said Dorsey. “People will actually offer something of themselves and not just of their wallet. We all need something from each other in some way- even if it’s just a kind hello. It shines a nice light on that kind of interaction with people... If we do have skills, whether it’s music or writing or painting, to me, this is far more valuable then money.”

“And to bring people together as a result,” added Sara Lee. “People from different backrounds and different work areas and groups. It all helps to create a better world, really, when you have a strong community and you’re willing to give within your own community.”

Like all participating artists in the festival, both Sara Lee and Gail Ann Dorsey received medical benefits in exchange for their stellar performances. Despite their accolades in the music industry, the services were greatly appreciated.

“These lenses came from O Positive,” said Sara Lee proudly. “I’d been using glasses that had not been good for my eyes for a year.” Additionally, Sara Lee saw an occupational therapist for her wrist and received a dental treatment from Tom Cingel, one of the founders of the O Positive Festival. Gail Ann Dorsey got a well-deserved massage in addition to her eye consultation.

And on the future of the festival?

“I think it was a tremendous idea that Tom Cingel had, and I hope this becomes a movement across the United States,” said Sara Lee. “If this idea could be expanded, it could be the beginning of something very important.”

“The initial connection has to remain pure in some way,” said Dorsey. “I would hope that it will remain in little communities all over the country, all over the world. Really keeping it as a personal thing.”