I've been off of the computer and away from my blog site for so long that I almost forgot how to log in!
Well, hello again! Here's what's up: I have been busy the past two years co-producing a wonderful music festival here in Austin. The concept is "Women led bands" not that all the collaborations are made solely with women but women are in the leadership role in each ensemble...playing their own music, with a woman's vision, leading their own bands...all styles of music...not just jazz but improvisation is definitely at the heart of each set. It is so inspiring to see women like trumpeter Ingrid Jensen at the helm performing her amazing compositions...and the extraordinary jazz pianist Helen Sung who were two of our featured artists at last years festival.
We also have an entire day of clinics in improvisation and ensemble work for aspiring young musicians, culminating in a master class to experience having that ultimate spontaneous musical conversation with a professional rhythm section. In 2019 we hope to get enough funding to extend the festival to a longer weekend with more educational opportunities.
This year has a broad and varied offering of musical styles from Texas singer song writers Emily Gimble and LeeAnn Atherton to the astounding jazz drummer Allison Miller and grammy nominated Jazz violinist Sara Caswell to jazz pianist and festival artistic director Peggy Stern (no relation!) and I'm thrilled to have the chance to showcase some new compositions that I wrote for the occasion to be premiered with my group which will also be featured at Lulufest this year.
If you're in the Austin area I hope you can make it to the concerts which begin at 5:00 and go until 10:00 PM in the beautiful newly renovated Jones Hall at Saint Edwards University. more details, like location, directions, tickets to purchase etc. at: www.lulu-fest.com
Happy spring to all of you...Happy Easter...Happy Passover....happy whatever you celebrate to announce the coming of spring! We had the sweetest seder with friends and family around the table discussing the green of spring...the renewal of life and hope that it brings and how precious freedom is.
Hope to see you on the 14th and thank you for reading my blog!
Much Love,
Suzi
Saturday April 14th
6:00
at
St. Edwards University
3001 South Congress
Ragsdale Center, Jones Auditorium
The Suzi Stern Group
with
George Oldziey piano, Paul Unger bass, Joey Colarusso woodwinds,
Javier Chaparro violin and David Sierra Drums
Directions, tickets and all the information you need at: http://lulu-fest.com/index/
I’ll be premiering several new compositions! Hope to see you there!
Musically Yours,
Suzi
