I had the opportunity to hang out with my wonderful 6 year old nephew last weekend. I'm blown away by the change in him in just a few months...like he stepped through a portal into a big boy phase over night. He is thoughtful and interactive and funny and so articulate starting sentences with things like "well actually" or " I think this is a really good idea...what do you think..." going on to explain his theory about whatever. He is awesome and I adore him.
But I also noticed what I think to be a distinctly male thing that he started doing recently. It was reminiscent of Neil Sandler who sat next to me in Mrs. McMurrys class in 1st grade. Both Neil and my nephew have / had this propensity to make crazy eyes all of the sudden while sticking out his tongue and jumping up and down, screaming with wild excitement then running across the room throwing his body onto the couch, popping back up and repeating the process a few times before moving onto speaking in tounges "ga, la, ma, go go, gaga gogo gooo poo poo!!! while walking like a penguin.
I would just sit quietly and watch this process like a fascinating floor show and be in awe of his explosive energy.
I'm always tired.
It started me thinking about how boys have had this characteristic forever I guess...because the boys in my first grade class acted this way and even when I was myself a first grader I thought the male humanoid strange...different from me in ways beyond my understanding at the time...interesting and a bit over zealous and loud. Erratic. Explosive. Obnoxious?
So maybe the fact that 80.7% of our United States Congress is run by the male humanoid explains a lot. Hmmm. Boys to Men who still act like Boys making most of the big important world changing serious decisions for us.
I have a son who is an amazing man...my nephew will grow into an amazing man...this is our hope. That we raise strong women and smart men, but I am reminded that in 2 days we will inaugurate a man with a 6 year old mentality to become the 45th president of the United States. "Well actually" 6 year olds have longer attention spans.
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Onward towards the next phase
It's pouring rain in Austin today. Once again I start my blog by talking about the weather. I feel a change in my creative process when the weather changes, so I love the variables that constantly occur outside my window; a cold gloomy, damp day can inspire.
Speaking of inspirations: My 98 year old mum had been visiting us here in Austin from Buffalo NY She flew home yesterday. She is everyone's hero. At 98 she is still traveling...still cooking and reading volumes of books and is highly opinionated...Rachel Maddow is her hero. She keeps a positive perspective about some pretty extreme changes in the world, politically and environmentally...in her words "we'll get through this period...we'll all muddle through." Her calm approach to life explains why she's so old, no??
This year I'll be traveling to L.A. for longer periods of time to work and teach and lend support to my husband George while he works with his composition and orchestration talents out there. We'll have homes in both Austin and Pasadena. (pretending we're rich!) We're both excited, a bit nervous but definitely completely optimistic about this new chapter. I love change and this is definitely a big change.
George and I will be in Austin the end of Feb. to play the Elephant Room with GATO 6
http://www.elephantroom.com/ and I hope if you're free on March 5th you can make it to hear my band perform for the Austin Jazz Society.
http://www.austinjazzsociety.org/Monthly-Event-Schedule.html
This is my photo shoot team from the last project "Romancing the Dark" They are all amazing artists and have projects going on all over the world at the moment. I was so fortunate to work with them.
My stylist Selena Pinnell, Videographer René Pinnell and photographer Brenda Ladd.
See you post inauguration day...in a new era.
Have your voices be heard and be loud in light of positive change for the future. Spread love, make more music and art, and thank you for being interested in this little artist enough to have read all the way through my ramblings!
Besos,
Suzi
Speaking of inspirations: My 98 year old mum had been visiting us here in Austin from Buffalo NY She flew home yesterday. She is everyone's hero. At 98 she is still traveling...still cooking and reading volumes of books and is highly opinionated...Rachel Maddow is her hero. She keeps a positive perspective about some pretty extreme changes in the world, politically and environmentally...in her words "we'll get through this period...we'll all muddle through." Her calm approach to life explains why she's so old, no??
This year I'll be traveling to L.A. for longer periods of time to work and teach and lend support to my husband George while he works with his composition and orchestration talents out there. We'll have homes in both Austin and Pasadena. (pretending we're rich!) We're both excited, a bit nervous but definitely completely optimistic about this new chapter. I love change and this is definitely a big change.
George and I will be in Austin the end of Feb. to play the Elephant Room with GATO 6
http://www.elephantroom.com/ and I hope if you're free on March 5th you can make it to hear my band perform for the Austin Jazz Society.
http://www.austinjazzsociety.org/Monthly-Event-Schedule.html
This is my photo shoot team from the last project "Romancing the Dark" They are all amazing artists and have projects going on all over the world at the moment. I was so fortunate to work with them.
My stylist Selena Pinnell, Videographer René Pinnell and photographer Brenda Ladd.
See you post inauguration day...in a new era.
Have your voices be heard and be loud in light of positive change for the future. Spread love, make more music and art, and thank you for being interested in this little artist enough to have read all the way through my ramblings!
Besos,
Suzi
Saturday, January 7, 2017
A New Year...
It's freezing in Texas! We had 18 degrees here last night! It's beautifully seasonal and I've gotta say I'm really glad that I have a fireplace.
It feels like a good time to look inward, think about what I want to accomplish in this new year, write more music, stress less, exercise more, and be more active in helping out where ever...however I can to motivate positive change in the world...more now than ever I feel it's necessary to have our voices be heard. Art and music can be such a beautiful and powerful catalyst for positive change in the world and social justice. Thank you to all of you who have inspired me to continue on my path as a writer. I want 2017 to be a year with forward movement, forward thinking, more kindness, less discrimination, NO discrimination...wouldn't that be amazing...tolerance..an end to violence and hate. I'm forever the optimist.
Stay warm...
Stay hopeful.
Happy New Year!
Monday, September 19, 2016
Austin, Dallas, Portland and Seattle!
Hey Everyone!
Last week we hosted a truly amazing concert at Casa Karen featuring Sorin Zlat on piano. He is a monster player!! I'm definitely a new fan. Check him out! We had a great audience and the entire evening was truly special. Great friends, great music and now some beautiful musical memories. Here's a shot of the band getting ready to go on. From Left to right, drummer Daniel Dufour, pianist Sorin Zlat, sax Woody Witt and bass David Craig.
I hope to get Sorin back to Austin soon!
Coming up next:
Thursday Sept 22nd please join us (if you live in the Austin area), at:
the Elephant Room,
315 Congress Ave. Austin, Texas
9:30 to 1:30
The Suzi Stern Quintet
with
George Oldziey / accordion and piano
Wayne Salzmann / drums
John Mills / woodwinds
Paul Unger / double bass
on
Friday Sept. 23rd
The Suzi Stern Quintet
jazz at:
The Kitchen Dallas Texas
I'll be singing with the fabulous Dave Monsch on woodwinds, Dennis Durick drums, Paul Unger Bass and George Oldziey piano
Dallas, Texas
I'll be singing with the fabulous Dave Monsch on woodwinds, Dennis Durick drums, Paul Unger Bass and George Oldziey piano
Dallas, Texas
Info and details here: http://kitchencafedallas.com/
I'll be looking forward to doing some work in the recording studio up in Dallas with the remarkable Paul Unger that weekend as well. I have to take Sat. night off to go catch Jimmy Cobb, who will be up in Dallas if at all possible!
In October:
A tiny tour of the Pacific North West!
October 18th
at
Jimmy Maks in Portland Oregon
Suzi Stern voice
Peggy Stern piano
Paul Unger bass
October 19th
Bates House Concert Series
Seattle Washington
Suzi Stern voice
Peggy Stern piano
Paul Unger bass
Call for more info. (512) 924-5821
Several private events will keep me up in the Oregon / Washingtonarea until the end of October.
Back in Austin
October 28th
The Elephant Room
GATO 6
Suzi Stern with Gato piano & accordion, Seth Carper sax, Jimmy Shortel tpt, Alex Browne bass, Bruno Venezof perc, Aaron Easleydrums
Suzi Stern with Gato piano & accordion, Seth Carper sax, Jimmy Shortel tpt, Alex Browne bass, Bruno Venezof perc, Aaron Easleydrums
I will be singing with this fun, high energy crazy latin jazz band again!
Come check it out! One of my absolute favorite bands!
9:30 to 1:30
315 Congress Ave.
More details on the early winter months coming up, but circleNovember 13th!! I will be hosting the Helen Sung ensemble at Casa Karen!!!! casakaren.org for tickets
And I'm really excited to be singing with a full orchestra at the Austin Civic Orchestra's holiday Concert December 10th!
Thank you for reading my blog and hope to see you at a show or two or three!
Musically Yours,
Suzi
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Fall is around the corner!
I get a happy feeling in my tummy thinking about autumn coming soon with a shift in the light, cool breezes after sunset and finally being able to take long walks with out breaking out in a gross sweat!
Living in Austin Texas, I'm never sad to say goodbye to summer.
With the fall months comes some fantastic musical events that I'm very excited to be a part of.
First of all, Thursday September 15th I will be hosting the brilliant award winning jazz pianist Sorin Zlat at our Casa Karen House Concert Series. Along with Sorin will be Texas based woodwind player Woody Witt, bassist David Craig and drummer Daniel Dufour.
I cannot wait to hear Sorin play on our beautiful concert grand piano!
More about Sorin here: http://sorinzlat.com/
And tickets and details are at casakaren.org
free drinks, and snacks and an amazing attentive quiet audience!!
Living in Austin Texas, I'm never sad to say goodbye to summer.
With the fall months comes some fantastic musical events that I'm very excited to be a part of.
First of all, Thursday September 15th I will be hosting the brilliant award winning jazz pianist Sorin Zlat at our Casa Karen House Concert Series. Along with Sorin will be Texas based woodwind player Woody Witt, bassist David Craig and drummer Daniel Dufour.
I cannot wait to hear Sorin play on our beautiful concert grand piano!
More about Sorin here: http://sorinzlat.com/
And tickets and details are at casakaren.org
free drinks, and snacks and an amazing attentive quiet audience!!
Then on Thursday Sept 22nd please join us (if you live in the Austin area), at:
the Elephant Room,
315 Congress Ave. Austin, Texas
9:30 to 1:30
The Suzi Stern Quintet
with
George Oldziey / accordion and piano
Wayne Salzmann / drums
John Mills / woodwinds
Paul Unger / double bass
on
Friday Sept. 23rd
The Suzi Stern Quintet
jazz at:
The Kitchen Dallas Texas
I'll be singing with the fabulous Dave Monsch on woodwinds, Dennis Durick drums, Paul Unger Bass and George Oldziey piano
Dallas, Texas
I'll be singing with the fabulous Dave Monsch on woodwinds, Dennis Durick drums, Paul Unger Bass and George Oldziey piano
Dallas, Texas
Info and details here: http://kitchencafedallas.com/
I'll be looking forward to doing some work in the recording studio up in Dallas with the remarkable Paul Unger that weekend as well. I have to take Sat. night off to go catch Jimmy Cobb, who will be up in Dallas if at all possible!
In October:
A tiny tour of the Pacific North West!
October 18th
at
Jimmy Maks in Portland Oregon
Suzi Stern voice
Peggy Stern piano
Paul Unger bass
October 19th
Bates House Concert Series
Seattle Washington
Suzi Stern voice
Peggy Stern piano
Paul Unger bass
Call for more info. (512) 924-5821
Several private events will keep me up in the Oregon / Washington area until the end of October.
Back in Austin
October 28th
The Elephant Room
GATO 6
Suzi Stern with Gato piano & accordion, Seth Carper sax, Jimmy Shortel tpt, Alex Browne bass, Bruno Venezof perc, Aaron Easley drums
Suzi Stern with Gato piano & accordion, Seth Carper sax, Jimmy Shortel tpt, Alex Browne bass, Bruno Venezof perc, Aaron Easley drums
I will be singing with this fun, high energy crazy latin jazz band again!
Come check it out! One of my absolute favorite bands!
9:30 to 1:30
315 Congress Ave.
More details on the early winter months coming up, but circle November 13th!! I will be hosting the Helen Sung ensemble at Casa Karen!!!! casakaren.org for tickets
And I'm really excited to be singing with a full orchestra at the Austin Civic Orchestra's holiday Concert December 10th!
Thank you for reading my blog and hope to see you at a show or two or three!
Musically Yours,
Suzi
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
June travels and some July Events!
Hello June!! The month that I was born, so I'm always grateful for it...and grateful to my mother of course!
June has me traveling quite a bit, (Buffalo, NYC, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland) planting seeds for future musical endeavors but I won't be active on the performing scene until I return from my north eastern escapes.
I return to work in early July hosting an Austin workshop on the 10th led by Broadway veteran Kira Carper.
Info. at suzistern@gmail.com
If you're in Austin on July 22nd please make a point to stop by the Elephant Room (315 Congress Ave.) to catch GATO 6. I always look forward to singing with this amazing high energy latin/ jazz ensemble. More info. at www.elephantroom.com
On July 30th I will be hosting New Orleans jazz vocalist Cindy Scott with Brian Seeger on guitar at our intimate home acoustic music venue, Cassa Karen! More info. at www.casakaren.org
Thank you for checking out the blog and please scroll down to read about some interesting musical events in my recent past! See you in July!!
Musically Yours,
Suzi
June has me traveling quite a bit, (Buffalo, NYC, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland) planting seeds for future musical endeavors but I won't be active on the performing scene until I return from my north eastern escapes.
I return to work in early July hosting an Austin workshop on the 10th led by Broadway veteran Kira Carper.
Info. at suzistern@gmail.com
If you're in Austin on July 22nd please make a point to stop by the Elephant Room (315 Congress Ave.) to catch GATO 6. I always look forward to singing with this amazing high energy latin/ jazz ensemble. More info. at www.elephantroom.com
On July 30th I will be hosting New Orleans jazz vocalist Cindy Scott with Brian Seeger on guitar at our intimate home acoustic music venue, Cassa Karen! More info. at www.casakaren.org
Thank you for checking out the blog and please scroll down to read about some interesting musical events in my recent past! See you in July!!
Musically Yours,
Suzi
Friday, May 20, 2016
May 2016
A few of my favorite guys who also happen to be amazingly talented musicians, are headed down to Austin from the Dallas area to back me up at the Elephant Room on May 26th.
The Suzi Stern Quintet
at
The Elephant Room
Thursday, May 26th, Austin, Texas
315 Congress Ave.
9:30 to 1:30
with
Dennis Durick on Drums, Paul Unger double bass, Dave Monsch woodwinds and my man from Austin via Brooklyn, George Oldziey on piano
Then we will all be heading over to Houston, Texas to play at one of the sweetest little jazz clubs in the country.
The Suzi Stern Quintet
Fri, May 27th
at
Cezanne
9:00 to midnight
4100 Montrose Ave. Houston, Texas
(713) 522-9621
I will be teaching a jazz vocal workshop at The Star Singers Studio in Houston on Saturday May 28th. The very gracious and talented vocalist Jane Vandiver is hosting this event. Contact Jane to reserve a place in the Saturday clinic. (713) 528-5330
The Fee is $75 for an afternoon of exciting interactive work with George Oldziey at the piano to accompany you. Group exercises and One on One work on your material, exploring technique, phrasing, song development. Bring a chart of your choice to be played by George for your accompaniment.
Contact Jane Vandiver for location and registration:
The Suzi Stern Quintet
at
The Elephant Room
Thursday, May 26th, Austin, Texas
315 Congress Ave.
9:30 to 1:30
with
Dennis Durick on Drums, Paul Unger double bass, Dave Monsch woodwinds and my man from Austin via Brooklyn, George Oldziey on piano
Then we will all be heading over to Houston, Texas to play at one of the sweetest little jazz clubs in the country.
The Suzi Stern Quintet
Fri, May 27th
at
Cezanne
9:00 to midnight
4100 Montrose Ave. Houston, Texas
(713) 522-9621
I will be teaching a jazz vocal workshop at The Star Singers Studio in Houston on Saturday May 28th. The very gracious and talented vocalist Jane Vandiver is hosting this event. Contact Jane to reserve a place in the Saturday clinic. (713) 528-5330
The Fee is $75 for an afternoon of exciting interactive work with George Oldziey at the piano to accompany you. Group exercises and One on One work on your material, exploring technique, phrasing, song development. Bring a chart of your choice to be played by George for your accompaniment.
Contact Jane Vandiver for location and registration:
jvsinger@me.com OR Call: Star Singers Studio: 713-528-5330
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