Suzi Stern Music Events!

Hosting amazing music in our space at Casa has been an amazing and inspiring experience! The Austin Piazzola Quintet was a remarkable show. I'm still smiling from the effects of that music!

My next gig in town will be at The Elephant Room
315 Congress Ave.
GATO 6
featuring Suzi Stern
Friday, November 4th
9:30 to 1:30
GATO 6 is a blast! High Energy Latin Jazz tunes...all original and played by some of the best players in the nation...who just happen to live right here in Austin Texas!! I know the name of the band is GATO 6, but there's actually 7 of us, so there's a lot of sound comin' at cha! Come on down and party with us!!
Check out our GATO info: http://oldziey.com/gato6.php

Watch my Blog for more information about The Austin Civic Orchestra's Holiday Concert! On December 10th I will be the featured singer with the Orchestra, and I'm really looking forward to singing with all of those strings under the baton of brilliant conductor Lois Ferrari!!

Next up on the calendar at our Casa Karen series is the c.d. release concert for lovely vocalist, pianist, composer Beth Ullman, on Sat. November 5th. Beth is joined by a world class quartet and she will be featured playing on that 9 foot grand so we hope you can join us!
www.myspace.com/bethaniullman
Call (512) 459-9900 for reservations and more information!

On December 3rd, we will be featuring the amazing jazz Saxophonist Elias Haslanger and his band. Check out his sounds at http://elijazz.com (512)459-9900 for info.

On December 16th a very special holiday offering.
An original musical rendering of the Dylan Thomas Classic: "A Childs Christmas In Wales"
Jazz Sax wizard Alex Coke will be coming in from Amsterdam to join Rich Harney (piano) Buddy Mohamed (bass) and myself (Suzi Stern, as I read Thomas's text and sing my original compositions and play various wonderful strange toys) for this delightful festive performance! Free holiday sweet treats etc. as well!
Info: (512) 459-9900

Looking ahead to 2012 we have some truly exciting events planned!

Sun. Jan. 15th: Not to be missed: Cuban singer Estrella Acosta with Gabriel Santiago!!
www.myspace.com/estrellaacosta
www.myspace.com/gabrielsantiagomusic

Sat. Jan. 21st is the beautiful music of Mitchell & Harris
The c.d. release of their brilliant new c.d. "Traveling by Moonlight"
www.mitchellandharris.com

Circle this date!! FEB. 29th we predict selling out fast for this amazing not to be missed opportunity to hear:
The Eddie Gomez Trio
Eddie Gomez bass
Stefan Karlsson piano
Ed Soph drums
http://www.eddiegomez.com
stefanmikarlsson.blogspot.com
www.drummerworld.com/drummers/ed_soph.html
Call for info: and reservations now!! (512) 459-9900

I am so thrilled about having Eddie's trio play in our intimate performance space! What an honor!

The lovely photo of me on this blog is by photographer Brenda Ladd. Brenda is a world renowned artist. Check out her work at:
www.brendaladdphoto.com

Other exciting news in my world of music! Two beautiful c.d.s are in the works. One is my project "Sleep Walking Girl" which is a c.d. of my original compositions...My son Rene being my most outspoken fan put me up to the challenge of releasing a c.d. that was only tunes that I had penned...it's not really jazz...not pop...not really anything I can describe, but the playing on it so far is fantastic and I love everyone who has worked on it so much! And, closer to being finished is the GATO 6 c.d, which is sounding amazing. This is George's baby and I'm proud to be singing on it! Both projects will be out in the world in the spring of 2012!

Suzi Stern presents The Austin Piazolla Quintet

It is our distinct honor to Welcome the Austin Piazzolla Quintet as our next featured musical offering in the Casa Karen Series!
Check out their beautiful sounds at: http://www.myspace.com/austinpiazzollaquintet

APQ is a phenomenally exciting and polished ensemble that features the music of the beloved Argentinian tango composer, Astor Piazzolla. I first heard the music of Piazzolla in my late teens and it truly changed my life. Please come share this special evening with us!

On October 2nd, APQ will be playing in concert in a very comfortable and intimate setting at Casa Karen, the home of musicians George Oldziey and Suzi Stern. Casa Karen has become a prestigious Austin concert series which has quickly become the venue to enjoy music in a quiet space conducive to listening!

There is limited seating so call for reservations soon!

Casa Karen Concert
Sunday, October 2
7 to 9 PM (doors open at 6:30)
7402 Greenhaven Drive
Reservations: 512-459-9900
Tickets $20
Refreshments provided!

Drew Nelson at Casa Karen

Producer Chuck Pinnell presents: C.D. Release Concert of Dark River
Award winning singer/ songwriter DREW NELSON in concert at Casa Karen
with special guests Suzi Stern & Erin Ivy

Wednesday September 14th
Casa Karen
7402 Greenhaven Drive
Austin Texas 78757

$20 Call for reservations (512) 459-9900 credit cards accepted via phone!
Doors open at 7:00 show starts at 7:30 sharp
Free refreshments!

The Dark River project is a collection of classic public-domain material from the Civil War era interpreted by some of Austin’s finest singer/songwriters. It begins with a young man on his way to the battle of Shiloh, through the years of blood and glory and concludes on the streets of Laredo. Produced by Chuck Pinnell and featuring a wide array of great talent, Dark River’s stunning performances and arrangements present a vibrant narrative about America’s most convulsive decade.
Dark River will be released by Blue Corn Music September 13th, 2011, and will be available through Amazon, iTunes, and other major music retailers.

Track Listing:
1. Shiloh – Warren Hood
 2. Hard Times – Drew Nelson
3. Swing Low – Rebecca Folsom and Celeste Krenz
4. She Moved Through the Fair – Slaid Cleaves
5. Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier – Erin Ivey
6. The Last Rose of Summer – Chuck Pinnell
7. Lorena – Jimmy LaFave
8. Oh! Susanna – Suzi Stern
9. Jack of Diamonds – Jon Dee Graham
10. Colorado Trail – Eliza Gilkyson
11. The Yellow Rose of Texas – Rich Brotherton
12. Red River Valley – James McMurtry
13. I Ride an Old Paint – Rita Hosking
14. The Streets of Laredo – Slaid Cleaves
15. Home, Sweet Home – Jeff Plankenhorn


Casa Karen Concerts present a rare opportunity to hear and support live music in a quiet intimate environment!
Thank you for supporting this endeavor in the heart of Texas!
We hope to see you soon!
Suzi Stern & George Oldziey
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Every generation has its poets; the writers, musicians, and lyricists who capture the spirit and longings of their time. Those who give expression to our own personal memories and dreams as though they know us. They tell our stories, giving us the words we need to celebrate or let go. That is the soil in which singer/songwriter Drew Nelson has been toiling. Legendary songwriter John Gorka said “Drew’s songs sound like the rest of us feel. His characters are anything but defeated. They are dazed, angry, amazed and climbing.”



Drew Nelson’s latest album, Dusty Road to Beulah Land marks a notable growth in his standing as a songwriter and musician. Each song brings another side of Drew to the forefront, expanding beyond his folk-singer roots to embrace wider genres.

In the follow up to Nelson’s acclaimed independent release Immigrant Son, he proves he is not only a great songwriter but as a great storyteller. Singer/songwriter Meg Hutchinson says “it’s not often that someone can so aptly give voice to other people’s lives and make us believe every word.” Nelson’s stories are about the people we know, people we wish we knew, and who we are.

Within this collection of songs we find the displaced Detroit auto worker (Stranger), the love lost and wandering (Highway 2), the farmer watching his beloved landscape disappear before his eyes (Farmer’s Lament), the dazed blue collar worker shaking his head at bailouts and greed, and the deep respect and insight of Native American life and culture (Grandmother Moon, Raindance). Drew puts his feelings, and ours, into words and music that capture the spirit and soul of the world around us all with a common thread: Hope.

Dusty Road to Beulah Land was produced by longtime friend and producer Michael Crittenden in Grand Rapids, Michigan and mastered by the legendary Jerry Tubb at Terra Nova studios in Austin, Texas. Tubb first listened to the tracks a few days before he and Drew got together to see what he was getting into. When Drew arrived, Tubb told him “I’ve worked on a lot of music. Sometimes I get a salvage project; this is a record.”

“Drew Nelson’s songs move like the river under the ice. He writes like a man who has learned to make use of his setbacks, to become a voice of community and renewal,” says Andrew Calhoun of Waterbug Records. (Dusty Road to Beulah Land will be released on Waterbug Records March /09)

“Early on every writer has to decide whether to try to get at the truth or just blather,” says Signature Sounds Recording Artist, Peter Mulvey. “As you encounter the characters on this record, it becomes clear that Drew Nelson has dedicated and re-dedicated himself to getting at real human stories. Some of these characters are him, and some are people he knows, and all their stories let us know that Drew is standing in the Midwestern cold, seeing and telling as clearly as he can.”

Drew grew up in Michigan, but escaped the narrow confines of his small-town, Midwestern upbringing by joining the Navy and traveling the world. He was able to see first-hand what was really happening in the world, and come home with fresh eyes to appreciate the realities of life in America. These experiences provided insight and understanding that have found an outlet in songs filled with discovery, revelation, and hope.

Nelson is now expanding his love of music to the creation of the instruments he plays. He has just finished making his first guitar, and hopes to start a tradition of building and signing one a year to auction off for charity. In addition to giving back to us through his music, Nelson is involved in many community-based efforts to educate the next generation and make our world a better place to live. He lives what he writes.

This Friday at the Elephant Room!

This coming Friday, August 26th
Great Original Latin Jazz with:
G.A.T.O 6
At: The Elephant Room
315 Congress Ave. Austin, Texas
music from 9:30 to 1:30
G.A.T.O. 6 is: GATO (George Alan Thaddeus Oldziey) on piano, John Mills sax, Dennis Dotson trumpet, Kris Afflerbaugh bass, Wayne Salzman drums, Luiz Couthino percussion and Suzi Stern vocals

Please come join us for a great night of high energy music!! Hope to see you there!

Elephant Room Sat. Night!

This Sat. night, August 6th I will be singing with the Peter Stolzman Group at the Elephant Room! I hope you can join us to bid the amazing Mr. Stolzman a fond farewell! Peter is re-locating to Chicago next week to join the faculty of the University of Chicago and to continue his doctoral research...he will be sorely missed!

The Peter Stolzman Group
At The Elephant Room
Saturday August 6th
9:30 to 1:30
315 Congress Avenue

Peter Stolzman piano, Pat Harris bass, Steve Schwelling drums, Elias Haslanger sax and Suzi Stern joyfully sitting in!

Gabriel Santiago Concert at Casa!

An event not to be missed!
Join us for The Gabriel Santiago acoustic group at Casa!

Please circle the date! Sunday August 14th...Call 459-9900 for reservations!

It is our honor to present the wonderful Gabriel Santiago.
Born in Brazil, the 2010 ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award Winner is a world class composer, arranger, & and master guitarist. He is currently living in Austin, attending the the doctoral program in music composition at the University of Texas at Austin. Gabriel has performed with a wide variety of artists such as Esperanza Spalding, Chris Potter, Terence Blanchard, Carmen Bradford, Gilson Peranzzetta, Odair Assad, among others. He composes music for a wide variety of live ensembles, and a vast array of media. His music is influenced by everything from Brazilian folk and popular music to Jazz and Classical. (Check out the link at the bottom of this blog to hear Gabriels sounds!)

Sunday August 14th
Gabriel Santiago Group
Doors open at 6:30
Show starts at 7:00
Tickets are $20
free refreshments and treats of all sorts!
Casa is located at 7402 Greenhaven Drive 78757
call for more info. and reservations: (512) 459-9900 credit card payment accepted.

Casa Karen Jazz series is proudly presented by Suzi Stern & George Oldziey
Our big news is that we just purchased an amazing 9 foot concert grand piano for this concert series! Come meet this new addition to our family, and we hope you'll make a habit of joining us at these exclusive concerts!

Looking forward to seeing you!
Suzi & Gato!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Wm_bY0ZajA

Join us for Gabriel Santiago at Casa!

Please circle the date! Sunday August 14th...

It is our honor to present the wonderful Gabriel Santiago.
Born in Brazil, the 2010 ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award Winner is a composer, arranger, & an acoustic and electric guitar player. He is currently living in Austin, attending the the doctoral program in music composition at the University of Texas at Austin. Gabriel has performed with a wide variety of artists such as Esperanza Spalding, Chris Potter, Terence Blanchard, Carmen Bradford, Gilson Peranzzetta, Odair Assad, among others. He has been composing music for a wide variety of ensembles, styles and media. His music is influenced by everything from Brazilian folk and popular music to Jazz and Classical music as well. Check out the link at the bottom of this blog.

Sunday August 14th
Gabriel Santiago Group
Doors open at 6:30
Show starts at 7:00
Tickets are $20
free refreshments and treats of all sorts!
Casa is located at 7402 Greenhaven Drive 78757
call for more info. and reservations: (512) 459-9900 credit card payment accepted.

Casa Karen Jazz series is proudly presented by Suzi Stern & George Oldziey
Our big news is that we just purchased an amazing 9 foot concert grand piano for this concert series! Come meet this new addition to our family, and we hope you'll make a habit of joining us at these exclusive concerts!

Looking forward to seeing you!
Suzi & Gato!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Wm_bY0ZajA