SUZANNE BROOKS, Jazz Stylist, with a smooth, mature voice delivers sophisticated jazz vocals & moving interpretations of lyrics. Known also for passionate and moving Gospel and a repertoire of R&B, Salsa and Country tunes, as well as jazz, she delivers in a style all her own.
An array of fine musicians accompany Brooks live and recording 4 CDs that can be found under her name at cdbaby.com. Some also perform in shows and some frequently in her band, aptly named The Jazz Generation. Featured on the CD "Great Women of Jazz: A Tribute" is Rolin Shafer, keyboardist, who accompanied Brooks for nearly two years; Domenico Stocchi, French bass player; Rachel Stocchi, drummer; & Odell Ross, guitarist. Her single, "Listening To The Radio" features Reggie Graham, well known jazz and Gospel pianist on this touching song music/lyrics by Brooks in 2005 in memory of Jack Hall, a grandson of slaves and son of sharecroppers, who hired her as his biographer in the last year of his life with the arrangement by Michele Weir, well known singer/pianist and jazz educator.
In 2003, Brooks recorded CDs Even Sad Memories Are Sweet and Miles To Go, Before I Sleep with Eric Tillman, keyboardist who formerly accompanied the Temptations.
Recent/Upcoming Events
UPCOMING
Beginning June 10, 2006, 6-9pm, Regular gig at Ella's Southern Catfish, 9080 Laguna Main, Elk Grove, CA.
August, 2006, The Great Women of Jazz Show, in Sacramento. Write for details: CreativeSy@aol.com.
September, 2006, Rocklin, CA Annual School fundraiser. Date TBA.
RECENT EVENTS
Private event, June 10,2006
May 20, 2006, University of California Davis Black Family Day: The Jazz Generation--Suzanne Brooks, vocals; Chris Lee, keyboard; Big John Evans, drums; featured bass player. Location: Stage on the Quad. Time: 2:30pm.
April 22, 2006, Women's Civic Improvement Club, 3555 3rd Avenue, Sacramento. Open House. 2-6pm.
March 31, 2006, Cesar Chavez Commemoration, Galeria Posada, 1421 R Street, Sacramento: Suzanne Brooks w/Gabe Stivala on guitar.
March 11, ,2006, International Women's Day Event, Galeria Posada, 1421 R Street, Sacramento: Suzanne Brooks w/Gabe Stivala on guitar.
March 5, 2006: 20th Founding Anniversary of Women of Color Day/15th Anniversary of Women of Color Day in California. Ben Ali Shrine, 3262 Marysville Blvd., Sacramento, CA
Sat. October 22, 2005, private event-wedding
Sat. October 29, 2005, 6 to 10 pm
Sacramento Multicultural-
NEW ORLEANS HURRICANE RELIEF Community Event
(Show Coordination by The Jazz Generation) Location:
Ben Ali Shrine, 3262 Marysville Blvd.,Sacramento
FEATURED PERFORMERS include:
The Jazz Generation and Pastor Calvin Little/Gospel, Hyfie for Christ, praise dancer, Hard Hitters, Hip Hop, Crazy Baldhead, George Oliver, praise dancer, Clyde, Hula, Capital City Artists Collective
Frankie Lee, Karl King, Carla Fleming, Vendors/Exhibitors
Sponsors: Ben Ali Shrine, Metropolitan Arts Commission
The Salvation Army (fiscal agent/recipient)
Tickets: $10 in advance; $15 at door
Ticket/Program Information (916) 483-9804
Donations:The Salvation Army Community Relations
(916) 563-2732
Sat. November 12, 2005 Concert, Genesis Baptist Church, Meadowview Road, Sacramento, 8pm to midnight
November, 2005 Suzanne Brooks, Artist in Residence for California Middle School, Sacramento, CA funded by Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission
Saturday December 31
New Year's Eve Party and Show, Comedy by Carl & Sam, opening act
Vibe with Music by Al Zaid, opening band
Groove w/The Jazz Generation, headliner
Suzanne Brooks, Vocals; Chris Lee, Keyboard
Big John Evans, Drums; Dave Shantz--Slim Chance, Bass
Saturday, October 8, 2005, 11:00am to 3:00pm: The Jazz Generation performs at Del Paso Family & Mens Health Program sponsored by the Firehouse Community Center and Office of California Senator Deborah Ortiz @ The Firehouse Community Center
Friday, September 2, 2005: The Jazz Generation performs in Qs Juke Joint A Sacramento Musical Showcase@ The Plantation Restaurant, 1022 Del Paso Blvd, Sacramento. Special guests at the event will include A/R Representatives, Record Label Execs, Producers, Promoters, Club Owners and more.
Saturday, September 3, 2005, 4:00pm: The Jazz Generation performs in Wonderful Productions Multicultural Wedding Showcase at the California State Fair.
June 21 to September 2, 2005 The Savvy Singer, class teaching vocals and the business of showbusiness, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 1:30 to 3:00pm. For youth ages 8 to 22, World Arts Summer Youth Program of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission: Suzanne Brooks serves as faculty and developed class curriculum with visiting musicians, including Rolin Shafer and Skip Murphy of The Jazz Generation for Summer Youth program
Saturday, September 10, 2005, 3:00pm, Suzanne Brooks performs in Isleton Multicultural Event
Saturday, September 17, 2005 Private Performance
August 13, 2005 World Arts Program 2nd Saturday Art Exhibition: The Jazz Generation performs alone and as support for World Arts vocal students, 4104 Martin Luther King Blvd., Sacramento, CA
July 16, 2005 Featured Artists, Capital City Artists Collective Workshop, 4320 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento,
July 9, 2005 World Arts Program 2nd Saturday Art Exhibition: The Jazz Generation performed alone and as support for World Arts vocal students, 4104 Martin Luther King Blvd., Sacramento, CA
June 11, 2005 Gaffers Global Arts Film Festival, Los Angeles, at dinner
June 4, 2005 GaffersGlobal Arts Film Festival, Rancho Cordova Marriott, afternoon performance with the Rolin Shafer and at evening dinner
June 21 to September 2, 2005
"The Savvy Singer" a course in vocal jazz and improve as well as the business of singing will be taught by Suzanne Brooks, vocalist of The Jazz Generation and local author, educator and hula dancer, for two summer sessions in the World Arts Program of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission. The classes run in two sessions from June 21 to September 2 and will be held in Oak Park at 4104 Martin Luther King Blvd. (formerly St. Hope Academy). Other classes include Poetry in Motion, Batik, Communicating Our Story, Rap:Writing & Revolution, Independent Zine, Redesign Your Mind, Cultura y Re-Generation, Intro to 3D Concepts, Fiesta of Paper, Art Revoltierra, and Photo/Video Storybook. All classes are free to youth 8 to 22. Registration is open until June 15, 2005. More information is available at (916) 566-3992 and www.sacculture.org
Private parties scheduled for June and September, 2005.
June 4, 2005: Gaffers Film Festival, Marriott Hotel, Rancho Cordova, CA
May 27-29, 2005: Three day series of The Jazz Generation @ The Clarion featured noted conga/percussionist Kamau Mensah and well known guitarrist Rick Zamora along with Brooks, Shafer, Murphy and Lentinethe regular members of the ensemble.
Tuesday, February 8, 2005, 6:30 pm seating: Arden Arcade MARDI GRAS event: Buffet & Show (beverages not included) @ at The Persian Garden Restaurant,
1596 Howe Avenue, Sacramento. Jazz West presents The Jazz Generation's
"Great Women of Jazz"-- a narrated, musical history of women in jazz from 1890 to 1990, with complementary dance/vocals by members of Capital Citiy Artists Collective. This is the second performance of "Great Women of Jazz" which premiered on November 20, 2004 and has received great attention and excellent reviews. Buffet+ Show: $29 (beverages not included).
(Reservations encouraged) (916) 648-3988
Tuesday, February 8, 2005, 9:30 pm to Midnight Arden Arcade MARDI GRAS JAM SESSION with Jazz Generation and Friends @ at The Persian Garden Restaurant, 1596 Howe Avenue, Sacramento. $12 Admission ( $6.00 credited to Dining/Beverages from Menu) (Reservations encouraged) (916) 648-3988
Friday, January 28, 2005 and March 4, 2005: Jazz West presented The Jazz Generation on Friday Nights at The Persian Garden Restaurant, 1596 Howe Avenue, Sacramento. 2 Shows every Friday night. 6:30pm seating Buffet + Show: $17.99 (beverages not included); 9:30pm seating has $20 minimum for Show + $13.00 credited to Dining/Beverages from Menu. (Reservations encouraged) (916) 648-3988 This will also be a CD Release Party for newest CD by Suzanne Brooks.
October 22 to December 19, 2004 in The Vagina Monologues,
The Geery Theatre, 22nd and L Streets, Sacramento
November 13, 2004 8 pm Live Jazz Vocals with Rolin Shafer, Keyboardist
Starbucks, 35th Street & Broadway:
Starbucks Coffee Company
3434 Broadway, Sacramento 95817
Saturday, November 20, 2004, 6pm -10pm
Saturday, November 20, 6pm -10pm
MAKING THINGS GROW
Honoring Achievement - Joyfully Remembering the Past,
Sharing So Others Can Live - 1st Annual Thanksgiving Fundraiser Event Benefitting Sacramento Area Non-profit Organizations including Lutheran Social Services,
Capital City Artists Collective and Gentlemen's Black-Owned Business Association which is working to establish a residential facility for people with multiple sclerosis.
AWARDS TO PEOPLE WHO MAKE THINGS GROW - Honorees will include Phil Goldvarg (posthumously) & Lunas Cafe. The World Premiere of "GREAT WOMEN OF JAZZ":Music & History Live by THE JAZZ GENERATION - ALSO ON THE PROGRAM: Music by Capital City Artists Collective & A Marketplace of Exhibitors and Vendors Refreshments Provided. TICKETS $60 Location: BEN ALI SHRINE, 3262 Marysville Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95615 - For Information, Tickets, Ads, Exhibits (Exhibit space limited to 20 indoor; 6 outdoor (for automobile dealers).
Contact Creative Concepts Systems
3325 Northrop AvenueSacramento, CA 95864
Phone (916) 483-9804 Fax (916) 483-9805
Email: CreativeSy@aol.com
Website:www.creativeconsys.com
Thursday, December 8, 2005, Private Party, Clarion Hotel, Sacramento
Friday, December 9, 2005
7 to 10:30pm Has been moved from UE Sports Bar & Grill to a larger venue:
THE RICE BOWL, 2378 Florin Rd, Sacramento Restaurant Reservations (916) 421-8492
$5 Cover Charge Free CD Samplers to First 50
CD Release Party & Show by The Jazz Generation: Suzanne Brooks, vocalist/manager; Rolin Shafer, keyboard/bandleader; Dominico Stocchi, standup bass; Rachel Stocchi, drums/trumpet. Releasing single, "Listening To The Radio" (a song about Sacramentan John Hall, lyrics and music by Suzanne Brooks) and Album, "Great Women of Jazz: A Tribute" based on the show, "Great Women of Jazz" written by Suzanne Brooks and featuring representative songs of great singers including Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Bessie Smith, Nina Simone, Annie Ross, Rosemary Clooney, Astrud Gilberto, Blossom Dearie, Betty Carter and Dinah Washington. Performers from the show's 2004 premiere will attend. 3 sets beginning at 7pm. Free CD samplers to first 50. New Orleans style Creole and Cajun food. This is a very special, one-of-a-kind event not to be missed.
________________________________________________________________________
Joyously discover one of the finest jazz singers. The Brooks sound gives new meaning to familiar lyrics, turning old favorites into fresh, exciting musical experiences. Suzanne Brookss classy brand of jazz bridges the gaps
We play live wherever we are hired. Suzanne enjoys singing in multiple languages and has bi-monthly vocalist workshops, "Sessions for Singers." We like to travel; would love to go to Europe since the CDs are selling there online.
Great women jazz singers: Bessie Smith, Adelaide Hall, Nina Simone, Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McCrae; Rosemary Clooney, Betty Carter, Blossom Dearie, Nancy Lamott, Annie Ross. Musicians: Miles Davis, MJQ, Ray Charles, Clifford Brown, Marcus Belgrave, George Shearing, Oscar Peterson, and more. Spirituals and Gospel music.
Suzanne Brooks is active in other arts: actress, hula dancer, writer of short stories, essays and poems, songwriter/lyricist; community organizer and activist; teacher.
