The Chris Jazz Cafe Presents SUSIE MEISSNER, 5/30

Susie sings and swings with a lush tone and playful rhythm. Growing up in Buffalo, N.Y., Susie surrounded herself in music through piano and vocal lessons, choirs, glee clubs, school musicals, and performances with local professional singing groups. Her grandmother played stride piano and her sheet music from the 20's and 30's inspired Susie to look back into the Great American songbook. In her youth, Susie began to explore the world of jazz through the recordings of Ella Fitzgerald, and after witnessing the performances by jazz greats such as Earl "Fatha" Hines, Kenny Burrell and Nancy Wilson, her interest was piqued and she started down the jazz discovery road.

Susie began her early professional career in dinner theatre (earning $7 a night!) where she became smitten with the words and music of Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and Rodgers and Hart. Susie's warm and effortless articulation puts an intimate spin on her jazz repertoire.

Meissner's 2009 debut CD release, "I'll Remember April," with trumpet sensation Brian Lynch, features her fresh and intimate vocals in a collection of much-loved jazz and Brazilian standards. Her passion and exuberance for this music is unmistakable, and her CD was chosen by W.R. Stokes of the Jazz Journalist's Association as "one of the top 20 Jazz Vocal CDs of the year." Susie's new release "I'm Confessin'" includes Wycliffe Gordon on trombone, one of the true greats on the jazz scene today. Her natural swing, ability to caress a ballad, and impressive versatility really shine on this recording. Of her appearance at the IRIDIUM in New York City, Joe Lang of Jersey Jazz Journal wrote "she's as impressive in live performance as she is on her recording." Susie is scheduled to appear at other top venues in the coming year.

To date, Susie has recorded or performed with Jazz greats including Wycliffe Gordon, Brian Lynch, Joe Magnarelli, John Swana, Freddie Hendrix, Martin Wind, Dean Johnson, Tim Horner, Lee Smith, Byron Landham and Matt Wilson.

Susie appears regularly with her 'All-Star Band' at Chris' Jazz Cafe in Philly.

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