Born: January 20, 1941 Primary Instrument: Vocal
Here’s the opportunity to discover a fine jazz singer. Brooks's sound gives new meaning to familiar lyrics and turns old favorites into fresh, exciting musical experiences. Her classy brand of jazz bridges the gaps between generations.
A smooth, mature and trained voice that delivers sultry, sophisticated, and dynamic jazz, passionate, moving Gospel and a truly vast repertoire of familiar and less well known standards, jazz tunes, R&B, pop and a little Country in her own style and arrangements.
Her 7 CDs on sale: “Great Women of Jazz: A Tribute” (based on the show by Suzanne Brooks) and “Listening To The Radio (original single, words & music by Brooks) released December, 2005. “Even Sad Memories Are Sweet” and “Miles to Go Before I Sleep” were released in 2003 and 2004. Also “Lasting Impression,” “Aurora,” and “The Strength To Go On.” New projects are underway, with many more of her originals.
Brooks is a songwriter, writer of poems, stories, essays and show scripts, as well as a hula dancer. She sings in Spanish, French and Hawaiian. She owns Creative Concepts Systems--a consulting firm and recording studio and is CEO, International Association for Women of Color Day. Originally from Philadelphia, PA, she now lives in California, recording on her own label, Women of Color Day.
Brooks has worked and recorded with an array of talented musicians, including Reggie Graham, noted Sacramento jazz/Gospel musician and good friend. Graham has performed in John Hendricks's “The Evolution of The Blues” and with Dizzy Gillespie, among others. He has also co-written the song “Lasting Impression” with Brooks. Another collaborator, musician, jazz educator Michele Weir contributed the arrangement of “Listening to the Radio.”
In 2003 Brooks formed her own band, The Jazz Generation. The Jazz Generation musicians are a superb group including Chris Lee, keyboard; Terry Bickum, trumpet, Matt Sawhill, bass and Big John Evans, drums. Brooks also performs duets with guitarist Gabe Stivala.
In the past, featured artists have included Reggie Graham keyboard, Domenico Stocchi, bass; Rachel Stocchi, drums; Skip Murphy, drums; Chris Lentine bass; Eric Tillman, keyboard; Jimmy Malone, keyboard; Steve Krohn, guitar and keyboard.
The atmosphere of The Jazz Generation is a positive thing to experience, always a diversified group that swings, is entertaining and wonderful to observe.
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