Recently, I joined a few friends at Jazz On Main in Mount Kisco, about an hour’s drive north of New York City. I heard they have a good sound system and great food. I had written an article on the exceptional guitarist, vocalist and composer Suzahn Fiering, in the past but had never seen her live, and did not know the depths of her talent. Suzahn plays a variety of styles; Jazz and Blues, Gypsy Jazz, Beatles Jazz (which is where our paths first crossed), Americana, and is also the guitarist in, The Bossa Project, a high end group specializing in Brazilian music.
Inspired by a revisit to her website and Jazzreview saying, “Suzahn ‘s music is an elegant entrée into a romantic world of dazzling virtuosity; smoky-smooth vocals, impressive guitar work, masterful scatting, critically acclaimed originals and unique interpretations of jazz classics”, I was in. But that did not prepare me for what this veteran performer delivered. And after the show I asked if I might again interview her, and she agreed. I will do my best to briefly cover the huge swath of experience and events that have led Suzahn Fiering to this point.
It wasn’t just Suzahn’s well textured, emotive, and dynamic vocal style, great guitar chops (including lead) or scatting (think Betty Carter and Mel Torme). It was her ability to pull the listener into her world, drawing us into an intricate body of original work while weaving in poignant and funny stories from the road. Suzahn tied this together with unique interpretations of Jazz classics like, Miles Davis’ Four, a mash-up of Summertime and Stolen Moments, Joy Spring, and an homage to Django Reinhardt with Nuages, which Suzahn sang it in French. One of the most impressive pieces in Suzahn’s set was her stunning arrangement and poly-rhythmic rendition of McCartney’s, “Blackbird”. It was refreshing to see a Jazz artist with an honest passion for what she does, all the while being vulnerable and willing to connect with her audience. Suzahn was supported by Marc Daine who did a great job of integrating his excellent guitar and saxophone work with hers to create an inviting overall sound.
Growing up in White Plains, New York, Suzahn came up through the school of hard knocks of the entertainment industry in New York City. Early on she made her living as an audio engineer and producer at a time when almost no women were given a seat at the table. But through hard work, sheer talent and true grit, she managed to work her way up, singing Jazz on the weekends and writing songs. After moving to Nashville TN, Suzahn continued to work in production and became a Warner Chapel songwriter placing dozens of songs in Films and TV with songs in the Baseball Hall of fame and the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC.
As Suzahn climbed the ladder to success behind the scenes, she soon realized she was not following her true calling. Frustrated by unreliable pianists and guitarists who did not take her seriously, Suzahn set out with the simple task of teaching herself enough Jazz guitar to no longer rely on other musicians. But once bitten, Suzahn decided to risk it all. After releasing her critically acclaimed, Paris Without His Kiss CD, Suzahn pitched a few tracks to some promoters. That began a 20 year journey of touring and teaching at festivals, clubs and universities across European and the US.
This culminated in a chance meeting with Sir Paul McCartney at the school he founded, The Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts, where Suzahn was a guest instructor. Suzahn was asked to help organize and run fundraising events on tour with McCartney after which, he presented Suzahn with the, “Honored Friend Award”, at LIPA. “It was an honor to work so closely with Paul and his amazing team. It was a life-changing experience especially as a serious songwriter and a huge fan. It was truly other worldly!” she states with enthusiasm.
Meanwhile Nashville was changing rapidly. Just before Covid closed the world, Suzahn was commissioned to write a musical comedy called, Bourbon on Broadway, to help promote the budding Bourbon industry across the south. Just as they were finally about to open in the Spring of 2023, and only days after the tragic Covington School shooting, the State of Tennessee relaxed the guns laws and passed a law making dressing out of one’s assigned birth gender illegal in any public place, within 200 feet of a church, and in front of children. This caused a huge wave of anti-gay sentiment. Bourbon on Broadway’s lead actor was forced to quit by his church, venues backed out, and the cast feared for their safety. Struggling to keep the project alive, Suzahn launched Bourbon on Broadway at an Off-Broadway theater in NYC. The show opened to critical acclaim as a musical theater piece with a twist of social justice.
With Nashville becoming more corporate and less and less musician friendly, Suzahn knew it was time to leave her long time home and move back to her native New York, Suzahn moved to Westchester this past summer.
Don’t miss an opportunity to see this multi talented artist. You can expect to hear innovative arrangements of classic tunes, be moved by Suzahn’s short stories set to music, and have a laugh or two along the way. Westchester is lucky to have her back and looks forward to shouting from the rooftops, “Welcome home Suzahn Fiering!”
You can find out more about Suzahn at www.suzahn.com.
