Suzanne Brooks, The Jazz Generation

About

The Jazz Generation: Established in 2003 in Sacramento, California by vocalist, songwriter, bandleader, Suzanne Brooks. Seasoned professionals: Chris Lee, keyboard; Jim Wendt, keyboard and bass; Dave Peters, drums. Multi-ethnic, multi-generational group, full time music professionals with more than 20 years experience each, perform and record originals by Suzanne Brooks & other contemporary composers, as well as an array of standard Jazz & R&B, Pop, Country, Latin and other tunes, The Jazz Generation is able to travel and passport ready.

11 CDs have been produced by Suzanne Brooks/The Jazz Generation. 8 are on sale online at cdbaby.com. The others to be released later in 2013. The Jazz Generation is part of the Aurora collaboration with Kultural Triangulacion, directed by Master Candombe Drummer Sergio Ortuo of Montevideo, Uruguay, with whom two CD singles, "Aurora" and "Candombe pa' la Lia" have been written and recorded.

Suzanne Brooks
The Jazz Generation showcases its vocalist/bandleader, Suzanne Brooks, who gives her own meaning to contemporary lyrics and makes old favorites fresh. Her classy/classic vocals bridge generations with a smooth, mature and trained voice that delivers a vast repertoire. Known for passionate, moving Gospel, R&B, pop and a little Country in her own styles & arrangements and as a literary writer. Sings in Spanish, French and Hawaiian.

Originally from Philadelphia, PA she lives in Sacramento; records on her own label, Women of Color Day. Writes lyrics for existing jazz instrumentals, ie Freddie Hubbard's "Up Jumped Spring." She is also the playwright/director/producer and performer in "Great Women of Jazz, 1890-1990." Wrote "I Believe I Can Fly: Memories of Stories and Music" to present 112 year old woman's stage debut to an audience of nearly 400 on March 7, 2010 to highlight annual Sacramento Women of Color Day/Diversity Event. The performance was supported & accompanied by Brooks, Publicity of this event of The Jazz Generation. (also honoring outstanding community members) reached more than 10 million readers of associated print/electronic news stories.

An educator/entertainer, Brooks infuses artistic work with historical fact. Her song, "Listening To The Radio," was written in memory of 98 year old Sacramentan, Jack Hall, grandson of slaves, sharecropper's son, who hired her as his biographer in his last year. She visited him weekly, singing jazz and gospel songs at his bedside.

"Lasting Impression" is a song about an experience with Miles Davis, brought to mind by Kenny Garrett's "Simply Said, and is also about the past Philadelphia jazz scene.

BA, English & Education; MA, English/Creative Writing. ABD, doctoral programs..
Travel: Caribbean, Latin America, South Pacific, Africa, Europe

Chris Lee
Has performed for 9 years for The Jazz Generation.
Classically trained; performs on piano/keyboard.
Exceptional soloist in all genres-classical, jazz, fusion, R&B, funk, gospel,
world music, rock/pop/blues, country, big band; talented improvisationalist

15 Years of experience with other bands and venues
Performances with numerous groups, musical styles and settings
Has recorded with CSU, Sacramento Latin Jazz Ensemble
BS. Computer Science; JD, Law
California Licensed Attorney
Travel: Most European Countries, China, Japan, Caribbean

Jim Wendt
Performs on keyboard and bass for The Jazz Generation-.
More than 35 years experience as a pianist/keyboardist/synthesist
Performances with numerous groups in a wide variety of musical styles & settings (jazz, fusion, R&B, funk, world music, rock/pop/blues, country, big band, etc). Excellent chart writer, including transcriptions from recordings
Able to cover bass lines with left hand (standard keyboard, split keyboard or bass synth)
Significant experience covering (and developing) horn lines, string parts, synth parts, etc
BS, Computer Science; CSU Sacramento, Music Program (jazz and classical theory and composition, jazz performance)

Sacramento City College, Music Program-jazz classical theory/composition, performance
Senior Software & Systems Architect, Hewlett-Packard Company, Roseville, CA
Travel: Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, India, South Africa, Zambia, England, Wales, Sweden, Germany

Dave Peters
Professional drummer with 30 years experience in Rock, Funk, Latin, Jazz, Afro-Cuban, R&B, Country, Mexican, Reggae..
Studied with Chuck Brown, Atma Anur, Colin Bailey, Robert Kaufman, Rob Hart and Dave Performs regularly in Sacramento, Stockton and San Francisco Bay area.

1995 East Bay Guitar Center Drum-Off Winner.
Played with Grammy winners including: Jason Newsted (Metallica), Gordon Hunte (Sade), Julius Melendez (Santana) and Tony Lindsay (Santana) and Tommy Castro, 2007 West Coast Blues Vocalist of the Year.
Shared drum chair with Journey's Steve Smith on Jamie's album "11:11"

The Jazz Generation Image
Growing recognition of Suzanne Brooks, The Jazz Generation as a unique group, is evident in 2009 recognition of Brooks for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts and Arts Advocacy by the City/Arts Commission of Sacramento and other awards.

The newly developed Grammy365.com website selected 10 members of each chapter to be first members on the site. Selection was based on passion for building a community across Chapters and The Recording Academy as a whole. Suzanne Brooks, The Jazz Generation was one of the 10 selected for the San Francisco Grammy Chapter. "Let Us Shine," the new Christmas/Holiday song by The Jazz Generation was submitted to the Capitol Christmas Tree 2011 Song Search of the National Park Service and was one of the top songs selected to be produced on a nationally circulating CD supporting the PeopleTreeoutside the US Capitol Building in Washington DC. Additionally, on November 5th at the Sonora Fairgrounds in Sonora, CA, The Jazz Generation will perform "Let Us Shine" at the tree cutting celebration "Our Gifts from under the Tree."

Personnel

Suzanne Brooks: Vocalist/Bandleader/Songwriter/Playwright
Chris Lee: Pianist/Keyboardist
Jim Wendt: Keyboardist/Pianist/Bassist
Dave Peters: Drummer
Featured saxophonists and guitarists: saxophone and guitar
varies: Featured male vocalist

Influences

Nina Simone, Nancy Wilson, Ella Fitzgerald, Betty Carter, Blossom Dearie, Miles Davis, Cannonball Adderley, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Astrud Gilberto, Billie Holiday, Lambert/Hendricks/Ross, Chaka Khan, Sarah Vaughan, Shirley Horne, Herbie Hancock, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Nancy Lamott, Rosemary Clooney, Dinah Washington, Lakota Staton, Bessie Smith, Roberta Flack, Carmen McCrae and more.

What to Expect

Typical Gig Duration: 60 - 240 minutes

Moving ballads; foot-tapping/dancing; swing, smooth, cool and bopping jazz, plus vocalese and scatting. Professional performers with many years of experience in a wide variety of music genres, including jazz, R&B, Gospel, pop, Broadway, Latin, folk, country and Latin.. Professional appearance. Friendly manner. Energetic. Entertaining. We really enjoy performing; are prompt, reliable, with good transportation. We have a huge repertoire and will prepare set lists but can modify it if desired to fit a change of audience mood. We have all required instruments and multiple sound systems available. We are able to travel and have passports. We can perform as female vocalist and up to 5 musicians plus male vocalist, as needed. 50% Nonrefundable deposit required with balance due payable at end of performance. Travel expenses will apply in some circumstances based on distance and will add to charges.

Stage/Setup Requirements:
Bottled water for performers
House sound system with backline for electrical instruments (keyboard, bass, guitar); one to two vocal microphones with monitors; or by arrangement we will bring our own and just need electricity access.
Notice in advance if performance will be on concrete floor so that mats can be brought for performers who stand
Outdoor events: Overhead sun shelter
Stage (with steps) or risers preferred

Additional Notes:
Can utilize available house sound systems or provide our own.

Set/Song/Sequence List:
1. A Foggy Day
2. Ain't Misbehavin'
3. Alright, Okay, You Win Instrumental
4. All of Me
5. All The Things You Are Instrumental
6. Boy/Girl From Ipanema
7. Bring Your Love Along
8. Centerpiece
9. Come Away With Me
10. Come Dance With Me
11. Compared To What (Instrumental)
12. Corcovado (Quiet Nights and Quiet Stars)
13. Day By Day
14. Dindi (Instrumental)
15. East of The Sun
16. Every Time We Say Goodbye
17. Fever
18. Fly Me To The Moon
19. For The First Time
20. Giving You The Best That I Got
21. Hallelujah I Love Him (Her) So
22. Have You Met Miss Jones
23. How High The Moon
24. I Can't Give You Anything But Love
25. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
26. I Remember Clifford (Instrumental)
27. I Was Doing All Right
28. If I Were A Bell
29. I'll Take Romance Instrumental
30. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
31. I'm Glad There Is You
32. I'm Just A Lucky So and So
33. I'm Old Fashioned Instrumental
34. Isn't It Romantic Instrumental
35. It Might As Well Be Spring
36. I’ve Got Love On My Mind
1. A Foggy Day
2. Ain't Misbehavin'
3. Alright, Okay, You Win Instrumental
4. All of Me
5. All The Things You Are Instrumental
6. Boy/Girl From Ipanema
7. Bring Your Love Along
8. Centerpiece
9. Come Away With Me
10. Come Dance With Me
11. Compared To What (Instrumental)
12. Corcovado (Quiet Nights and Quiet Stars)
13. Day By Day
14. Dindi (Instrumental)
15. East of The Sun
16. Every Time We Say Goodbye
17. Fever
18. Fly Me To The Moon
19. For The First Time
20. Giving You The Best That I Got
21. Hallelujah I Love Him (Her) So
22. Have You Met Miss Jones
23. How High The Moon
24. I Can't Give You Anything But Love
25. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
26. I Remember Clifford (Instrumental)
27. I Was Doing All Right
28. If I Were A Bell
29. I'll Take Romance Instrumental
30. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
31. I'm Glad There Is You
32. I'm Just A Lucky So and So
33. I'm Old Fashioned Instrumental
34. Isn't It Romantic Instrumental
35. It Might As Well Be Spring
36. I've Got Love On My Mind
37. Just In Time
38. Like Someone In Love
39. Love Walked Right In
40. Lullaby of Birdland
41. Mambo Inn Instrumental (I have chart)
42. Misty Instrumental
43. My Funny Valentine
44. My One And Only Love Instrumental
45. My Romance
46. On Green Dolphin Street
47. One Note Samba
48. Our Love Is Here To Stay (I have chart)
49. Rainbow Connection
50. Some Other Time
51. Someday My Prince Will Come Instrumental
52. Suzanne
53. Take Five
54. That's All
55. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
56. The Shadow of Your Smile
57. The Very Thought of You
58. There Is No Greater Love Instrumental
59. They Say It's Spring
60. The Way You Look Tonight
61. Time After Time
62. Tu Mi Delirio
63. Two For The Road Instrumental
64. Unforgettable
65. Up Jump Spring
66. What A Difference A Day Made
67. You Are Too Beautiful To Me
68. Spain
69. Take Five

We are always prepared with extra music; expect to perform 45 minutes per set with 9 to 15 different songs per set without repeating.

Performance Schedule

Past Booked Dates:

03-06-2011 — "Aurora" new show with Candombe drummers and dancers @ 2011 Women of Color Day/Diversity Event, Women's Civic Improvement Club, Sacramento
11-13-2010 — "Time After Time: Jazz of the Past Reflected in Jazz Today, The Track Shack Studios, 1745 Markston Road, Sacramento, CA 95824 Tickets on sale at Aloha Florist, 2713 El Camino, Sacramento (915) 481-5911 $20 in advance; $30 at door if any left Record Live

CDs For Sale

Even Sad Memories Are Sweet
Miles To Go Before I Sleep
Great Women of Jazz:A Tribute
Listening To The Radio
Aurora
The Strength To Go On
Candombe pa' la Lia

Experience

2006: 15 gigs
2007: 18 gigs
2008: 22 gigs
2009: 23 gigs
2010: 18 gigs
2011: 13 gigs

Available for Your

Anniversary Party, Awards Night, Bar/Bat Mitzvah Party, Bar/Lounge, Birthday Party, Casino, Christmas Party, Church Service, Club/Nightclub, Competition, Concert Venue, Convention, Corporate Event, Dinner Dance, Ethnic Celebration, Fair, Festival, Fundraiser, Funeral Service, Graduation, Grand Opening, Holiday Party, Hotel, Launch Party, Luncheon/Tea, Private Party, Prom, Quinceañera, Religious Celebration, Restaurant, Reunion, Seminar, Sporting Event, Sweet 16 Party, Trade Show, Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Reception, Workshop