"Grace and Elegance" / Jazz Times
"Wonderful, soaring with jazzy lyricism" / Downbeat
"Poetic…masterful…control and richness…poignant" /All About Jazz
The Austin American Statesman says of jazz singer Suzi Stern; “Stern has learned the great secret that transcends art - that the voice from the heart is at the center of all virtuosity.”
The combination of Stern’s emotional clear voice, flying over her uncatagorizable compositions with her poignant lyrics creates a magic that moves the listener and is unforgettable. Jazz pianist and Columbia Records recording artist Denny Zeitlin says of Stern "It has been years since a singer has affected me so profoundly.  Suzi has it all: a fantastic vocal instrument, effortless musicality, and a special way of working with the material and evoking the deepest emotions."   
          
                                    (use scroll bar at the right of page to scan the entire page down to read more and check out the reviews from Downbeat, Jazztimes, All About Jazz, Cadence and more)
Suzi was born in Buffalo, the daughter of jazz violinist Harry Stern who toured with The Vaughn Monroe big band and was leader of his own orchestras in Western New York of which which Suzi's mother was the featured singer. Her maternal grandfather spent his life touring in Vaudeville as a comic acrobat sharing the bill with the likes of a young Frank Sinatra, The Marx Brothers, George Burns and Bob Hope. Living in a family where creative outpourings were encouraged and being able to hear her fathers musicians come over for post gig jams gave Stern a clear sense that music was her true love at a very early age.   Growing up in a home with music as its' centerpiece studies in classical voice, piano, classical guitar, flute and dance (studying at The American Ballet Theatre School and Joffrey Ballet School in NYC) were part of everyday life, but her most inspired learning experience came later and was undoubtedly with vocal wizard Bobby McFerrin.
 Stern has released 7 jazz CD’s to date under her own name (Viewpoint Records, Aardvark Records and Bus Biscuit Records), and has performed on a myriad of other artists projects. Her latest 2013 release "Romancing the Dark" steps out of the jazz idiom for which she is known,  and is a collection of Stern’s own original compositions and arrangements. 
Jazz Times reviewer H. Allen Williams states that "Stern’s musical style pallet is wide...a testament to her wide reaching command of many styles and her ability to match a musical mood to the feeling of her words."
She is a published poet and her lyrics appear in the Bill Evans second edition fake book  and David Friesen's book of transcriptions called " Years Through Time", both Hal Leonard publications.
 Suzi has penned lyrics to a plethora of classic jazz compositions not typically sung and has collaborated with numerous contemporary artists on their works such as Denny Zeitlin's "Quiet Now", Joe Henderson's "Black Narcissus" and Joshua Redman's "Hide and Seek" which have been recorded by artists worldwide.

A few of Stern's musical colleagues and collaborators of note have been: Denny Zeitlin, David Friesen, Joe Henderson, Mal Waldron,Leroy Vinegar, Jesseca Williams, Helen Sung, Bud Shank, Peggy Stern, Jay Clayton, Harvie S, Stefan Karlsson, Randy Porter, Doug Hall to name only a few.   

Stern and her partner pianist-composer George Oldziey are the producers of a jazz house concert series known as Casa Karen in Austin Texas which has become known as the best venue for acoustic jazz in central Texas with it's 9 foot concert grand piano as the center piece. This series has attracted touring artists over the past 5 years the likes of Eddie Gomez, Alex Sipiagin, Stan Killian, Fred Hamilton, Rich Perry, Don Edwards, Ed Soph, David Amram, Roseanna Vitro, Mark Soskin, Dean Johnson, Tim Horner, Carmen Bradford and many of the best artists from the Austin area. 
 
When not traveling to perform, Stern teaches in her home town of Austin Texas where she is one of the most sought after vocal coaches and studio singers in the area.
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Radio and Press Contact:
KARI-ON PRODUCTIONS
(706)993-2223
Kari@karigaffney.com
www.karigaffney.com
suzistern@gmail.com
george@oldzieymusic.com
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DISCOGRAPHY:
Romancing the Dark  -  Bus Biscuit Records 2013
Peter John Stoltzman Trio & Friends, Live at Casa Karen  -  Bus Biscuit Records 2013
El Viento  -  Bus Biscuit Records 2012
Dark River  -  Blue Corn Records 2010
Leap of Heart  -  Aardvark Records 2009
A Child’s Christmas in Wales  -  Aardvark Records 2006 (winner of the 2006 Addy Award)
Lament  -  Aardvark Records    2003
Inside Stories  -  Viewpoint Records  2000
Seven Stars  -  Mad Moon Records  1995
Voices of the New Jazz Culture  -  Jazziz on Disc 
++++++++  And a few words from the press:
 CADENCE MAGAZINE - "Making artistic use of her delicate and beautiful voice, Stern parlays in-depth knowledge of the tunes and an uncanny sense of timing to create memorable interpretations of these classic melodies"  

5 Stars out of 5 ! YAHOO REVIEW by Susan Francis -“Singer-songwriter Suzi Stern immerses herself into the tracks, and her personal touch translates to audiences. With music, lyrics, and arrangements written by Stern, the songs embody an intimacy that soothes the listener completely.  Romancing the Dark brims with deep emotions expressing love that's been lost and never forgotten.”
5 out of 5 Stars!!  Amazon by Grady Harp HALL OF FAME TOP 50 REVIEWERVINE VOICE "Stern not only possesses a naturally beautiful voice, capable of exploring all the emotions songs deliver to the artist, but she composed the music and lyrics and is responsible for the arrangements…it is a stunning achievement! Special music from a special lady.  Let it seep in!!"   


Michael Point  DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE - "Her voice is wonderful, soaring with jazzy lyricism.."  

JAZZ TIMES H. Allen Williams - "Romancing the Dark keeps a strong foundation of the well-known jazz compositional techniques...but it borrows from many styles to yield a well-conceived and flowing collection of tunes that is both engaging and enjoyable. “Firefly” begins the romance with a beautiful and subtle waltz ballad that has Stern’s clear tone and diction coupled with a haunting cello line by Douglas Harvey that is an interweaving counterpoint throughout Sterns melodic statement. Stern’s lyrics are certainly poetic and the accompanying booklet really allows the listener to understand and appreciate the true talent and deeper meanings of the lyrics….Stern’s phrasing is always clear and in accord with the musical environment she is singing in, never over dramatic, but keeping the energy of the melody moving forward…grace and elegance…a wonderful offering…a delightful musical journey!"

2013 CD REVIEW  JAZZCAMERA UK -"Suzi Stern has created something really special with 11 of her own songs on this new CD. Stern...exceptional strength and eloquence...More please, Suzi!!"

 ART VOICE  BUFFALO EVENING NEWS "Stern is a gifted artist who simultaneously defines and reinterprets what jazz is today"  

Brad Buchholtz AUSTIN AMERICAN STATESMAN -"Stern's 'Lament' stands as one of the finest albums of the decade - a masterpiece of understatement that honors the highest aspirations of jazz."  

WILLAMETTE WEEK -"Stern's ease with a challenging melody is matched by her improvisational prowess..." 

Sax great JOE HENDERSON-"Suzi, you've done a superb job. You made it sound and seem so easy, giving that melody (Black Narcissus) a voice. Write on!"

ACOUSTIC MUSIC EXCHANGE review by Mark S. Tucker-“Besides the pure beauty of the singing, I was rather astonished to discover that almost everything here was written and arranged by Ms. Stern resulting in a disc that has few comparatives...airs not normally found in rock, jazz, or related modes.  Stern embraces the timbre of midnight, the lonely tolling of far away bells above an aching heart, the sigh of fog as it drifts over fallow meadows, an amber moon glowing starkly in arid ebon skies. Haunted Heart enfolds the sort of atmosphere the word 'bittersweet' was invented for….a showcase for not just Ms. Stern's entrancing vocals and depth-encrusted compositions but her very soul as well.”
Review by Rotcod Zzaj for Improvijazzation Nation  
Suzi Stern – ROMANCING THE DARK:  There are plenty of “just jazz singers” in today�����s market, but I can tell you that Suzi’s definitely not “just” anything… listen to the opening track, “Firefly“, and you’ll hear a singer who has “been there” already… and she paints sonic beauty that makes you want to go right along with her, no matter the cost!  While this outing (she’s released 7 CD’s previously) isn’t exactly jazz, the tunes are all originals – which in itself lends an air of excitement; at least for this listener. The percussion intro on “Sounds Are Louder In The Dark” was the perfect way to get you to notice what she means in the title – a truly excellent tune!  It was the almost-theatrical “Tango For Tina” that got my vote for favorite of the 11 on this fine CD.  I give Suzi (& crew) a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98.

5 Stars out of 5    emusic review   “ Stern has created a lasting deep and evocative offering, filled with smart lyrics that are poetic and never trite…a wonderful composer/vocalist.”
All.About.Jazz review:
ROMANCING THE DARK: SUZI STERN
By 
GEANNINE REID, 
Published: March 11, 2014 
When a jazz singer is able to combine skills as a poet, composer, arranger and singer, what type of music is the result? Folk/Jazz/World; but of course! That is the underlying theme throughout Suzi Stern's CD, Romancing the Dark. The Austin based singer has a diverse history of collaborations, working with artist such as: Joe Henderson, Denny Zeitlin,David Friesen, Jerry Hahn, Leroy Vinnegar,Jessica Williams,Sheila Jordan, Jay Clayton, Peggy Stern, Stefan Karlsson, Alan Jones, Randy Porter, John Stowell, and beyond. Stern also boasts a library of seven CDs as a leader and is a published poet and lyricist. Stern has penned lyrics to numerous contemporary and classic jazz compositions such as Denny Zeitlin's "Quiet Now," Joe Henderson's "Black Narcissus" and Joshua Redman's "Hide and Seek," which have been recorded by artists worldwide. Stern's lyrics have been published in the Bill Evans Fake Book from Hal Leonard Publications. 

Romancing the Dark contains eleven selections, nine of which are Stern originals, one penned by bassist Paul Unger, "Sleepwalking Girl" and one standard, "Haunted Heart." Stern composed, orchestrated and wrote the lyrics for nine of the selections and has compiled a varying set of instruments for the project. Each selection has its own unique instrumentation and orchestration, which provides the perfect emotional setting for Stern's clear voice to articulate her storylines. "Romancing The Dark" starts with George Oldziey's fluid accordion lines that flow into an accented off beat chordal march pattern that clarinetist John Mills blows a haunting melody over. The two are joined by the marching snare work of Steve Schwelling's drums to complete the intro for Sterns vocal entrance. "Beautiful" is the first word of Stern's lyrics and that sums up the mood and overall presentation of the composition. Stern's singing style is clear and accurate; her lyrics are poetic in nature and give just enough information for the listener to follow the storyline while still leaving room for the imagination to fill in the details. Oldziey also plays piano on the track and Mike Sailors adds trumpet, while Randy Zimmerman's trombone provides a nice brass pad behind the vocals and the fills from Mills. Stern composes and orchestrates a masterful interlude with the three horn players playing counterpoint to one another leading us to the last chorus and verse which continues the three horn writing behind Stern's vocals. After a poetic pause on "Self-Indulgence Your Game," Stern joins the three horns with a series of vocal scats that culminate in the ending statement. 

As before mentioned, the varying instrumentation and Stern's ability to clearly articulate a melody over creative orchestrations is the key element to the success of Romancing the Dark. "Sounds Are Louder In The Dark" finds Stern's voice paired with a string quartet and percussion. On this track Stern collaborates with Oldziey, who provides a stunning string arrangement for Stern to sing with. The ballad "Hymn" is colored with piano, bass, percussion, guitar, violin and a children's choir. The entire first half of the song is a rubato phrasing of voice, violin, arco bass and piano. The Children's voices and percussion are added later to build the selection to a logical climax and ending. "Deeper Quiet" is another ballad that features more wonderful music and lyrics by Stern and spot on string orchestration from Oldziey. Sailor's muted trumpet opens the selection over a lush string quartet chordal pad with Oldziey's piano chords and single note fills rounding out the space, these intimate moments really expose Stern's voice and allow the listener to hear the control and richness of her singing. "Moth" finds Stern's voice impeccably singing each phrase of the melody with a new orchestrative color, sometimes she harmonizes with herself, other times she sings in perfect unison with the piano
 or in counterpoint to the guitar. Guitarist Bruce Saunders provides a very nice nylon strung guitar solo, followed by more counterpoint with the melody and violin. Stern's elegant singing, music and lyrics are presented in an array of colors and instrumental settings that result in a unique and poignant listen. What type of music as a poet, composer, arranger and singer make? Folk/Jazz/World; or more specifically, creative music! That is the underlying theme throughout Suzi Stern's beautiful CD, Romancing the Dark.

SuziStern