Great Women of Jazz: A Tribute by Suzanne Brooks, The Jazz Generation

Following a subsequent performance of “Great Women of Jazz” in a dinner theater environment, Brooks began the work to record this sampling of songs from the show which accompany her original script. With the completion of this project, work has begun to put the show, which includes dancers with original choreography by the remarkably brilliant Pepper Von, on tour.

An array of studio musicians accompanied Brooks in the recording Great Women of Jazz: A Tribute in the studio she owns in Sacramento. Some also performed in the shows and some perform frequently in her band, aptly named The Jazz Generation. Featured on Great Women of Jazz: A Tribute are the following: Rolin Shafer, keyboardist, who has accompanied Brooks for nearly two years. Originally from Indiana, Shafer has performed with the Four Tops, Teddy Pendergrass, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes and others in California, DC, Dallas & in Korea on a USO Tour.

BROOKS has also just released LISTENING TO THE Radio, a single and her own compositionâ€"lyrics and musicâ€"written in 2005 in memory of Jack Hall, a grandson of slaves and son of sharecroppers, who hired her as his biographer in the last year of his life. She visited him weekly, singing jazz and gospel songs to him at his bedside. For this special CD, she asked Reggie Graham, noted Sacramento jazz/Gospel musician and her good friend to join her. Graham’s history includes performances with legends like John Hendricks, The Ellington Orchestra, George Benson, Stanley Turrentine, and Dizzy Gillespie.

In 2003, Brooks recorded the CDs “Even Sad Memories Are Sweet” and “Miles To Go, Before I Sleep” with Eric Tillman, keyboardist who formerly accompanied the Temptations and performed with Willie Bobo. All Brooks/Jazz Generation CDs are available at cdbaby.com and Creative Concepts Systems, 3325 Northrop Ave., Sacramento, CA 95864. Fax inquiries and booking requests to (916) 483-9804 or email CreativeSy@aol.com. A portion of the proceeds of sales supports the promotion of Women of Color Day and other projects honoring women for outstanding contributions to their communities.

Brooks has published 2 books: Ins and Outs and Escape Is Not An Option, collections of poems, short stories and essays. The books are available through authorhouse.com or on one of her websites: http://www.womenofcolorday.com and/or http://www.creativeconsys.com.

Suzanne Brooks is a multi-faceted individualâ€"singer, writer, actress, hula dancer, speaker, social justice activist, and entrepreneur. She has an extensive background of leadership in civic, community, educational and cultural organizations, along with exceptional life experiences which have led to a uniquely healthy, positive outlook and strategies for success which can be shared. A graduate of LaSalle College and Washington State University. She has also attended The Fielding Institute.

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