Auckland Jazz & Blues Club presents Susan De Jong

Susan de Jong - “Swinging is the Thing”

A vibrant performer, singer, choral director, arranger, songwriter and educator, Susan de Jong has worked and performed in New Zealand for 12 years.

Susan moved to Auckland in May 2011, and though she has featured with Julie Mason and the Jazz Divas at events here since 2005 this is her first solo concert. Expect some swinging tunes, some originals, and even a small tribute to her idol Sarah Vaughan. She will be accompanied by the exceptional musicianship of pianist Phil Broadhurst, drummer Jason Orme and bassist Olivier Holland. Expect a few surprises as well…

Growing up in South Australia, Susan graduated with a BMus in Jazz Performance in 1991 and went on to perform in jazz festivals around Australia including the Sydney Festival, the Manly and Montsalvat Jazz Festivals and Adelaide’s Festival Fringe. Her first album, at age 21, was with Adelaide swing band "Lookin' Sharp". It sold out within 3 years.

Susan was a finalist in the Australian National Jazz Awards (Kurt Elling was a judge) held at the Wangaratta Jazz Festival in 1998 before moving to Christchurch in 1999 to take up a fulltime position at the Christchurch Jazz School. She ran the programme from 2004-2006 before stepping back down to academic life to complete her Masters of Music (with Distinction) from the University of Canterbury in 2008.

Since living in New Zealand Susan has sung with a variety of bands and also with vocal harmony groups. Susan’s performances include the Christchurch Jazz and Arts festivals, Nelson Jazz Festival and Tauranga’s National Jazz Festival. In 2000 and 2002 Susan appeared in the acclaimed 'Women in Jazz' concert series in Christchurch and in 2001 and 2005 appeared with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra under the baton of conductor Russ Garcia.

Event listed by Pete McGregor

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