SUEZENNE FORDHAM CHAMBER JAZZ LA "NEW ORBITS" SERIES
Sunday, August 24th, 7 30 PM
South Pasadena Main Library Concert Hall
1115 El Centro
South Pasadena, Ca
818 371 7735
Free: Donations accepted
SUEZENNE FORDHAM, Steinway, Gu Zheng
TWO CONTRABASSES
Charlie Domingo
Michael Alvidrez
TWO DRUMMERS
Cassidy Turbin
Rochelle Coatney, PERCUSSION
We are a FUSION of Avant Garde, Bop, Classical, Hard Bop, Free Form
Our music is exciting, full of fiery virtuosity, and intensely interesting.
Our Muses are Evans, Messian, Stockhausen, Bach, and entire passages from Rach.concertos.
Ambience is Hip Historic, Arty, and comfortable.
The Concert Experience with the Passion of Jazz, and occasional tango.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
WORD FROM NOAH voice message
Wanted me to know things are going well, and he knew I wanted to talk with Teddy Charles before he[N] calls Teddy in NY like to remind him who Noah is, as if I need to do that as TC has a bunch of stuff we've recorded on CD... I want Noah to get in touch with Teddy, and work some gigs with him... Teddy's an ICON on the Jazz scene, and he could use a bassist of Noah's abilities, and Teddy can open doors there, as he's a great friend of mine from my NY days.
Really happy to hear NOAH'S voice... what can I say?
Teddy plays a great set of old Deagan Vibes, and was the creator of Avant Garde Jazz, along with Charlie Mingus. Like I play only Steinways when given a choice...Hugs and goodnight...
Suezenne Fordham
Suezenne Fordham Chamber JazzLA
Really happy to hear NOAH'S voice... what can I say?
Teddy plays a great set of old Deagan Vibes, and was the creator of Avant Garde Jazz, along with Charlie Mingus. Like I play only Steinways when given a choice...Hugs and goodnight...
Suezenne Fordham
Suezenne Fordham Chamber JazzLA
I LOVE MY NEW GROUP "NEW ORBITS"HAMI
It was a wonderfully NEW experience with my new players at the premiere concert of The Suezenne Fordham Chamber Jazz LA "New Orbits"Series... All new players, and my Steinway.
Darren Ross my drummie of seven years all of the sudden called me and was moving to Denver, not liking LA anymore, and thinking crime there would be non existant.{HA] Looking back I really have known for about a year that it maybe was time for a change, and was delighted when Don Littleton could sub... I guess privately Darren felt the same about me... but it was very hard for me to say goodbye to my other sound...he was a very reliable inventive drummie, and we went many uncharted places musically.
Then there was Noah Garabedian, Contrabassist, who gave me an extra year of his musical life before parting for Berkley, and subsequently New York[ Brooklyn] toa bitterly difficult life as a Jazz player in Gotham[NYC]... THAT was the hardest for me... Noah was a wunderkind from UCLA when he called me begging for an audition...at the recommendation of Roberto Miranda, the first Contrabassist with SFCJLA. I finally relented, and after spending the better part of an afternoon playing, and throwing things at him musically, I decided to use him in an upcoming concert...Before intermission, he asked Darren if he could stop playing, his FINGERS HURT!!! Can you imagine stopping a concert because the Bass player didnt bring all the stuff you have to have if your callouses aren't thick enough.
And so he was with us for four years, except when he and I had volatile arguments, and I would fire him for insubordination... and call him back in fifteen minutes.... Another time he thought we could just go to the beach instead of playing a concert in Pasadena. OUT AGAIN!!!
And yet it was Noah who really became close, and I was always there for him, and sometimes he was there for me, my silly problems, and the only way I could survive him leaving was to turn my group into a Chamber Jazz group with TWO Contrabassists. Think Ornette's group in NY. So after much badgering,[he was very possessive of his gig] finally Noah came up with a splendid young Bassist from UCLA, Charlie Domingo, really fine.
And then I came up with Noah's eventual replacement,[ Noah can NEVER be replaced} Michael Alvidrez, who has a LOT of potential. So there were three concerts with Noah and CharlieandDarren [Don subbing for Darren for one of these, with Rochelle playing Percussion..
The "NEW ORBITS" players were TWO Drummers; Cassidy Turbin, and a splendid Latin Jazz percussionist, Rochelle Coatney... So it went from a Trio to a Quintet by the time we premiered the "New Orbits" series... It will remain that series til we spin furthert into the Universe.
And so it was finally parting with Noah, very painful, very gut wrenching. Weeks of deep depression. In reality, he was my Scotty La Faro, Bill's much loved bassist.... There was a depth of communication that I have rarely seen in my years being a leader. Sigh.
And the Premiere in South Pasadena was Awsome, my new playere are great players with huge inspitration, imagination and respect... there is a feeling already of the group "like" thing, a beginning of that Chamber Music closeness and love, we pay extraordinary attention to each other... and I love my new group, too. Thank you for all the inspiration and YOUR love.
Darren Ross my drummie of seven years all of the sudden called me and was moving to Denver, not liking LA anymore, and thinking crime there would be non existant.{HA] Looking back I really have known for about a year that it maybe was time for a change, and was delighted when Don Littleton could sub... I guess privately Darren felt the same about me... but it was very hard for me to say goodbye to my other sound...he was a very reliable inventive drummie, and we went many uncharted places musically.
Then there was Noah Garabedian, Contrabassist, who gave me an extra year of his musical life before parting for Berkley, and subsequently New York[ Brooklyn] toa bitterly difficult life as a Jazz player in Gotham[NYC]... THAT was the hardest for me... Noah was a wunderkind from UCLA when he called me begging for an audition...at the recommendation of Roberto Miranda, the first Contrabassist with SFCJLA. I finally relented, and after spending the better part of an afternoon playing, and throwing things at him musically, I decided to use him in an upcoming concert...Before intermission, he asked Darren if he could stop playing, his FINGERS HURT!!! Can you imagine stopping a concert because the Bass player didnt bring all the stuff you have to have if your callouses aren't thick enough.
And so he was with us for four years, except when he and I had volatile arguments, and I would fire him for insubordination... and call him back in fifteen minutes.... Another time he thought we could just go to the beach instead of playing a concert in Pasadena. OUT AGAIN!!!
And yet it was Noah who really became close, and I was always there for him, and sometimes he was there for me, my silly problems, and the only way I could survive him leaving was to turn my group into a Chamber Jazz group with TWO Contrabassists. Think Ornette's group in NY. So after much badgering,[he was very possessive of his gig] finally Noah came up with a splendid young Bassist from UCLA, Charlie Domingo, really fine.
And then I came up with Noah's eventual replacement,[ Noah can NEVER be replaced} Michael Alvidrez, who has a LOT of potential. So there were three concerts with Noah and CharlieandDarren [Don subbing for Darren for one of these, with Rochelle playing Percussion..
The "NEW ORBITS" players were TWO Drummers; Cassidy Turbin, and a splendid Latin Jazz percussionist, Rochelle Coatney... So it went from a Trio to a Quintet by the time we premiered the "New Orbits" series... It will remain that series til we spin furthert into the Universe.
And so it was finally parting with Noah, very painful, very gut wrenching. Weeks of deep depression. In reality, he was my Scotty La Faro, Bill's much loved bassist.... There was a depth of communication that I have rarely seen in my years being a leader. Sigh.
And the Premiere in South Pasadena was Awsome, my new playere are great players with huge inspitration, imagination and respect... there is a feeling already of the group "like" thing, a beginning of that Chamber Music closeness and love, we pay extraordinary attention to each other... and I love my new group, too. Thank you for all the inspiration and YOUR love.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
SUEZENNE FORDHAM CHAMBER JAZZ LA PREMIERES
" NEW ORBITS"
Series
SUNDAY JULY 27th 08 7:30 PM- 10PM
South Pasadena Main Library Concert Hall
1115 El Centro
South Pasadena, Ca.
Info: 818 371 7735
suezennefordhamchamberjazzla@blogspot.com
suezennefordhamchamberjazz@blogspot.com
Suezenne Fordham, Piano, Gu Zheng
Two contrabasses:
Charlie Domingo, Principal
Mike Alvidrez, Asst.Principal
TWO Drummers;
Rochelle Coatney, Latin Percussion
Cassidy Turbin, Drumset and Percussion
*Don Littleton, on tour in Japan
*Bob Carr, at the Ahmanson orch.with"Chorus Line"
Our music is a fusion of Bop, Avant Garde, Classical, with emphasis on virtuoso playing and musicality. The concert experience with Jazz Passion. Music is highly understandable and emotional. "This is a whole new group, and I have chosen the best in LA. I am very proud of my new players, and we will be going places musically that havn't been thought of, reaching for the universe, so tp speak,"said Fordham. My group is in it's seventh year, and I still mourn the loss of Bassist Garabedian, and to some extent Ross, but I will be pushing my new players into their New Orbits.
Events are free, donations accepted
Look forward to seeing you.
Suezenne
Ambience is Hip, Arty, Historic, intellectual, comfortable
" NEW ORBITS"
Series
SUNDAY JULY 27th 08 7:30 PM- 10PM
South Pasadena Main Library Concert Hall
1115 El Centro
South Pasadena, Ca.
Info: 818 371 7735
suezennefordhamchamberjazzla@blogspot.com
suezennefordhamchamberjazz@blogspot.com
Suezenne Fordham, Piano, Gu Zheng
Two contrabasses:
Charlie Domingo, Principal
Mike Alvidrez, Asst.Principal
TWO Drummers;
Rochelle Coatney, Latin Percussion
Cassidy Turbin, Drumset and Percussion
*Don Littleton, on tour in Japan
*Bob Carr, at the Ahmanson orch.with"Chorus Line"
Our music is a fusion of Bop, Avant Garde, Classical, with emphasis on virtuoso playing and musicality. The concert experience with Jazz Passion. Music is highly understandable and emotional. "This is a whole new group, and I have chosen the best in LA. I am very proud of my new players, and we will be going places musically that havn't been thought of, reaching for the universe, so tp speak,"said Fordham. My group is in it's seventh year, and I still mourn the loss of Bassist Garabedian, and to some extent Ross, but I will be pushing my new players into their New Orbits.
Events are free, donations accepted
Look forward to seeing you.
Suezenne
Ambience is Hip, Arty, Historic, intellectual, comfortable
Speaing of Speakeasys
Speakeasys in Kansas City MY FATHER AND MAURICE'S GRANDFATHER
23 Jul 2008 In the early 1930's Maurice Grant's grandfather,and my father, Howard Fordham and his popular Band worked in a Speakeasy in Kansas City owned by the Mob...It was a good gig, and yes you had to give a special knock at the entrance, a tiny opening would appear, with one of the mugs eyeing you and deciding whether he would let you in or not.
Business was always booming, as it was prohbition,Dad's band was a solit hit, and the booze flowed. Howard Fordham decided it would be a great idea to build a similar speakeasy about 150 miles south of Kansas City, in Wichita, Kansas... It's name was "The Rock Castle."
Just when it was completed, the Mob came down from Kansas City, and burned it to the ground.Of course Dad had no fire insurance, and lost everything... A very tough lesson about messing with the Mob.
They were very territorial, and even considered Wichita too close to KC, and thought Dad, being a popular Bandleader with his Band, would cut into their sales of "Hootch." True story... I witnessed this as a little girl age four years. And yes they could ALL dance the Hootchie Cootchie,Shimmey, and do the Charleston. Suezenne Fordham
http://suezennefordhamchamberjazz.blogspot.com
23 Jul 2008 In the early 1930's Maurice Grant's grandfather,and my father, Howard Fordham and his popular Band worked in a Speakeasy in Kansas City owned by the Mob...It was a good gig, and yes you had to give a special knock at the entrance, a tiny opening would appear, with one of the mugs eyeing you and deciding whether he would let you in or not.
Business was always booming, as it was prohbition,Dad's band was a solit hit, and the booze flowed. Howard Fordham decided it would be a great idea to build a similar speakeasy about 150 miles south of Kansas City, in Wichita, Kansas... It's name was "The Rock Castle."
Just when it was completed, the Mob came down from Kansas City, and burned it to the ground.Of course Dad had no fire insurance, and lost everything... A very tough lesson about messing with the Mob.
They were very territorial, and even considered Wichita too close to KC, and thought Dad, being a popular Bandleader with his Band, would cut into their sales of "Hootch." True story... I witnessed this as a little girl age four years. And yes they could ALL dance the Hootchie Cootchie,Shimmey, and do the Charleston. Suezenne Fordham
http://suezennefordhamchamberjazz.blogspot.com
Thank you fromSteinway for recent Lang Lang Event at Steinway [Fields Pianos
RE: SUEZENNE FORDHAM'S Review for "All About Jazz"online
From:
David Ida (Fields Pianos)
Sent:
Mon 7/21/08 10:35 AM
To:
'Suezenne Grants' (suezennefg@hotmail.com)
.Hi Suezenne,
Wow! Thank you for your complimentary and sensitive review. This was our 3rd event here at the store with Lang Lang. 2 Master Classes with young pianists participating
and this, the conversation and book signing. When I first saw Lang Lang perform His “over the top Mannerisms”, as you wrote, annoyed me, but now I get it. He truly feels
the music and is enjoying it along with us. It’s the real deal. I’m hopeful that Lang Lang will be able to repeat his Master Class sometime in the near future. You will see how
patient, generous and encouraging he is with the kids. I believe his Teacher, Zhu Ya-Fen is his model.
I’m so glad that you have bonded with CD386. Now, I’m going to feel compelled to place a different instrument in the Hall each time you perform so you can critique each piano’s personality. Just kidding!
Thank you again. We really do look upon you as a friend of Fields and Steinway.
Sincerely,
David Ida
From:
David Ida (Fields Pianos)
Sent:
Mon 7/21/08 10:35 AM
To:
'Suezenne Grants' (suezennefg@hotmail.com)
.Hi Suezenne,
Wow! Thank you for your complimentary and sensitive review. This was our 3rd event here at the store with Lang Lang. 2 Master Classes with young pianists participating
and this, the conversation and book signing. When I first saw Lang Lang perform His “over the top Mannerisms”, as you wrote, annoyed me, but now I get it. He truly feels
the music and is enjoying it along with us. It’s the real deal. I’m hopeful that Lang Lang will be able to repeat his Master Class sometime in the near future. You will see how
patient, generous and encouraging he is with the kids. I believe his Teacher, Zhu Ya-Fen is his model.
I’m so glad that you have bonded with CD386. Now, I’m going to feel compelled to place a different instrument in the Hall each time you perform so you can critique each piano’s personality. Just kidding!
Thank you again. We really do look upon you as a friend of Fields and Steinway.
Sincerely,
David Ida
New Bassists for SFCJLA
SUEZENNE FORDHAM CHAMBER JAZZ LA COMPLETES RECORDING OF NEW ALBUM
Will Be Released in September,08
Posted: 2008- July 24th
Suezenne Fordham Chamber Jazz LA recently completed their second album. At the invitation of Fields Pianos, they were alloted two hours of recording time, using the touring piano of the late concert artist Vladimir Horowitz.
The Horowitz piano was on a good will tour of larger cities in the United States, and when it arrived at Fields Pianos in West LA, it was at the invitation of the Steinway Artist's Rep David Ida, that SFCJLA was invited to record. SFCJLA has been presenting concerts at Steinway Hall for over a year, and Fordham is an avid Steinway advocate, always choosing that piano when at all possible.
The album will be released in July 2008 and titled Immortal, referring to Steinway, Horowitz, and Jazz.
Will Be Released in September,08
Posted: 2008- July 24th
Suezenne Fordham Chamber Jazz LA recently completed their second album. At the invitation of Fields Pianos, they were alloted two hours of recording time, using the touring piano of the late concert artist Vladimir Horowitz.
The Horowitz piano was on a good will tour of larger cities in the United States, and when it arrived at Fields Pianos in West LA, it was at the invitation of the Steinway Artist's Rep David Ida, that SFCJLA was invited to record. SFCJLA has been presenting concerts at Steinway Hall for over a year, and Fordham is an avid Steinway advocate, always choosing that piano when at all possible.
The album will be released in July 2008 and titled Immortal, referring to Steinway, Horowitz, and Jazz.
Suezenne Fordham Chamber Jazz la to Audition New Bassists for 07-08 Season
Posted: 2008 July 24th
Suezenne Fordham, leader and founder of her Chamber Jazz LA Trio announces that the replacement for Contrabassist Noah Garabedian is currently being sought. Noah replaced Roberto Miranda four years ago, and has had a steady gig with the Trio for that time.
Garabedian is moving to New Your City to taste the East Coast Jazz Scene with his brother, a sax player. It is possible that he will attend the Juilliard Graduate Jazz School on scholarship, having graduated recently from UCLA department of Ethnomusicology.
“It has been more or less a producive and happy time with Noah, and he has matured to some extent. He has been reluctantly willing to use the Bow in performance, but is a bit more comfortable now" Fordham said."Fluency in Bowing is the very foundation of a great Bass Player, to wit:two of my greatest bassists were Roberto Miranda, and Richard Davis. The true voice of the instrument and the player can only be heard in this element. The pizzicatos are mere icing on the cake,not to say unessential, she continued."
Fordham is looking for a very unique Bassist, and a full job description can be found in her Blog, under Suezenne Fordham Chamber Jazz LA.
There are from fifteen to ninteen concerts per season, and the music is Avant Garde. Jazz, with Classical and Tibetan overtones...with terrific soloing.
“I never tell my players what to do. That is their Soul, their Art. Together we soar, she concluded."
For information call 818 371 7735.
http://suezennefordhamchamberjazzla@blogspot.com
Posted: 2008 July 24th
Suezenne Fordham, leader and founder of her Chamber Jazz LA Trio announces that the replacement for Contrabassist Noah Garabedian is currently being sought. Noah replaced Roberto Miranda four years ago, and has had a steady gig with the Trio for that time.
Garabedian is moving to New Your City to taste the East Coast Jazz Scene with his brother, a sax player. It is possible that he will attend the Juilliard Graduate Jazz School on scholarship, having graduated recently from UCLA department of Ethnomusicology.
“It has been more or less a producive and happy time with Noah, and he has matured to some extent. He has been reluctantly willing to use the Bow in performance, but is a bit more comfortable now" Fordham said."Fluency in Bowing is the very foundation of a great Bass Player, to wit:two of my greatest bassists were Roberto Miranda, and Richard Davis. The true voice of the instrument and the player can only be heard in this element. The pizzicatos are mere icing on the cake,not to say unessential, she continued."
Fordham is looking for a very unique Bassist, and a full job description can be found in her Blog, under Suezenne Fordham Chamber Jazz LA.
There are from fifteen to ninteen concerts per season, and the music is Avant Garde. Jazz, with Classical and Tibetan overtones...with terrific soloing.
“I never tell my players what to do. That is their Soul, their Art. Together we soar, she concluded."
For information call 818 371 7735.
http://suezennefordhamchamberjazzla@blogspot.com
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