@ Red Drum - Saturday, November 8th

THIS SATURDAY we'll return to RED DRUM in Mt. Pleasant!

9:30pm-12:30am

w/ Gerald Gregory (keys), Ben Wells (bass), Nick Jenkins (percussion)

RED DRUM

reddrumrestaurant.com

p/ 843.849.0313

803 Coleman Blvd.

Mt. Pleasant, SC  29464

Kudu...of course!

THIS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9

Back at Kudu Coffeehouse in this gorgeous fall weather!  Come join the crowd from 2-5pm.  Usual suspects:  Sam Sfirri (keys) & Nick Jenkins (drums).

iheartkudu.com

Fête des Artisans

I'll be performing at the Fete des Artisans Party & Fundraiser for the American College of Building Arts on Thursday, November 6th.  Details below!  On the gig...Dan McCurry (keys), Jeremy Wolf (bass), Nick Jenkins (drums).

Thursday, November 6th

6:30-10pm

Navy Yard @ Noisette

$50 advance / $60 at door

2120 Noisette Blvd.. / 10 Storehouse Row

North Charleston

843.577.5245

buildingartscollege.us

Skilled Artisans, Silent Auction, French Market Fare, Festive Cocktails

Where Petals & Rain Fall

Nathan Durfee has NEW work to be shown!  Catch him this Friday at Robert Lange Studios....

Nathan Durfee Solo Show "Where Petals & Rain Fall"

THURSDAY, November 6th - All Day Early Preview at RLS Gallery

FRIDAY, November 7th - Reception 5-8:30pm @ RLS Gallery

SATURDAY DAY, November 8th - Plein Air Demonstrations in Washington Park

SATURDAY NIGHT - The Charleston Art Auction

Robert Lange Studios

151 East Bay Street

Downtown Charleston

robertlangestudios.com

843.805.8052

NATHANDURFEE.COM

over the bridge

SATURDAYS @ RED DRUM
October 25 & November 8
Yes, it's over "the bridge," but it's definitely worth the trip! For those of you already in Mt. P, I'm finally playing in your neck of the woods. Red Drum's menu is phenomenal with their Mediterranean and Latin inspired tapas and extensive specialty drink menu. They will be serving $7 martinis and $5 margaritas with their finest tequila. Fabulous decor, fantastic food, beautiful people and sizzling music, of course! Visit their kickin' website for lots more info:
reddrumrestaurant.com

October 25 - TOMORROW!

9:30pm-12:30am
w/ Gerald Gregory (keys), Ben Wells (bass), Stuart White (percussion)

November 8 - in 2 weeks
9:30pm-12:30am
w/ Gerald Gregory (keys), Ben Wells (bass), Nick Jenkins (percussion)

RED DRUM
p/843.849.0313
803 Coleman Boulevard
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464

Directions to the Red Drum:

From the Airport/Daniel Island: 526 East toward Mount Pleasant, follow until it dead ends; turn right, 3^rd building after Taco Bell on the left.

From Downtown Charleston: 17 North (stay in right two lanes), exit Coleman Blvd., pass GDC and Mikes Bikes one block. Red Drum is after Subway on the right.

From Sullivan’s Island: Cross over the Sullivan’s Island drawbridge, go through two stoplights; Red Drum will be the third building after Taco Bell on the left.

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SUNDAYS @ KUDU
October 26, November 9, November 23
Join us on Sundays and enjoy the weather and tunes. It's fall on the patio...
2-5pm
w/ Sam Sfirri (keys) & Nick Jenkins (percussion)

Kudu Coffeehouse
4 Vanderhorst Street
Charleston, SC 29401
p/843.853.7186
iheartkudu.com

Hope to see you soon! Enjoy your weekend...

AvoJazz for the Rainy Season

Hello Friends,

I hope that this post finds you all doing well and enjoying this stormy summer we've been having. I find it refreshing...until the rain stops and it just feels like a sauna. There nothing quite like the smell of rain...

I have seen some of you out and about lately asking when and where I'll be next...so, here's the lowdown. After some much needed time "away", I am easing back into things this Saturday, August 2nd at Voodoo Lounge. Jen and Mike (owners of Voo Doo) have been ever so gracious in hosting a Jazz & Blues Series at their really hip tiki lounge. You don't know what you're missing if you haven't been! Voodoo is located in the historic district of Avondale. The first set starts at 8:30pm and we'll be playing until 11:30ish, I do believe. They have fun fruity drinks and fantastic tacos you can enjoy all while listening to yours truly and some dear friends of mine play some music...Nathan Koci (keys, accordion), Kevin Hamilton (bass) and Nick Jenkins (percussion). Prior to the show there is an event at a quaint and happenin' little neighborhood wine shop...Avondale Wine & Cheese....dinner featuring one of my favorite foods. The AVOCADO! (yummy details below)

DETAILS, DETAILS... AUGUST 2nd, 2008
Voodoo Tiki Bar & Lounge
Tickets are available through Voo Doo Lounge ONLY and are only $5! Reservations must be made in person. For more information call 843.769.0228 or visit voodootikibar.com.

BEFORE THE SHOW...
Stop by Avondale Wine & Cheese and see my friend Manoli for her Grand Finale to Avocado Week! For more information call 843.769.5444. Avondale Wine & Cheese is located at 813-B Savannah Highway, Charleston, in the Historic District of Avondale (West Ashley).

Details directly from her infamous newsletter...
"I'm going to VooDoo to see Leah Suarez sing so this event is from 7-9pm sharp. It's $15 unless you present your ticket to the show in which case the dinner drops to $10...WHAT A VALUE! I'll be making quesadillas to order with your choice of cheese and veggies. And of course there will be lots of guacomole and chips. The wine is free-select beers are $2 a bottle.
If you wear green or yellow, you'll get a raffle ticket for a $25 gift certificate. By wearing green, I mean a green shirt, pair of pants, dress or skirt. A green hat will not suffice....neither will green string or emeralds, or magic marker stains. That about covers it. I invite everyone to go carefully across the street with me to see some jazz afterwards."

::::

Thank you for your overwhelming support!

Enjoy the rainy season...it will make you appreciate the sun. Enjoy the avocados...they're good for you. And I hope that you will enjoy the music...I enjoy making it.

Paz,
Leah

::::

photo credit: Ben Williams

summer @ kudu

This Sunday I will be back at Kudu and I am really looking forward to it! Yes, we know...it's HOT and HUMID, but if you can't beat it, then sweat a little. Sam Sfirri will join me on his Rhodes (awesome) and Mr. Nick Jenkins will be our percussive backbone. I'm really looking forward to being out and about again. Kudu does offer cold beverages as well as the regular hot ones. Their fruit smoothies and iced coffees and teas are delicious. Join us...it will be fun. 2-5pm. Hopefully in the courtyard...with some fans to hopefully cool us down....and some good tunes. It will be hot.

SUNDAY, JULY 6th & 20th
2-5pm
*August dates TBA

IN THE MEANTIME, MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR
AUGUST 1st & 29th...
details soon!

HELLO, I AM at Kudu...
Don't forget to go into their side gallery, under the stairs and across from the main coffee shop. There you will find the first small part to a larger project I am working on with photographer and friend ALICE KEENEY. We are excited to present more in the fall. Stay tuned! In the meantime, check out "HELLO, I AM" (photography and slideshow) at Kudu's Gallery. For more information about the project, please visit projectspeakup.blogspot.com.

around.

For those of you wondering, I am around. I will be back to reality in a bit. Stay tuned for dates...lots of them! As always, I thank you for your incredible support!

Play in the sun,
Leah

25 may. upstairs @ mistral. piccolo spoleto.

I'm very excited and proud to be a part of this year's 30th Anniversary Piccolo Spoleto Festival Jazz Series!! I will be performing in two very different events and am in hopes to see you all out and about. Sunday, May 25th, the guys and I will be performing Upstairs at Mistral at Mistral Restaurant - located at 99 S Market Street. This is a brand new series that has very limited seating and tickets are selling fast! I will be debuting a couple of new tunes and sharing the stage with Gerald Gregory (piano), David Linaburg (guitar), Nathan Koci (accordion/flugelhorn), Kevin Hamilton (bass) and Nick Jenkins (drums). This will be the last chance to see David playing with us for awhile, as he is looking forward to his move to New York. Mistral is offering an $11 menu/item (excluding tax & tip) and will be serving from their full bar selection. Entrance to this event is via 180 Meeting Street, in the First Citizens Building. Take the elevator to the second floor. Tickets are $15 and are available online now at PICCOLOSPOLETO.COM or by calling 843.554.6060. Tickets are also available at the Piccolo Spoleto Box Office at the Gaillard Auditorium.

PLEASE ALSO SEE MY FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES! MANY OF THEM ARE ALSO PERFORMING IN THIS SERIES. A COMPLETE SCHEDULE CAN BE FOUND AT JAZZARTISTSOFCHARLESTON.ORG.

MYSPACE.COM/LEAHSUAREZ
LEAHSUAREZ.COM

THIS SUNDAY @ FOOTLIGHT

THIS SUNDAY, MAY 18th @ 5pm, Jazz Artists of Charleston will kick-off its PICCOLO SPOLETO JAZZ SERIES at Footlight Players Theatre (20 Queen Street) with a preview celebration, "Footnotes at Footlight." BUY TICKETS HERE! Featured performing artists from this year's Jazz Series will be taking the stage to present highlighted performances from their scheduled shows throughout the festival. It's a PARTY! Performances by Tommy Gill, Kopaja, Bobbie Storm, Lee Barbour, Garage Cuban Band, Kevin Hackler, Havanason, Duda Lucena, Gradual Lean, Leah Suárez, Robert Lewis & Fearless Jones, Ann Caldwell and more!! Don't miss this opportunity to see and hear all of this talent under one roof! The celebration kicks off at 5pm with a fully catered reception in the alley beside Footlight Players Theatre by The Trusted Palate (paninis, cous cous and more!) and Avondale Wine & Cheese (sangria, beer and wine), and with music by The Pulse Trio. The main stage concert will begin at 6pm and will go into the evening until about 9pm. This is an exciting time to kick off a brand new series produced by a brand new organization - Jazz Artists of Charleston - in partnership with the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs.

This is a perfect time to BUY TICKETS for the PICCOLO SPOLETO JAZZ SERIES EVENTS as the Piccolo Spoleto Box Office will be on hand to sell tickets at this very special preview event! Tickets are selling fast to the UPSTAIRS AT MISTRAL SERIES and HOLY CITY HOMECOMIN' events!

Tickets $25 / $50 VIP (includes 2008 Commemorative Poster and CDs)
BUY TICKETS HERE!
Box Office opens at 4pm at Footlight Players Theatre.
more info...
jazzartistsofcharleston.org
843.564.5154

save the dates...

It's been a little crazy lately and there has been a lot of transition.  Good transition, but change nonetheless.  There will be lots more to update and tell you about in the coming weeks.  In the meantime, MARK YOUR CALENDARS!  There are some amazingly good things happening....

my current schedule

myspace.com/leahsuarez

and another calendar you should bookmark!

jac events

there's a lot coming up HERE and HERE - performing and visual arts galore!

Keep supporting live and local music, art and theatre!  It's important, invaluable, priceless and will make you feel better.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!  

the company company's sunday sunday picnic picnic

The Company Company - a local theatre group - is hosting a benefit, or should I say PICNIC? THIS SUNDAY, APRIL 27th, join us for an incredible line-up of music, theatre, poetry, spoken word, drama and FUN! It's only $5 (a sound donation)! Show starts at 7pm and goes until midnight. There really is something for everyone - even a silent auction to benefit this great arts organization committed to producing and presenting more live theatre in Charleston. I'll be performing in the early set, roughly 7:30pm and later with poet, Max Berger (a rare performance, indeed)! Others include: Lindsay Holler and The Dirty Kids, Garage Cuban Band, Mr. Jenkins, David Lee Nelson, Marcus Amaker and more! And what would a picnic be without an emcee? THE Joy Vandervort-Cobb! See you this Sunday Sunday at the Picnic Picnic at The Tin Roof - 2117 Magnolia Road, West Ashley.

thecompanycompany.com

a global awakening - TONIGHT!

Photographer (and friend) ALICE KEENEY, will be presenting her work at Global Awakening - a fair trade store located at 499 King Street, Downtown Charleston TONIGHT, FRIDAY, APRIL 25th - 5-8pm. Gerald Gregory (keys) and I will be accompanying the evening and Alice's gorgeous photography with our music. Alice's work is on the walls at Kudu Coffee year round. The show tonight is offering a combination of her staple pieces and some NEW work! The reception tonight is FREE and open to the public. There will be complimentary wine and snacks. Hope to see you there!

For more information, please visit the following sites:

alicekeeney.com
globalawakeningmarket.com

or call
843.577.8579.

and you should know about this

a little love

My gig at Kudu got a little love this morning from the P&C. LINK TO LOVE. Thank you to all who came to enjoy the "easy livin'" on the patio, especially Jack and thanks to Sam and Stu for making it possible. Special thanks to John Saunders and the staff at Kudu for being so accommodating and supportive! We'll be back, I'm sure with phenomenal weather, on April 6th, same time, same place. 2-5pm. See you soon!

nytsq - tuesday 3/25

NEW YORK TOKYO QUARTET TO BRING UNEXPECTED TWISTS TO JAZZ CLASSICS

TUESDAY, MARCH 25th @ 8PM
RECITAL HALL at The College of Charleston

Co-Sponsored by Jazz Artists of Charleston & CofC School of the Arts

CHARLESTON, SC - The New York Tokyo Standards Quartet is one of the most exciting bands to hit the scene. The scene in question, however, has been in Shinjuku, Aoyama and Kyoto - and points east, namely, the islands of Japan. That is, until now. The Jazz Studies Program in the College of Charleston’s School of the Arts and co-sponsor Jazz Artists of Charleston, will host a concert by the quartet on Tuesday, March 25 at 8 p.m. The event will take place in the Recital Hall of the Simons Center for the Arts, 54 St. Philip St. Admission is $10 general public / $5 for students with ID. For more information, please call (843) 953-5927.

The quartet will also conduct a master class on Monday, March 24 from 5-7 p.m. in Room 316 of the Simons Center. General admission is $5 and students with ID may attend free of charge.

This unique band features some of New York's busiest jazz players, who developed their rapport by playing clubs in Manhattan and who reunited 6,000 miles away during their regular travels in Japan. The band's concept is straightforward, keeping the music simple. They draw on jazz classics and material from the familiar world of jazz standards but bring freedom to it and fun playing that invites the unexpected. Three tours around Nihon later, on the eve of the release of their first recording (“Live from NHK”), the results are impressive.

Tim Armacost, a fiery tenor saxophone player, has shared the stage with the likes of Jimmy Cobb, Kenny Barron, Tom Harrell, Billy Hart and many of the world’s most famous jazz musicians. He speaks fluent Japanese and has traveled to Japan regularly since his school days. David Berkman brings a mountain of harmony to the group. His playing is always rhythmically forceful and filled with unusual twists and turns. Yosuke Inoue, a New York club regular who has recently moved back to Japan, is justly celebrated as one of the country’s finest bassists. His solos are virtuosic and filled with his wry humor, and his outlandish quotes appear in unimagined places. Gene Jackson, the ultimate Japanophile, who lives on Toro (Fatty Tuna), Unagi (eel) and top-level sake, is a drummer of the highest order - a favorite of many jazz superstars such as Herbie Hancock, Dave Holland and Branford Marsalis.

Jazz artists, such as the members of the New York Tokyo Standards Quartet, have inspired the 2008 inception of Jazz Artists of Charleston (JAC), a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote musical awareness and education, including the recognition and preservation of the history of jazz, in the City of Charleston through performances, special events and educational outreach. A significant hallmark of JAC’s inaugural year is their partnership with the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs in its efforts to produce the 2008 Piccolo Spoleto Festival Jazz Series in its 30th year. For more information about Jazz Artists of Charleston, visit www.jazzartistisofcharleston.org or call (843) 564-5154.

sc hit parade - this saturday! 3/22

SC HIT PARADE BRINGS CHARLTON SINGLETON BIG BAND TO STAGE

SATURDAY, MARCH 22 @ 7PM
CHARLESTON MUSIC HALL

Presented and Produced by Jack McCray

BUY TICKETS HERE

Benefiting the Charleston Jazz Initiative

CHARLESTON, SC - The South Carolina Hit Parade, a big band concert, will be held Saturday, March 22, 2008 at 7p.m. at the Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St., Downtown Charleston. The 20-piece Charlton Singleton Orchestra will present a repertoire of jazz tunes composed by, or associated with, musicians from South Carolina including: Dizzy Gillespie, Freddie Green, Fud Livingston, Buddy and Ella Johnson, Bubber Miley, and others. Tickets are $30 in advance / $40 at the door and available at etix.com.

Singleton is a highly regarded and versatile musician, educator, composer and arranger who has helped create the current climate of popularity being enjoyed by jazz in Charleston these days. The band includes many of South Carolina’s musical bright lights such as saxophonist Mark Sterbank, trumpeter Chuck Dalton and trombonist Fred Wesley Jr., former bandleader for James Brown. The CSO rhythm section comprises bassist Kevin Hamilton, pianist Richard White Jr. and percussionist Quentin Baxter, also the rhythm section for CJI’s popular ensemble, the Franklin Street Five. Joining the trio in the CSO rhythm section is guitarist Lee Barbour, one of the best young jazz guitarists in the country, according to guitar giant Joe Beck, Miles Davis’ first guitar player. Vocalists are Tony Burke and Ann Caldwell, Charleston’s First Lady of Jazz.

The concert will benefit the Charleston Jazz Initiative, a research project that explores the history and legacy of jazz in Charleston and other places in South Carolina.

To purchase tickets by phone or for assistance with etix.com, contact 1.800.514.ETIX Monday through Friday from 9-6, or Saturday from 12-5. For more information, interviews and photo opportunities, call Jack McCray at 843-607-3905 or e-mail info@charlestonjazz.net.

CDs AVAILABLE ONLINE!

FINALLY, I got around to shipping that little box with 5 lonely CDs, waiting to be sold HERE. Thank you CD BABY for sending me all of those emails, reminding me of my slackness. Thank you for your patience and here's hoping that you've been anxiously awaiting to buy my latest release, Found Freedom, online!! Just a reminder that it is also available at Avondale Wine & Cheese, Barnes & Noble (Mt. Pleasant) and 52.5 Records!

Thank you for your support!!

go see something this weekend!

There are a lot of great options for you this weekend. I hope that you'll take advantage of the artistic quality that is being presented in a lot of different mediums. Here are just a few....

LAST NIGHT I went to the opening of an exhibit at the Harper Wellness Center, co-sponsored by MUSC and The Center for Women, in celebration of Women's History Month. Yes, February is Women's History Month and there were some great photographers' work featured at this event. I encourage you to stop by and see the exhibit in the lobby the Wellness Center on Courtney Street. There you will find fabulous images from exception women photographers, including Alice Keeney, Marni Rothschild and Brianna Stello.

TONIGHT, MARCH 7 French Quarter Art Walk - 5-8pm
Most of the art galleries downtown will be open and presenting their latest show! There are a lot of great local artists represented, including Nathan Durfee at Robert Lange Studios and Lisa Shimko at Lime Blue (62b queen st.).

LISTEN...
Quentin Baxter Ensemble @ The Charleston Grill 8p-12a
Robert Lewis & Fearless Jones @ The Trusted Palate 9:30p-12:30a
Duda Lucena @ Pilot's Lounge - 4340 Ladson Rd. 8p-12a
Kevin Hackler @ Mercato 9p-12a

TOMORROW, MARCH 8

Jonathan Green Week Performance @ The Circular Church
Gullah Expressions Concert - 3:30-5pm
Circular Congregational Church - jonathangreenweek.com
World premiere of a new commission by composer and professor (CofC), Trevor Weston

Quentin Baxter Ensemble @ The Charleston Grill 8p-12a
Bill Carson & Friends @ Mercato - 9p-12a
Cary Ann Hearst @ The Trusted Palate - 9:30p-12:30a

SUNDAY, MARCH 9

See you at Jazz Vespers!

jazz vespers this sunday!

This Sunday, March 9th, I hope to see you at Jazz Vespers at the Circular Congregational Church located at 150 Meeting Street, Downtown Charleston. The performance starts at 6pm, preceded by an educational program, sponsored by the Charleston Concert Association in conjunction with the Charleston Jazz Initiative. The Jazz Ed Program will begin at 5pm in the same building. I will be discussing the influences and process of my original compositions, mostly, and there will be a question and answer session as well. Both the lecture and performance are admission free! Joining me for the performance are pianist Gerald Gregory, bassist Kevin Hamilton and percussionist Stuart White. As always, thank you for your support!!

Love to you all!

Leah

TODAY @ 52.5

I am literally crawling out from under that January rock and welcoming February with a song...or two!  It's late notice, but if you're out and about, come check us out @ 52.5 Records, Downtown Charleston, at 7pm.  Come visit your favorite locally owned and operated shop, where you can find an eclectic mix of merch, cds, zines and say "hey" to Clay, the owner.   Thank him for supporting local artists!  We're playing only one 45 minute set "on the rug."  It'll be me, singing that new CD for you!  Joining me on the rug tonight are David Linaburg (guitar), Nathan Koci (accordion, flugelhorn), Nick Jenkins (percussion).  52.5 is the ONLY Downtown location that "Found Freedom" is being sold.  Hope to see you there!  If not, be on the lookout next week.  Lots more coming soon!!  Most of all, I hope that all of you are enjoying a great start to the New Year!!

Love,

Leah