Up Jumped Spring

Yes, indeed. It is spring and the weather is gorgeous! Now, if only I could actually pry myself away from work to get outside and enjoy the weather! It's an insanely busy time of year, but I am not sure when I can say that it isn't a busy time of year. Always busy...bzzzz. There's a lot coming up in the coming months. I am especially honored to be a part of so many benefits, supporting beautiful causes - so necessary to the community. I hope that you'll make a choice to come out and support these organizations. I'll be sending a newsletter soon with many more details. In the meantime, check out my SCHEDULE and I'll look forward to seeing you out and about soon! Enjoy the light of spring!

it might as well be spring!

Hello Friends!

Hope you all have had a beautiful start to the year. It's hard to believe that it's nearing March. WHAT?! It's harder to believe that we had snow - actual SNOW - in Charleston, two weeks ago. I suppose every decade or so isn't too bad. I am looking forward to what has already been a super busy start to SPRING! I'm restless, giddy, starry-eyed and perhaps even a bit vaguely discontented, definitely spinning daydreams...it might as well be spring!

Ella Fitzgerald singing Rodgers & Hammerstein's
"It Might As Well Be Spring"
www.youtube.com/watch

Hope to see you soon!
Paz y Amor,
Peace and Love,
Leah

TONIGHT @ PLUM ELEMENTS!
25 FEBRUARY 2010 | Thursday | 6-9pm

The Big DōMo


Plum Elements will sadly be closing its doors on King Street soon. The gallery's owner, Andrea Schenck, is throwing a celebration of gratitude. We hope that you'll come out and thank HER for being such an inspiration and enormous advocate for art in our community. There will be wine, tasty treats and HUGE SALES! The trio will also be playing to set the mood. 6-9pm! FREE! The beautiful canopy above is painted by one of our own talents in Charleston, and my dear friend, Lisa Shimko. SEE HER WORK HERE!

EVERY MONDAY @ MERCATO
102 North Market Street, Downtown Charleston
843.722.6393

Every Monday is MEATBALL MONDAY (I'm serious.) at Mercato Restaurant, located in the heart of Downtown Charleston. If I ate meatballs, I would highly recommend them. Everything on their menu is pretty tasty! They do have meatless options. Lots o' pasta and really yummy pizzas. There's also a JAZZ TRIO! I'm singing with Gerald Gregory on keys and Nick Jenkins on drums. 6-10pm. I do suggest reservations if you're coming for dinner. Or grab a seat at the bar! Mercato offers jazz six nights a week - there is not a night you'll want to miss!

SAVE THE DATE

SINGIN' ON BASIE w/ The Charleston Jazz Orchestra!
27 MARCH 2010
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW! THEJAC.ORG

TAKE BACK THE NIGHT
Sponsored by People Against Rape
01 April 2010

JAZZ VESPERS @ The Charleston Circular Church
11 April 2010

TEACHERS' SUPPLY CLOSET BENEFIT
18 April 2010

and more...

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Go Pink.

If you haven't noticed, with all of the pink flair around town and in windows and on wrists and lapels....it's BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH. Save those ta tas! We're at Mercato every Monday, 6-10pm. So, while you're there do your part and order your Mertatatini and a Pink Pizza (which is actually quite delicious, by the way!) and help FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT!

See you tonight. I'll be the one wearing pink. Well, all black and a splash of pink...

fall "break"

I am officially on fall "break," but that only means it's time for me to catch up!

TONIGHT, 10 October @ MED BISTRO
w/ John Oden (guitar)
*and there is a special guest sitting in with us! :)
7-10pm

TOMORROW, 11 October @ KUDU
w/ Tyler Ross (guitar) and Nick Jenkins (drums)
2-5pm

Back to catching up....I've got to send out an official email blast out soon, but right now I am staring at my overflowing inbox. Love to you all!

Hope to see you this weekend!

Love,
Leah

October Skies = Blue Skies

They are blue and "smiling at me," these October skies...and they are GORGEOUS! It's nice to see and feel the change in the air. I was also very surprised at the change in the air from Charleston to Columbia. For those of you who don't know, my weeks are spent mostly as a road warrior, between Charleston and Columbia. I started graduate school this fall semester. It's significantly cooler in Columbia in the mornings and evenings. A nice change, indeed. I am now realizing that you're probably not reading my blog to hear me ramble about the weather....

Tonight, Med Bistro, West Ashley, next to Earth Fare. Tyler Ross will be on guitar and I will be singing. We play 7-10pm. The food is Mediterranean influenced, and they have a nice wine and beer selection. The walls are adorned with work from local artists. And there's parking! What more can you ask for??

After a little hiatus, healing from a broken right hand, Gerald is back on keys at Mercato. The hand seems to be healing, slowly but surely. It's the trio at Mercato, every Monday, 6-10pm. MercatoCharleston.com for reservations, menu, etc. Reservations aren't necessary, but recommended if you're eating dinner. They do have a really fantastic bar as well, so stop on by...have a drink...or three.

Lots of news on the JAC [Jazz Artists of Charleston] front. Planning for 2010 and beyond has been exciting, to say the least. Keep your ears and eyes open for the latest. In the meantime, visit THEJAC.ORG for more info.

Enjoy the weather change....and I hope to see your smiling faces soon!

Love,
Leah

this weekend

This weekend I'm out at Atlanticville again...but with a new guitar player! His name is Tyler Ross. He will be teaching this fall at the College of Charleston. We play 7-10pm and it's a great covered outdoor deck on Sullivan's Island. Perfect place for a chill Friday evening. www.atlanticville.net

Sunday, August 9th we're back at Kudu! Joining me will be John Oden on guitar and Stuart White on drums. Looking forward to getting back into my Kudu groove...hope you'll join me! iheartkudu.com

Back at Mercato on Monday. This time with Ron Wiltrout on drums and Gerald Gregory back on keys. Many thanks to all who have come out to support! mercatocharleston.com

Hope you are all having a beautiful week!

Sea Libre,
Leah

bzzz....like a B.

Hope you all have been enjoying your summer months! It is so hard to believe that August is here already. Where has the time all gone to?? I finally was able to hit the beach last weekend and just couldn't quite comprehend why I'm not out there more. I didn't ponder too long....I was asleep in less than 10 minutes.

As August sweeps in and yet another birthday is upon me (yikes!), I am thrilled to fill you in on a few additions to my schedule. Monday nights I will be playing regularly at Mercato Restaurant, Downtown, from 6-10pm. We started almost 3 weeks ago and we've had a fantastic time! Nick, Gerald and I are the usual trio, but the next couple of weeks will have Stuart White and Ron Wiltrout, respectively, filling in on percussion. Gerald will still be on keys. Mercato is a hip Italian joint off of Market Street, next to Planter's Inn and Peninsula Grill. Great food, reasonably priced and I hear their music is pretty sweet, too. :) In fact, they are offering jazz six nights a week now and have a terrific line-up. My point: GO TO MERCATO. Visit mercatocharleston.com to make your reservations or just show up and seat yourself at their oh-so-hip bar.

Here's the rundown for this weekend...and what the hell, NEXT weekend, too!

Friday, 31 July @ Atlanticville w/ John Oden (guitar)
Saturday, 1 August @ Med Bistro w/ John Oden (guitar)
Monday, 3 August @ Mercato w/ Gerald Gregory (keys) + Stuart White (percussion)

***

Friday, 7 August @ Atlanticville w/ Tyler Ross (guitar)
Sunday, 9 August @ Kudu w/ John Oden (guitar) + Stuart White (percussion)
Monday, 10 August @ Mercato w/ Gerald Gregory (keys) + Ron Wiltrout (percussion)

And SEPTEMBER 4th....MARK YOUR CALENDARS! LATIN NIGHT featuring the CHARLESTON JAZZ ORCHESTRA! Yours truly will be singing with the big band! You won't want to miss this special event! Tickets ON SALE NOW at THEJAC.ORG or ETIX.COM or by calling 843.641.0011.

Peace and Love,
Paz y Amor,
Leah

Brought to you by the letter B.

'tis the season...festival season, that is.

So, it's festival season. All I have to say is that you should be
HERE.

summer already??

Our last day at Kudu for the spring will be this Sunday, May 17th. We'll be playing the usual 2-5pm, hopefully outside on the beautiful patio....taking in all the sun we can get! Joining me will be Gerald Gregory (keys) and Nick Jenkins (drums). I'm really going to love having us all together again for this Sunday....it will be special. We'll be warming up (literally, if it stays this HOT outside) for NEXT SUNDAY, May 24th @ Mistral. Come to Kudu first, though. It's a special place and probably my most favorite to play. If you haven't been, you should ask yourself, "why not?" No, there's not an app for that....though based on our last experience at Kudu, there should be. :)

4 Vanderhorst Street, Downtown Charleston. 2-5pm. iheartkudu.com

bzzzzzz...

Hello Friends,

There's a lot to catch you up on....so, I'll start with tonight! It might as well be spring....

TONIGHT, May 14th! I'll be at FISH Restaurant from 7-10pm, filling in for Elise. You should stop by....

SAVE THE DATES
Sunday, May 17 @ Kudu
Sunday, May 24 @ Mistral

Details coming soon...

Paz,
Leah

international WOMEN'S day

Charleston, SC- Project Speak Up, in coordination with the Cicrcular Congregational Church of Charleston, will be kicking of the Women's International Day Celebrations in Charleston at the Circular Church, located at 150 Meeting Street, at 4pm on Sunday, March 8, 2009. The days events will feature the opening and continuation of "Hello I Am...", an art opening featuring works by photoraphers and artists including Stacy Pearsall, Mikayla Mackaness, and Priscilla Thomas, a performance by actor Joy Vandervort Cobb, a performance by Leah Suarez, lectures and discussions. Artists' work will be featured throughout the evening. The event is free and open to the public. Please come join in celebrating Women's International Day in Charleston!

The schedule of events is as follows:

4pm: Opening reception welcoming all to the International Women's Day celebrations. Art Opening featuring Project Speak Up, Leah Suarez (www.leahsuarez.com ) & Alice Keeney (www.alicekeeney.com ) and the "Hello I Am..." project, along with featured works by photographers Stacy Pearsall (www.f8pj.com), Mikayla Mackaness (www.mikaylamackaness.com/), and Priscilla Thomas(*http://priscillathomas.com/splash.html). Artists' work will be featured throughout the evening.

4:30-5:15: Performance by actor Joy Vandervort-Cobb, (http://www.cofc.edu/theatre/bios/vandervort.html) followed by readings and Q&A. 5:15-6: Reception /Art Opening featuring Project Speak Up, Leah Suarez & Alice Keeney and the "Hello I Am..." project, along with featured works by photographers Stacy Pearsall, Mikayla Mackaness, and Priscilla Thomas. Artists' work will be featured throughout the evening. 6-7: Jazz Vespers Featuring Leah Suarez featuring Kevin Hamilton (bass) and Gerald Gregory (piano)

7-8: Celebration Reception Continues

Get Mellow On Mondays

Mellow Mushroom Winter Jazz Series
STARTS TONIGHT!
Monday, February 2nd
309 King Street, Downtown Charleston
7:30-10pm
$5
Charleston City Paper CITY PICK
Post & Courier Preview EDITOR'S PICK
*************************************
Leah Suárez - vocals
Gerald Gregory - keys
Nick Jenkins - drums
*************************************
Table Reservations Available
843.327.0346
mellowmanager@gmail.com
Produced by JAZZ ARTISTS OF CHARLESTON


This Winter Jazz Series will run through March 16. See full schedule below! Come out and support live jazz, my friends and colleagues.

February 2 Leah Suarez Trio
February 9 Charlton Singleton Quartet
February 16 Robert Lewis Quartet
February 23 Duda Lucena Trio
March 2 Pulse Trio
March 9 George Kenny Quartet
March 16 Quentin Baxter Trio

Stay Warm @ Voodoo

Winter Jazz Series @ Voodoo Lounge
Every Saturday through March 28th!

Saturday, February 7th
Leah Suárez
w/ Richard White (keys) /7 Ron Wiltrout (drums)
9 - 11:30pm // $5
VOODOO LOUNGE
15 Magnolia Drive, Historic Avondale, West Ashley
Contact: 843.769.0228
info@voodootikibar.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
voodootikibar.com

Do You Kudu?

We're back on Sundays @ Kudu! Thanks to all who have been so supportive and who continually share their Sunday afternoons with us. Such a pleasure. Winter/Spring schedule below.

Kudu Coffee
4 Vanderhorst St.
Downtown, Charleston
Every Other Sunday (more or less)
2-5pm
iheartkudu.com
(843)853-7186
****************
Leah Suárez & Friends
January 11: Richard White (keys), Nick Jenkins (drums)
January 25: Jordan Gravel (keys), Nick Jenkins (drums)
February 1: Richard White (keys), Nick Jenkins (drums)
February 15: Gerald Gregory (keys), Nick Jenkins (drums)
March 1: Bill Carson (guitar), Ron Wiltrout (drums)
March 15: Richard White (keys), Nick Jenkins (drums)
April 5: Richard White (keys), Nick Jenkins (drums)
April 19: Richard White (keys), Ron Wiltrout (drums)
May 3: Richard White (keys), Nick Jenkins (drums)
May 17: Richard White (keys), Nick Jenkins (drums)

See.Feel.Hear. A Few MOMENTS OF JOY

My dear friend, Joy Vandervort-Cobb is starring in her very own show, "Moments of Joy," starting this Wednesday, February 5th. You DO NOT want to miss this show! Joy is an incredibly talented actress and one of those very special people put here on this Earth...to create just that - JOY. A true DIVA.

MOMENTS OF JOY

An original, hilarious and moving cabaret of stories and songs
Join Joy Vandervort-Cobb as she recounts the moments of her life that have shaped her into the irreverent, comic and compassionate women she is.

Presented by The Company Company
Written by and starring Joy Vandervort-Cobb
Directed by Maida Libkin


TICKETS
$20/$15 students and seniors
(800) 838-3006
www.thecompanycompany.com
(843) 810-8100

Circular Congregational Church
150 Meeting Street
Downtown Charleston

Thursday, February 5, 8 pm – “Pay What You Will” Preview
Friday, February 6, 8 pm Saturday, February 7, 8 pm
Sunday, February 8, 3 pm
Thursday, February 12, 8 pm
Saturday, February 14, 5 and 8 pm – Two Shows for Valentine’s Day!
Sunday, February 15, 3 pm

@ 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.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

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...