Vocalist, Rhythm Guitarist and Songwriter Suzanne Callaway began studying Jazz in Portland, Oregon in 1998, after nearly two decades of performing as a Singer/Songwriter, primarily in and around the Los Angeles, California and Portland, Oregon areas. Born and raised in Dallas, Texas in the 1960s, “my mother was my first encounter with any musician; I remember being quite young, sitting on the piano stool next to her as she pounded out big fat chords on the family upright, music is magic… a communication that happens unlike any other… it bonds people, it gives peace, it spurs us on!”
“I hold a deep appreciation to my beloved mother, “Frances Sue,” for her unique inspiration, and for all the great music, recorded and live, to which she endeavored to expose me… I listened, and from there I went.”
In 1980 Suzanne moved to Los Angeles and there began songwriting.
“I started writing poetry in my early teens, and so putting words to music must of happened pretty naturally once I got a few chords going.”
After some years of college, including some literature and music theory classes, and lots of coffee house gigs, she began playing the electric bass and joined her first band. Most of the professional training Suzanne has received as a musician has been on the job. She has also taken formal training through workshops and private lessons.
As singer, rhythm guitarist, and primary songwriter, Suzanne played in many bands through the 1980s and 90s, landing radio play on L.A.’s KROQ, KMHD, and KLOS, and was featured and interviewed by David Blanco on Portland’s KBOO.
In 1998 Suzanne recorded and produced her first full-length CD of original songs with “The Standing People.”
Suzanne is currently in collaboration with drummer and partner, Theresa Riccardi, and together they perform with other jazz musicians as “Two Spirit Jazz.” The band currently plays venues in and around the greater Portland area.