Since being tipped for the top by Jazzwise magazine, Sue Richardson’s career has gone from strength to strength. Her most recent album, Too Cool, The Life & Music of Chet Baker, cemented her position in the jazz world – gaining four and five star reviews in the jazz press as well as internationally and sell out gigs at Ronnie Scott’s. It was also in The Sunday Times 100 Best Records of The Year 2013 – “The trumpeter and singer Sue Richardson’s homage to Chet Baker brings the boy wonder back to life”.
“Sue Richardson’s trumpet playing catches [Baker’s] combination of delicacy and strength, and her singing has something of his candid simplicity. She even writes the kind of tunes that he might have invented.” 4* review in The Observer“I kid you not, you closed your eyes, you were listening to Chet Baker. A remarkable young woman.” Richard Wheatly, Jazz FM
In 2012 Sue worked in Paris with French singer Mina Agossi and Archie Shepp on the blues project ‘Red Eyes’. Archie, on hearing Sue’s playing for the firsttime, commented “She can sure growl!”Recently Sue has been performing with Ian Shaw (she guested on his current album dedicated to the work of Fran Landesman) and they performed a sold-out duo show of jazz standards bringing together all elements of their talents.
Sue has been honoured to work with The Humphrey Lyttelton Band. Clive Davis writing in The Times compared her style to Humph’s: “When the cast of I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue led a high-spirited tribute to the late Humphrey Lyttelton at the Hammersmith Apollo in 2011, the trumpeter Sue Richardson was among the many musicians who helped to give the old man a stirring send-off. Some of his insouciant comic timing seems to have rubbed off on her as well: she is a breezy presence on the bandstand who is quite happy to make self-deprecating asides about the everyday problems of finding a lipstick that doesn’t leave sediment inside her horn. More to the point, she also possesses something of Hump’s flair for constructing a concise, neatly crafted melody. If Chet Baker and Clifford Brown are two of her main role models – her timbre is warm and full-bodied – her soloing, while avoiding high-note theatrics, evokes the generosity and exuberance of players from the swing era.” The Times
Touring with big bands by the age of 16, Sue’s musical journey has seen her gigging in over 50 countries in hotels, jazz clubs and on cruise ships. You can even hear her recorded version of The Girl From Ipanema being played in Rio in the famous bar where the song was written. She has worked for the BBC, performing at The Last Night of The Proms and gaining a Blue Peter badge for her singing! Sue’s gigs are a great combination of her original songs and imaginatively reworked standards, revealing her love of mainstream and 1950s jazz. The musicians in the band also take centre stage with well thought-out solo spots. The tightly-knit band have taken their special brand of modern jazz with a main stream twist to many venues on the national and international circuits.
Sue played with the Jazznights Trio who were:
With additional vocals from Larraine:
Following the Jazznights raffle of 3 Jazz CDs, we had the traditional sitting-in spot which is open to all musicians who have the opportunity to play with the band. Tonight we had the pleasure of Adrian Whitman playing the drums.
Sunday 17th February 2019 Nigel Price (guitar) will be at Jazznights
Nigel has worked tirelessly to organise his own tours (including a 56 date tour in late 2016) and has picked up a Parliamentary Jazz Award (Best Jazz Ensemble, 2010), a nomination for a British Jazz Award (Best Guitarist, 2014) and a British Jazz Award (Best Guitarist, 2016) along the way. He is a regular performer at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club.
THE BEST IN BRITISH MODERN JAZZ is at Jazznights, Admission £10. Doors open 7.00 pm. Music 7.30 – 10.00 pm.
Reserve seating on 01787 237653 or email info@jazz-nights.com
Pay on the night.
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