Tenor and soprano saxophonist and flutist Susan Goodman (Sooz) was performing as a jazz artist in Boston, New York, Atlantic City, and Philadelphia before the birth of her children inspired her to write and record five award-winning CDs of original music for their generation. Her unique songwriting style is flavored with music from the wide range of genres she has always loved--from Jazz to Pop to Caribbean to Afro-Beat.  It features well-crafted lyrics, and the highest caliber of musicianship and production:  decidedly not just for kids.

Susan followed a decidedly non-traditional path to becoming an anti-bullying educator and recording artist. She began as a student of classical flute music, but was blown away into the world of jazz when she heard Eric Dolphy's flute/bass duet with Richard Davis on Duke Ellington's Come Sunday, from the Ironman LP.  Coltrane Ballads had a similar effect.  When she discovered Wayne Shorter and his beautiful LP Native Dancer, she fell in love with the soprano sax and was moved to play her first reed instrument (even though folks said, "you can't start on soprano! that's too hard to play!") Going backwards in time, listening to Wayne's classic Blue Note recordings, she fell in love again, and had to play those gorgeous Wayne tunes on tenor. 

Since then Susan has listened to and been inspired by so many other great musicians, composers, and songwriters, including Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, Miles Davis, Jimmy Heath, Stan Getz, Michael Brecker, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McCrae, Nancy Wilson, Rosa Passos, Mingus, Monk, Metheny, Joni Mitchell, Peter Gabriel, Sting, Daara J and Jay Z. 

Susan studied formally with Jerry Bergonzi and Stan Strickland, got an occasional (precious) lesson with reed master Joe Allard, and heard lots of great jazz in Boston (at The Jazz Workshop and Lulu White's) before moving to New York, where her ears were further opened up.  There she heard amazing jazz even before she stepped out on the street:  Joe Lovano was her downstairs neighbor, and his beautiful sound filled the stairwell.

It wasn’t until 2009 that Susan released her first jazz CD, Central Park West.  (Thank you, Bob Perkins of WRTI, for your kind words and airplay!) As a musician, jazz is still her main love.  But working to end bias and bullying, through her music, has taken priority over other musical endeavors since 2000, when she released Stand Up! Speak Out!, her first CD that addressed these issues.  She has been presenting Stand Up! Speak Out!, a music-based program on bias and bullying, ever since.

Sooz credits her children, Dylan and Miles, for inspiring her to write songs for the first time in her musical career.  Her passion for songwriting soon intersected with her passion for social justice.  She began writing songs about prejudice as part of her final project in a Holocaust-Genocide Education program in 1999.  Her songwriting has expanded to address the entire spectrum of bias-based bullying--from xenophobia to homophobia.  Her mission is to help make school a safe space for all students, regardless of real or perceived differences in their appearance, ability, race, religion, national origin, culture, accent, sexual orientation, gender or gender expression, or any other aspect of their identity.

EDUCATION

2011  NJ Anti-Bullying Legislation Training Certificate(s):  Bias & Bias-Based Bullying

New Release:  LIVE OUT LOUD

Calling out bias and bullying in a unique mix of urban, Afro-pop, jazz, and latin flavored songs, this newest release from Sooz is the long awaited follow up to her 2000 release Stand Up! Speak Out!  Live Out Loud is an ear-catching expression of Sooz’ distinctly original songwriting, where it intersects with her passion for social justice.  Weaving together a decidedly diverse collection of musical styles, she casts a wide net for an equally diverse collection of listeners.

Live Out Loud was created for music-savvy teens (especially high school, and college students) but will be appreciated by parents, teachers, and all who support equality and human rights. Lyrics shine a light on the spectrum of bias--from xenophobia to homophobia—and celebrate the courage and compassion to speak out and be Allies for one another.

Songs tackling tough topics run the gamut from fierce to lyrical.  Sooz’ soulful tenor and soprano saxophone and flute solos are threaded throughout, between unexpectedly ear-catching vocal harmonies (arranged by Kristina Pruitt) and hot horn sections (arranged by Blood Sweat & Tears trumpeter/arranger Steve Jankowski).  Master percussionist Bobby Sanabria graces the project with his unmistakably authentic Afro-Cuban grooves--as well as a heartfelt Spanish rap--on the lone Latin jazz song on the CD, Compasión (a bilingual appeal for compassion).

The rhythm section is comprised of the usual mix of exceptional groove-meisters, including the inventive Frank Strauss on keyboards (and rhythm section arrangements), Sounds of Philadelphia veteran guitarist Ron Jennings, legendary bassist Chico Huff, and drummer Jimmy Coleman (formerly with John Legend).  Jazz pianist Jim Ridl (Dave Liebman Big Band) makes a guest (re)appearance on the driving remix of Prejudice Is the Enemy. 

Sooz has been presenting her music-based program on bias and bullying STAND UP! SPEAK OUT! for over a decade.  She is glad that some recent national and state legislation is reflecting the lethal effects of bias-based bullying, and that some schools are more actively protecting the rights of all students to learn in a safe environment, free of harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB).  Legislation is a step in the right direction, but a lot more work needs to be done, to change school cultures, so that every student can exercise his or her right to a good education in a safe space.  Sooz is committed to making great music that is part of the solution.