Suzanne plays jazz, classical, rock, and blues with several bands in Iowa. Her big band, Smith Studio Jazz, has played several times at the Iowa City Jazz Festival. She also plays traditional jazz with Dandelion Stompers, rock with The Decrepitones, chamber music with LIROS Woodwind Quintet, and many other bands and orchestras for musical theater.
Smith Studio Jazz
Smith Studio Jazz is Suzanne's big band, playing songs from many genres in jazz-band style. She plays alto saxophone with SSJ.
Iowa City Jazz Festival 2015
Dandelion Stompers
Suzanne Soars on clarinet with the Dandelion Stompers, a traditional jazz band that plays bawdy songs from the 1920s and 1930s. Passionate groups of mostly young fans dance the balboa, jitterbug, and lindy hop at Stompers shows.
Mardi Gras 2020 at The Mill
The Bohemian rooftop August 2021
Wandering Pint / Decrepitones
Wandering Pint and the Decrepitones are classic rock bands that give Suzanne the chance to bring out the throaty rock and blues sounds of the tenor sax, and she plays some keyboard, as well. A media player with studio recordings of several covers is at WanderingPint.com.
LIROS Woodwind Quintet
LIROS Woodwind Quintet takes Suzanne's clarinet to the Classical world, keeping her grounded in the precision and tradition of chamber music.
Suzanne's Many Bands
Suzanne directs, plays, or substitutes for other bands, orchestras, and ensembles.
