Suzy speaks to DRUM about her journey as a saxophonist and what she hopes to do in the near future.
“I am a Namibian saxophonist, performer and musician. I started playing alto saxophone when I was 16 in a high school in Cape Town. I knew I wanted to perform – I love acting, I loved playing the piano, and when I was 16 I attended a jazz festival in Grahamstown (now known as Makhanda) and fell in love with jazz music,” she explains.
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The 29-year-old artist has many people she draws inspiration from.
“I love Esperanza Spalding, Kamasi Washington, Hugh Masekela, Jimmy Dludlu, Burna Boy, Wizkid and so many others! I am a huge amapiano fan. I love DJ Maphorisa, Kabza and most of South African amapiano and House. Living in Cape Town for five years has influenced my passion to listen, play and perform South African music.”
The saxophonist has received a lot of praise for her talent and has even caught the attention of some of South Africa’s biggest artists, many of whom have asked her for a collab. When asked if she expected the traction she gained from her videos, Suzy says she was taken by surprise.
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“Not at all, but I am aware that they do love music, and this was such an amazing experience for me to know that what I do was praised in a surprising way – celebrity after celebrity after celebrity. Magical,” she says.
Suzy has been performing on international stages at events such as Two Evenings of Jazz, which was presented by the US Embassy in Windhoek, Namibia.
She has expressed her gratitude towards the support she has received throughout her journey. “I’m thankful God has offered me opportunities to represent Namibia as well as Africa & share the joy of music,” she tweeted.
When we ask her about some of her biggest achievements, the award-winning artist has an impressive list.
“I won album of the year and best newcomer of the year at the Namibian Annual Music Awards in 2019. Performing for my president, the first lady and their guests regularly, performing in Durban at a major jazz festival and in Dubai at a global fusion concert are some of my biggest achievements and highlights,” she says.
Despite the current global pandemic, Suzy still hopes to create more songs, more music and more content for her supporters. Her self-titled album is available on all major music platforms.
