EMERITUS MEMBERS
SUEZENNE FORDHAM CHAMBER JAZZ LA

TEDDY CHARLES {Theodire Cohen] Vibist, Deagan Artist
Longtime friend and legendary composer and collaboraror of Charles Mingus, and founder of the Avant Garde Movement in NY in the '50s,60's and 70s. Still doin'it in NY, with recordings, and appearances at such huge venues as the Vangard, and the Iridium. Still a sea faring man, of Schooners. AND a DOGIST!!!

NOAH GARABEDIAN, Contrabassist
Sent to me by the first Bassist with my LA group, Roberto Miranda, Noah arrived at the door of my studio begging for a chance to play with my Avant Garde Trio, Noah was a knock- kneed kid with a toothy grin, and chops that wouldn't quit.His first gig with the group was so difficult his fingers bled, as he was a student at UCLA, and wasn't prepared with adequate callouses to endure strenuous playing fo extended periods of time Of course he had BIG EARS, and a heart to match.. He was with my Trio for four years, wending his way into my psyche and being. A very intuitive player, he had the uncanny ability to read my mind musically and personally.He eventually left for the Jazz Life in New York.[Brooklyn.] I am hoping he will freeze his buns off, and return to LA,to rejoin SFCJLA....He was actually my Scotty La Faro...Awsome Dude.

RICHARD DAVIS, CONTRABASSIST
The one Bassist who literally changed the entire way of playing Jazz on the Contrabass, using the Bow with a scrupulous Classical tecnique, and Bowing genius. When he first arrived in NY at the Embers on E 64th Street, he was fresh out of Northwstern University in Chicago, and the more knowledgable musicians in town were knocked out, He had the ultimate career in NY, all the best Jazz gigs, sometimes playing with the NY Philharmonic when their Bass section couldn't get horrifically difficult passages together on compositions by Stockhausen, Varese, or Stravinsky. Richard was my FIRST Bassist in forming a duo and Trio in NY, At one point we even had a DUO with just Contrabass and Vibes.. I LOVED his Contrabass, which was a majestic instrument with a carved wood Lion's Head as the scroll. He now is the head of the String Dept at the University of Wisconson in Madison, and in very active in Human Rights movements... The Consumate Musician, Friend and Humanitarian.
Suezenne Fordham,SFCJLA

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

SUEZENNE FORDHAM CHAMBER JAZZ LA PREMIERES" NEW ORBITS" SeriesSUNDAY JULY 27th 08 7:30 PM- 10PMSouth Pasadena Main Library Concert Hall1115 El CentroSouth Pasadena, Ca.Info: 818 371 7735suezennefordhamchamberjazzla@blogspot.comsuezennefordhamchamberjazz@blogspot.comSuezenne Fordham, Piano, Gu ZhengTwo contrabasses:Charlie Domingo, PrincipalMike Alvidrez, Asst.PrincipalTWO Drummers;Rochelle Coatney, Latin PercussionCassidy Turbin, Drumset and Percussion*Don Littleton, on tour in Japan*Bob Carr, at the Ahmanson orch.with"Chorus Line"Our music is a fusion of Bop, Avant Garde, Classical, with emphasis on virtuoso playing and musicality. The concert experience with Jazz Passion. Music is highly understandable and emotional. "This is a whole new group, and I have chosen the best in LA. I am very proud of my new players, and we will be going places musically that havn't been thought of, reaching for the universe, so tp speak,"said Fordham. My group is in it's seventh year, and I still mourn the loss of Bassist Garabedian, and to some extent Ross, but I will be pushing my new players into their New Orbits. Events are free, donations acceptedLook forward to seeing you. Ambience is Hip, Arty, Historic, intellectual, comfortable
posted by SUEZENNE FORDHAM