Meet Suzanne Grzanna

Today we’d like to introduce you to Suzanne Grzanna.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Suzanne Grzanna was born and grew up in a small suburb of Milwaukee. Her parents, Don and Maureen Grzanna, are professional musicians, and she started piano lessons with her mother when she was five. Suzanne changed her primary focus to alto-sax in seventh grade. In addition to jazz and hearing her father and mother perform, she enjoyed other genres. Suzanne sang and played piano in her family band from a very young age.

While in college, she not only performed with the jazz band but the school’s symphonic orchestra and a Christian rock group. Suzanne also sang with the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus for many years, starting at 18. After attending Wisconsin Lutheran College and earning a music degree from Carroll University, she formed her jazz quartet. Suzanne immediately started a busy performance schedule, and she has not slowed down since.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Time has been a struggle. There are so many things to do as an independent musician. Working on your art craft of composing, practicing, and rehearsing is just the beginning. After that, time is spent on running your music business.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Suzanne Grzanna is an award-winning songwriter, saxophonist, vocalist, arranger, producer, music publisher, and sync music library who composes music and lyrics. Suzanne is also a member of the Recording Academy, SAG-AFTRA, Hollywood Music and Media Awards, Society of Composers & Lyricists, and Guild of Music Supervisors (Friend). She has nine albums released on her label Diva Records and has recorded over ninety songs. Her music has been featured in many films and played across the globe on the radio. She has performed for many music festivals and private events. Suzanne loves to connect with the audience and share her love for music with them. She is very passionate about creating and loves being a part of the amazing musical community. Suzanne just released an original jazzy Big Room – Breaks – Electro tune titled “Simply Sunday After Hours” (2022), Love Sick with Kim Cameron (Sax Diva. 2022). Suzanne also performed on Justine Blazer’s Tears of Blue (2022) and has a new Dolby Atmos Jazz album being released in 2023.

Suzanne has won many awards including Hollywood Music and Media Awards, Indie Music Channel Awards, UK Songwriting Awards, Hollywood Songwriting Awards, Academia Music Awards, Clouzine Music Awards, and Josie Music Awards to name a few.

In the film, Suzanne recorded two songs on the children’s film Seaper Powers (Billboard top 20 Artist Kim Cameron – Director) Mystery of the Blue Pearls Soundtrack “A Dance After Midnight” and “Never Forgetting” (2022). “Oh, Christmas Tree” was recorded for the Hallmark Movie “My Family Christmas Tree” (2021). Suzanne co-wrote a song with John DePatie for Seaper Powers (Kim Cameron – Director) In Search of Bleu Jay’s Treasure titled “Sunrise” which is airing on the Dove Channel (2021). Suzanne’s original composition “Simply Sunday” has been featured in the film Wild Honey (2019) (Director – Francis Stokes) and in the film short A Different Direction (Director – Colleen Ann Brah). Suzanne will also be working on “Western Conviction” (Director – Colleen Ann Brah) as Loretta.

In music, Suzanne recently has been a part of Simply Sunday After Hours (2022), Kim Cameron (Billboard Charting) & Sax Diva “Love Sick” (2022), Seaper Powers Mystery of the Blue Pearls Soundtrack “A Dance After Midnight” “Never Forgetting” (2022), Oliver Sean (Billboard Charting) “Mama Taught Me” (2022), Justine Blazer “Tears of Blue” (2022), “Children of the World” with Rupam Sarmah & Grammy Winner Kevin Makie (2022), “Peace & Joy” Sophia Agranovich, Rupam Sarmah & Tamra Garrett (2022), Seaper Powers Movie Soundtrack “Sunrise” (2021), Oliver Sean “Blues Dance Worldbeat (2021), Kim Cameron Children’s Album “Connecting to Animals” A Question (2021) Dimitri K “Lost In Intensity” (2021), Oliver Sean’s Billboard Charting Album The Devil is Back (2020), Oliver Sean “Yeah Whatever” (2020), Oliver Sean “Blues Dance (2020), Grant Maloy Smith “We’ll Stay Together” (2020), Sharon Lia “The Sum of Us (2020), Robert & Karen Brewer “If I Could” (2020) Oliver Sean “Everyday Will Be Like A Holiday” (2020), Kim Cameron “Let Me Ask You 4am Deep Sax Remix” (2019), Cynthia Herring & the Sue Sisters “Happy Birthday Mooney” (2019), Kim Cameron “Let Me Ask You” LIVE video (2019), Rupam Sarmah and Grammy Winning Producer Kevin Mackie “Together in Peace” (2018),Dr. Kobi Armad, Armond Hutton (Grammy Nominated), Al Walser (Grammy Winner) “Forever”, David Longoria “We Are One” (2017), Kim Cameron “Fearless Lovers”, “Spring Waltz” (2017), “Wedding Day” (2016), “Daybreak” (2016), “Original Songs by Don Grzanna” (2009), “Christmas Night (2008), “Simply Sunday (2005), “Jazz in the Park” (2004), “My Santa Baby” (2004), “Fly Me to the Moon” (2000), “The Cat’s Meow” (1993) and many more.

“I have been fortunate to perform at so many places. Love to play at festivals because it’s fun to be on a large stage, reaching as many people as possible. But, I also enjoy performing in more intimate club settings since it is easier to communicate with each individual. Talking to the audience is one of my favorite things to do.” In the future, I want to continue my musical life and share my love for music with all.”

More information about Suzanne Grzanna can be found at Divarecords.US

Mandi May
Diva Records LLC
Grzanna Jazz Booking
201-591-JAZZ
[email protected]
SAXDIVA.COM

Contact Info:

• Website: SAXDIVA.COM
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzannegrzanna/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzannegrzannaband/
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/suzannegrzanna
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SuzanneGrzanna
• Other: https://www.youtube.com/@SaxDiva1

Image Credits
Ciro Hurtado, Mike Huibregtse, Dave Gilo, Mariel Morgan, and Allison Emm – Wisconsin Music Ventures