The Susan Tobocman Trio

On Friday, May 29^th we welcome the Susan Tobocman Trio to the main dining room for her Alvin & Friends debut. Singer/composer/lyricist/producer/arranger Susan Tobocman has been making a name for herself among audiences and musicians alike on the New York jazz scene for a number of years. Whether leading her own gigs at Zinc Bar (where she was the original artist-in-residence), The Metropolitan Room, Flatiron Room, Highline Ballroom, Smalls, Birdland, Smoke, or Cleopatra’s Needle — or as the guest of luminaries Barry Harris, Al Foster, or the late Doc Cheatham (to name a few) — Susan’s extensive repertoire of standards ranges from the familiar to the obscure and is distinctly enhanced by her inventive arrangements, as well as her original compositions.  Among her influences, the Detroit-born singer cites Shirley Horn, Carmen McRae, Joao Gilberto, Dena DeRose, Johnny Mandel, and Andy Bey. Susan’s professional experience includes numerous European tours as featured artist; two Off-Broadway musicals; an array of national television and radio jingles; touring as keyboardist and vocalist with Tom Tom Club (Talking Heads sans David Byrne); and, appearing on ‘Late Night with David Letterman.’  In addition to session work for the MCA and Atlantic record labels — singing background vocals for Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Wailers, Richie Havens, and Garland Jeffries — Susan has her own CDs, ‘Watercolor Dream’ and the recently released ‘Live In Detroit With The Cliff Monear Trio.’ “Susan Tobocman is a musical treasure,” says bassist Paul Keller, citing her jazz sensibilities and delivery. “Musicians and audiences dig Susan Tobocman!”