Susanne Alt
Encyclopedia
Susanne Alt is a jazz saxophone
player and composer based in Amsterdam
, The Netherlands.
, Germany, in 1978, to Hans-Joachim and Maria Alt. Hans-Joachim is a composer, poet and piano teacher, and Maria is a guitar teacher. After studying classical piano and guitar with her parents, Susanne began playing the saxophone in 1991, and successfully participated in several saxophone competitions. Between 1993-1995, while still in high-school, she started taking lessons in classical saxophone at the Meistersingerkonservatorium Nuremberg, and was a full time student there during the 1995-96 academic year. During this year Susanne began practicing in jazz music, and later that year, after winning the "Siemens-Jazz-Förderpreis" she moved to the Netherlands
to continue here studies at the Hilversums Conservatorium. (The school was later merged into the Conservatorium van Amsterdam
).
Postgraduate studies brought her back to Germany, where she enrolled in the Berlin University of the Arts
in 2000. She formed her own ensemble, the "Susanne Alt Quartet" in 2003, and in the following year released her debut album, Nocturne at Bimhuis
, Amsterdam.
Alt has collaborated with a number of notable musicians and ensembles. Since 1998, she played with Rosa King, of Soulcatchers, Tribute 2 Bob Marley; BuJazzO, was a member of the Amsterdam Jazz Orchestra, played with Jamal Thomas Band, Fred Wesley
and the New J.B.'s.
She has also toured worldwide with house DJ’s and producers such as Hardsoul Productions, Piglife, Roog, Ronald Molendijk, Marc van Dale and Erick E. For several years now she has also performed with jazz DJ's like Graham B, DJ Maestro, and Wicked Jazz Sounds.
Personnel:
Susanne Alt: alto and soprano saxophone
Thijs Cuppen: piano
Sven Schuster: double bass
Klaas van Donkersgoed: drums
Personnel:
Susanne Alt: alto and soprano saxophone
Thijs Cuppen: piano
Sven Schuster: double bass
Philippe Lemm: drums
Personnel:
Susanne Alt: alto and soprano saxophone
Thijs Cuppen: piano
Sven Schuster: double bass
Philippe Lemm: drums
Personnel:
Susanne Alt: alto and soprano saxophone
Thijs Cuppen: piano
Sven Schuster: double bass
Philippe Lemm: drums
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
player and composer based in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, The Netherlands.
Biography
Susanne Alt was born in WürzburgWürzburg
Würzburg is a city in the region of Franconia which lies in the northern tip of Bavaria, Germany. Located at the Main River, it is the capital of the Regierungsbezirk Lower Franconia. The regional dialect is Franconian....
, Germany, in 1978, to Hans-Joachim and Maria Alt. Hans-Joachim is a composer, poet and piano teacher, and Maria is a guitar teacher. After studying classical piano and guitar with her parents, Susanne began playing the saxophone in 1991, and successfully participated in several saxophone competitions. Between 1993-1995, while still in high-school, she started taking lessons in classical saxophone at the Meistersingerkonservatorium Nuremberg, and was a full time student there during the 1995-96 academic year. During this year Susanne began practicing in jazz music, and later that year, after winning the "Siemens-Jazz-Förderpreis" she moved to the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
to continue here studies at the Hilversums Conservatorium. (The school was later merged into the Conservatorium van Amsterdam
Conservatorium van Amsterdam
The Conservatorium van Amsterdam is a Dutch academy of music located in Amsterdam. This school is the music division of the Amsterdamse Hogeschool voor de Kunsten, the city's vocational university of arts...
).
Postgraduate studies brought her back to Germany, where she enrolled in the Berlin University of the Arts
Berlin University of the Arts
The Universität der Künste Berlin, UdK is a public art school in Berlin, Germany, one of the four universities in the city...
in 2000. She formed her own ensemble, the "Susanne Alt Quartet" in 2003, and in the following year released her debut album, Nocturne at Bimhuis
Bimhuis
The Bimhuis is a concert hall for jazz and improvised music in Amsterdam.With an average of 150 performances a year the Bimhuis is the main stage for these musical genres in the Netherlands....
, Amsterdam.
Alt has collaborated with a number of notable musicians and ensembles. Since 1998, she played with Rosa King, of Soulcatchers, Tribute 2 Bob Marley; BuJazzO, was a member of the Amsterdam Jazz Orchestra, played with Jamal Thomas Band, Fred Wesley
Fred Wesley
Fred Wesley is an American jazz and funk trombonist, best known for his work with James Brown in the 1960s and 1970s.-Biography:...
and the New J.B.'s.
She has also toured worldwide with house DJ’s and producers such as Hardsoul Productions, Piglife, Roog, Ronald Molendijk, Marc van Dale and Erick E. For several years now she has also performed with jazz DJ's like Graham B, DJ Maestro, and Wicked Jazz Sounds.
Discography
- 2004: Nocturne
Personnel:
Susanne Alt: alto and soprano saxophone
Thijs Cuppen: piano
Sven Schuster: double bass
Klaas van Donkersgoed: drums
- 2007: Delight with special guest Anton Goudsmit:guitar
Personnel:
Susanne Alt: alto and soprano saxophone
Thijs Cuppen: piano
Sven Schuster: double bass
Philippe Lemm: drums
- 2009: On Track with special guests Bruno Speight (guitar) and Fred Wesley (trombone)
Personnel:
Susanne Alt: alto and soprano saxophone
Thijs Cuppen: piano
Sven Schuster: double bass
Philippe Lemm: drums
- 2011 Live At Bimhuis
Personnel:
Susanne Alt: alto and soprano saxophone
Thijs Cuppen: piano
Sven Schuster: double bass
Philippe Lemm: drums