Sue Maskaleris
Sue is a composer, lyricist, pianist, singer, arranger and producer of Brazilian and Latin jazz. (She dabbles on electric/acoustic violins, Brazilian guitar and electric bass as well.) She has worked extensively locally and abroad as bandleader, soloist, duo, etc. at such clubs as the Blue Note, Birdland and Iridium; jazz festivals at Lincoln Center and at St. Peter’s Church in NYC; the Spoleto and Kool Festivals, and clubs in Savannah, GA. In Europe she has worked in Switzerland, Sweden, Ireland, England and on 26 ships worldwide.
Sue has accompanied legendary singers Abbey Lincoln and Annie Ross; worked with bassists Harvie S, Ron McLure, David Finck; drummers Mark Walker, Portinho, Rodney Holmes; reedmen Steve Slagle, Bob Mover; guitarists David Spinozza, Paul Meyers; hornmen Wayne Andre and Don Elliot--among many others. She appears on CDs of singers Nancy Monroe, Eve Zanni,Tom Briggs; reedman John Shaw and pianist Bob Albanese. Some artists who admire Sue’s music include Sheila Jordan, Doug Carn, Dave Valentin, Mark Murphy, Roger Williams, Jorge Dalto and Antonio Adolfo.
Unbreakable Heart (Jazilian Records) was Sue’s debut leading her award-winning originals with the stellar cast of Eddie Gomez, Lenny White, Toninho Horta, Michal Urbaniak and Mark Murphy. This CD yielded many awards, including 2nd choice worldwide in the Thelonious Monk Composition Competition. She took 1st Prize in the Billboard Song Contest, World category, for “No, But I Wish...”. Sue was also a winner in JAZZIZ magazine’s “Keyboards on Fire!” Talent Search, judged by Dave Brubeck and Bob James, for “Pajamasamba”, which has been performed by Danilo Perez and recorded by Bill Watrous. She released a song anthology, “Pieces of Heaven: Challenging Songs for the Jazz Singer”. Her songs have been performed by Bob Dorough, Roger Kellaway, Gail Wynters, Adela Dalto, Harold Danko and Judy Niemack.
Sue studied composition at Manhattan School of Music with John Corigliano. She studied arranging with Don Sebesky and film-scoring with Buddy Baker. Sue studied piano with Armen Donelian, Hal Galper, Norman Simmons and Andy LaVerne.