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Susie Thorne |
Thorne — a Hastings native — is the daughter of a classically trained vocalist and a professional trumpet player who performed with jazz greats Lionel Hampton and Gerry Mulligan.
Thorne herself studied piano performance at the University of Colorado at Denver and vocal studies at Academy of Vocal Arts.
She went on to perform for a loyal following in Japan and Hong Kong where she continued her jazz studies with American jazz artists on tour. These days, Thorn prefers singing, leaving the piano to the instrumentalists. She has produced two CD’s.
She said being exposed to a wide variety of music helped her develop her own sound, which is known for distinctive phrasing, timing and intonation.
When asked who she sounds like, Thorne said, “Me!” Yet she can scat sing like Ella Fitzgerald and phrase in Portuguese and French.
Her love of music will shine through as she takes her audience on an entertaining tour through the standards with a few surprises mixed in.
Most “Music as Medicine” concerts are held the third Thursday of each month. The exceptions are December’s concert — which will be on the second Thursday (Dec. 11) — and June’s concert — will be on the first Thursday.
Patients, staff, students and family members are invited to bring lunch and enjoy the fabulous music.
Here is a schedule of performers for the 2008-2009 concert series:
- Oct. 16 — Susie Thorne & Friends, Jazz
- Nov. 20 — Omaha Chamber Music Society
- Dec. 11 — Burke High School Swing Choir
- Jan. 15 — Omaha Chamber Music Society
- Feb. 19 — Burke St. Boys (and girls), Jazz
- March 19 — Omaha Chamber Music Society
- April 16 — Riverside Anthology with Heidi Joy, Bluegrass/Americana
- May 21 — Omaha Chamber Music Society
- June 18 — Bel Canto Choir