Susan "Sooz" Thomas


Vocalist and Bandleader, Susan "Sooz" Thomas, has had a passion for swing music and classic American Songbook tunes since her early adolescent years. In the mix of her parents’ frequent dance parties, she listened and danced to the swing of the "Big Band" era and vocal greats like Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Sarah Vaughan. It was then that the seed was planted in this future performing artist.

A Contralto with range that extends to Mezzo-soprano, Sooz’s voice is warm in timbre with textures from smooth to feather soft to bold. She’s a true "Song Stylist," who's known for her keen sense of phrasing and for her ability to communicate lyrical content with clarity and with deep feeling.

Susan has over a decade of professional performing experience. She sang during the ‘80’s and ‘90’s in various music formats (Pop, R & B and Soft Rock) at better hotels and restaurants in the Atlanta area. Then, after spending a number of years working in the corporate world, Sooz chose to return to performing-- to sing the classic tunes hovering in her heart since her adolescence. She entered the world of popular American Jazz.

Since 2001, Sooz has appeared on stage again on a regular basis, as a Solo Artist or with her own Jazz Trio, Quartet or larger Combo. These performances have been given at a variety of upscale public venues, private functions, and numerous benefits. She also appeared in the *2002 Atlanta Jazz Festival* lineup.

In the fall of 2004, Sooz released her first album: a collection of favored tunes from The Great American Songbook, titled "Always Time To Love." The album, which features The Sooz Thomas Trio plus drums, had play on Atlanta-based JAZZ 91.9 FM WCLK radio before it was even officially released.

Some of Atlanta’s finest Jazz musicians provide the instrumental backdrop for Sooz Thomas’ vocals. In "The Sooz Thomas Trio," Sooz couples her vocals with pianist Chuck Mandt and string bassist Nick Pennington. This Trio (Sooz' core musical team) has a reputation as a tight-knit combo of superb musicians. There is a playful sense of fun and musical adventure as they perform together. Most important, they really do "got that swing!"

Wherever she appears, Sooz Thomas always touches her audience -- often literally! Whenever staging permits, she's known to move about with her wireless microphone and sing up-close and intimately to her listeners. Sooz' unique combination of exceptional lyric delivery, a spirit moved to swing, and a heart bound to joy and compassion propels this gifted vocal artist straight into the hearts of her audience.



*PUBLIC APPEARANCES (Partial Listing)*

2001 to Present:

  • The Grape at Vinings Jubilee (Vinings)
  • The Grape at Phipps Plaza (Buckhead)
  • The Grape at The Forum (Norcross)
  • The Grape at City Walk (Sandy Springs)
  • Libby's Cabaret (Atlanta) 
  • Trackside Grill (Historic Kennesaw)
  • Tulley’s (Midtown Atlanta)
  • Queen of Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant (Atlanta)
  • Café Espresso at Borders (East Cobb, Kennesaw & Austell)
  • The Ramada Plaza Hotel ~ Club Cabaret Shows (Atlanta)

Sooz has also sung as Guest Artist at local Atlanta Jazz venues, such as:

  • The Ritz Carlton (with The Jerry Lambert Trio)
  • Churchill Grounds (with Guitarist Jerry Byrd of the Freddy Cole Band)
  • Cino Grille at The Avenue (with The Bernard Linette Trio)
  • Ray’s On The River (with The Tony Winston Trio).

Sooz appeared in the * 2002 Atlanta Jazz Festival * lineup.

Early 1980's through the early 1990's:

  • The Lenox Inn (Buckhead)
  • The Terrace Garden Inn (Buckhead)
  • The Ramada Capital Plaza (Atlanta)
  • The Holiday Inn (Rome)
  • The Sheraton Century Center (Atlanta)
  • Marriott Hotel / Mercedes Lounge (Atlanta)
  • Reynold's Plantation (Greensboro)