Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
"McDermott possesses one of the most assured and mellifluous female voices on the contemporary folk scene. She's also penned some of the most remarkable songs of the past 50 years, ranks in the first echelon of songwriters and is not timid about infusing her poetry with strong messages." - Rich Warren
We could all do well to study the human condition the way Suzanne McDermott does - with a critic's eye and a poet's heart. With a voice as clear as Sunday bells and a wry wit fit for a late-night coffee cabaret, Suzanne McDermott tells it straight, neither sacrificing art for truth, nor substituting beauty for passion. More than a pretty collection of songs, The Glory challenges and enlightens. - Marilyn Rea Beyer, Music Director
"Suzanne McDermott shines on her new CD, "The Glory". Her crystalline voice reminds me of Judy Collins, and her eye for detail and turns of phrase tell vivid, compelling stories. Intriguing, beautiful work, and highly recommended." - Susanne Millsaps, Breakfast Jam
"Rare, beautiful, original and intelligent songs." - Theo de Jong
Discography
The Glory
Ephemera
Souvenir
Out Under The Sky
The Roswell Incident
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Suzanne McDermott sings and writes out of what appears to be an endless source of wisdom, clarity, and innate musicianship, offering us a collection of songs that are as intelligent and thought provoking as they are beautiful. Blessed with a lush, clear voice and a very real sense of humor, Suzanne creates an instant rapport with her audience. McDermott's performances are refreshingly honest, funny, engaging, and cathartic.
"Our "Folkstage" guest was Suzanne McDermott who gave a smashing two-hour concert. I believe she ranks among the best songwriters of the past 50 years. She's also a first-rate singer and guitarist. I usually judge an artist's abilities by the audience reaction, and the audience went absolutely nuts
for her. No one wanted to leave at the end. She had to ask them to temper their applause so she could fit the set she planned into the broadcast. She was utterly professional and a pleasure to present as well."
Rich Warren, Host/producer WFMT's "Midnight Special" & "Folkstage"
CRS/Rounder Europe released McDermott’s new CD The Glory in January 2003. Suzanne’s earlier releases include Ephemera "an album filled with rare, beautiful, original and intelligent songs" (Theo de Jong of Strictly Country), Out Under the Sky, a review & history of the Christmas Carol (featured on NPR), and The Roswell Incident. Suzanne’s debut album Souvenir was named one of Performing Songwriter magazine's 1995 "Top D.I.Y." selections and "Best Singer Songwriter CD of 1995" by WFMT "Midnight
Special", Chicago's longest-running acoustic music radio program.
The city of Roswell, New Mexico invited Suzanne to perform her song "The Roswell Incident" for their 50th anniversary celebrations of the legendary crash. The song is featured over end credits for the independent mockumentary film "Six Days in Roswell".
Suzanne has performed throughout the U.S. & Europe in concert halls, clubs, libraries, historic hotels, restaurants, schools and senior communities. She has shared the stage with Gore Vidal, Dory Previn, Bert Jansch, Roger McGuinn, Bill Morrissey, John Gorka, Cheryl Wheeler, Livingston Taylor, Tom Paxton, Laurie Lewis, Dar Williams, Martin Sexton, performed in such venues as Passim, Siné, CB's Gallery, Godfrey Daniels, The Point, Eddie's Attic, The Bluebird, McCabe's and The Freight & Salvage and frequently tours Europe. Suzanne was a finalist in the prestigious troubadour competition at the 25th Telluride Bluegrass Festival.
Born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, Suzanne McDermott gave her first public performance at the age of fifteen in the legendary club The Main Point. Along with her own creative and performance work, Suzanne has worked in theater, classical music publishing, international chamber music festivals, world and experimental music, as secretary to Sarah Vaughan and served as US delegate to the People’s Republic of the Congo. Suzanne holds a degree in Drama, Art & Music, is a playwright and an accomplished painter.
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