Sue Matsuki: A Bio
Hi, I’m Sue Matsuki. No, I am not Japanese. I come to my name through my Japanese husband. I took his name when we married because it was a "trade up" name. You see, my maiden name was Trosell, which made me "Suetrosell" which, to me, always sounded like an antacid. At least "Susiematsuki" makes me sound like an Asian Porno Star. I am actually of Swedish and French descent which means nothing really except that I’m a big chested, great kisser!
I grew up in Waterbury, CT, the town with the huge, illuminated cross on the hill off of Route 84! I have 7 brothers, no sisters, so I was the "featured" child which, I’m sure led me to becoming a performer. The first time I was on stage was at age 6, I was supposed to sing "The Boy I Love" but, to my mother's horror, I innocently belted out Ella Fitzgerald's version of "Love For Sale" [my babysitter exposed me to Ella at a very early age]...I was crowned Little Miss Hamilton Park. Since there has never been another Little Miss Hamilton Park Contest, I am still the reigning Little Miss Hamilton Park! I did a lot of community theatre and dance recitals growing up and produced many a talent show in my two car garage! In 1976, I reigned as Miss Waterbury (I liked crowns!), but I only reigned for 2 months, fulfilling my obligation as 1st Runner Up. I also won Miss Congeniality and the Talent Award for dancing the death scene from Swan Lake. I then heard the call only the highly flammable, polyester clad could hear, " HOOT HOOT" and became part of a Salsa/Hustle dance partnership called Sue & Lou.
In New York, I have appeared in productions of Oklahoma, Bye, Bye Birdie, A Christmas Carol, Out of the Frying Pan, Agnes of God, West Side Story and They’re Playing Our Song. I also choreographed most of the above along with Guys n’ Dolls and with the exception of Agnes of God because well, nuns don’t dance...at least they didn’t until Nunsense hit town!
I also work at the Metropolitan Opera and have been featured in performances of Moses und Aaron; Tristan und Isolde, Il Trovatore and as a druid princess (no crown...*&%$!) in Norma. I was seen on PBS in Tristan und Isolde [I was the chick screaming in the tower in Act II] and, I was invited to appear and sing in a special benefit performance of After the Ball by Noël Coward [starring the late Irene Worth] with several members of the Met chorus. I played Mrs. Stutfield.
I have played legendary jazz clubs: The Village Gate, Birdland, The Iridium, Sweet Rhythm; and Cabarets: The Metropolitan Room, The Laurie Beechman, Town Hall, Arci’s Place, Don’t Tell Mama, 88’s, Judy’s, Danny’s, Jan Wallman’s, The Duplex, The Triad, Caroline’s Comedy Club, Helen’s Hideaway Room and Broadway Baby in New York; The Cosmopolitan Room and Odette’s in New Hope, PA; The Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival in Alaska; The Gardenia Room in Los Angeles; The Standing Room Only Cabaret in Hartford, CT; The Hackensack Cultural Arts Center, Voices for Charity, Trumpets, Le Dome at The Manor and Tim McLoone’s Supper Club in NJ; The Rockland Cultural Arts Center & Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway Series in Nyack & Town Hall in Terrytown, NY; the CabaretFest in Provincetown, MA; Boothsbay Harbor Opera House in Maine and The Four Seasons in Las Vegas, NV. I was named a “Best of Connecticut” by The Connecticut Magazine and, as such, did a benefit for the March of Dimes sponsored by the magazine in the Foxwood’s Casino room.
My first jazz CD, A NEW TAKE, was nominated for the 2002 MAC Award for Best Female Recording and has been receiving air play across the country and internationally and was recently voted one of the Top 10 Best CDs by Stu Hamstra of www.CabaretHotlineOnLine.com. It presents a new take on old jazz standards and contemporary songs gone jazz! Appearing with me on the CD is my Musical Director/Arranger, Gregory Toroian on piano, Ned Mann on bass, Ronald Tierno on drums/percussion, Chris Hajian on trumpet and special guests, Bob Kindred on tenor sax and Gene Bertoncini on guitar. My Christmas CD, Sue & Edd’s FABULOUS Christmas, with Edd Clark was released November 2007 and features Paul Stephan on piano, Tom Hubbard on bass, Brian Fishler on percussion and Brian Taylor on flute.
I am also WAY FUNNY...ask anyone!
Contact:
(718) 383-4737 or suematsuki@nyc.rr.com
