Susanne Alt
saxophone, ccomposer, dj
After years of performing over a hundred shows annually as both a saxophonist and DJ, Amsterdam based Susanne Alt found her schedule suddenly empty during the COVID-19 pandemic. This presented a perfect opportunity to revisit her first love: jazz. Dedicated to trumpet icon Roy Hargrove and featuring an all-star lineup of the New York scene, ‘Royalty For Real’ has been released in February 2024 on Venus Tunes and received very good reviews. Alt was first introduced to the music of Joshua Redman, Kenny Garrett, and Roy Hargrove at the age of 15, with the latter standing out as a profound influence on her musicality. Years later, Alt found herself running into Hargrove at late-night jam sessions after festival appearances in Germany, the Netherlands and the US, and the two played together frequently. Hargrove’s passing in 2018 came as a tremendous shock to Alt, and she felt moved to compose a series of pieces in homage to the trumpeter’s legacy, and the memories they shared. Bringing together soul, blues, funk, and nods to the bop tradition, ‘Royalty for Real’ is an effortless, modern, and soulful exploration of groove, melody, and improvisation. Recorded at EastSide Sound in NYC, the warm, organic production presents the band in a raw, intimate fashion, giving the listener a front seat to the exchange of energy and ideas between the experienced quartet.
Then there is the other band: “Venus Tunes Live”: Starting in 2015, Alt increasingly performed independently as a DJ, gaining popularity for her soulful, deep and funky sound. Her experience in dance music inspired the creation of “Venus Tunes Live,” an all-female live formation with musicians who are also DJs; perfect as a festival closing act. Festival directors realized that inclusiveness would create a better revenue. This gave Venus Tunes Live a true kickstart!
- Looking for connections with bookers and audiences who can connect to our music!