In this episode:Listen to a conversation between your host Vivienne Aerts and Amsterdam based saxophone player, DJ and producer Susanne Alt, as they discuss the recording of her New York album 'Royalty for Real' and her work as board member of several Jazz associations
About Susanne Alt
Susanne Alt is a saxophone player, dj and producer, based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
She has been leading her own jazz band and playing alongside dj's since 1999. In 2015, Alt was asked by a booker if she's also dj'ing and as a joke she said "yes". To her dismay she discovered that this answer had consequences, she just got her first booking as a dj! Quickly she had to catch up and prepare a set.
One thing lead to another, her soulful deep and funky sound immediately got picked up within the Amsterdam nightlife. Performing live sets as a unique saxophonist-dj lead to an unexpected expansion of Alt's career and also her dj-only sets (without sax) are in high demand.
Developing these new skills also lead to her new band "Venus Tunes Live", an all-female dj/live act: One vocalist, one percussionist and one saxophonist, all dj'ing and performing originals in the mix with other hot tracks.
As a saxophone player deeply rooted in jazz, funk and soul, Alt is embracing the multiple musical possibilities of a dj/producer, stretching out into electronic music, especially everything that's soulful, funky and deep.
In 1978, Alt is born in Würzburg, Germany. Both parents are musicians and music teachers.
At the age of 18, after classical saxophone studies at Meistersinger-Konservatorium Nuremberg (1993-1996) and winning a Siemens young talent talent prize (1996), she leaves Germany to study jazz saxophone in the Netherlands at Hilversums Conservatorium/Conservatorium van Amsterdam (1996-2000). She continues her studies at Universität der Künste Berlin (2000-2003) and graduates cum laude.
In 2004 she debutes as a producer with her 2004 release Nocturne on her own record label Venus Tunes.
Releases include several jazz albums and funk album Saxify (2016) which she describes as her masterpiece up to now. Throughout 2016-2018 dance remixes of Saxify are released, ready to be played by Venus Tunes Live and as a dj.
Since 2018, Alt has been focusing on her label, producing, her monthly guest mix on radio Freak31 and continuing to perform live as dj and saxophonist.
Collaborations, live and in the studio, include Fred Wesley, DJ Spinna, Opolopo, Johan S, Hardsoul, DJ Maestro, Wicked Jazz Sounds and many more.
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About ViviTalks - Interviews with the Women Behind Typuhthâng.Introducing ViviTalks, a podcast hosted by Dutch New York-based musician Vivienne Aerts. Join us as we celebrate 100 talented female musicians from Vivienne's latest album "Typuhthâng," with a mission to empower female cacao farmers in the Virunga State Park of Congo and contribute to rainforest restoration. We delve into the musical journeys, creative processes, and unique perspectives of these talented women, seeking to bring greater balance to the music industry. It's a safe space for honest and authentic conversations with artists and trailblazers. Let's amplify the voices of remarkable women in music and stay tuned for inspiring stories and meaningful dialogues on ViviTalks.
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