Oral History of Leah Suárez, interviewed by Riley K. Franks, Dennis R. Joyner and Jonathan J. Taylor, 6 April, 2017

Oral History of Leah Suárez, interviewed by Riley K. Franks, Dennis R. Joyner and Jonathan J. Taylor, 6 April, 2017

Musician and art entrepreneur Leah Suárez was born on August 12, 1981, in Greenwood, South Carolina. She grew up in Charleston with her parents and three brothers and her childhood activities revolved around soccer and music. As far as early musical experiences go, she remembers singing with her mother to the mixed tapes her brother created for her. Suárez's formal musical training started in middle school when she joined the school band and learned to play the euphonium. She received a scholarship to study that instrument at George Mason University College but she dropped out due to health problems. She returned to South Carolina and enrolled at the College of Charleston, where she focused on vocals. At the age of twenty-four, she participated in the Copenhagen Jazz Festival and lived in Europe for six months. Back in Charleston, with the support of her mentor and friend, Jack McCray, she co-founded Jazz Artists of Charleston (JAC), becoming the organization's Executive Director and the co-producer of the Charleston Jazz Orchestra. In the interview, Suárez talks about her life experiences and how the issues affecting her community shaped her voice and art. She reflects about the challenges and rewards of being a musician entrepreneur in Charleston, her work with other Charleston musicians, and the importance of re-connecting with her Latino roots.

Working Charleston

The Citadel Archives & Museum

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application/pdf

English

Text

https://citadeldigitalarchives.omeka.net/items/show/618

Charleston (S.C.)

1 hour, 9 minutes

Riley K. Franks

Dennis R. Joyner

Jonathan J. Taylor

Leah Suárez

Charleston, South Carolina