We are each given a gift that is innate to each and every one of us. Some respond to it early in life, know the gift and work with it. While others just don't quite understand it, or its power and simply spend a greater portion of their lives searching for it. Sadly, some of us never find it, and when we fail to listen to that voice we can go astray- as many of these gifts were given to us to fulfill a purpose.
Award winning star, Suzzanne Douglas acted and danced her way into my life in Tap a film released in 1989. She was my Ginger Rogers, and the late Gregory Hines was my Fred Astaire in this romantic/drama that warmed my heart, especially when I saw the late, iconic Sammy Davis Junior and young Savion Glover.
Douglas' talent jumped through the screen for me, yet, again when she starred in another of my favorite films The Inkwell opposite Joe Morton, and young Lorenzo Tate, Jada Pinkett-Smith, and Vanessa Bell Callaway in this drama, comedy, released in 1994.
While those are not the only films she has played in, she has more than a dozen films from Jason's Lyrics, How Stella Got Her Grove Back to name a few. The above mentions really endeared me to her. As you can't tell I am a stickler for a great story by the selected films she has starred in.
Wait until I tell you about her singing. Douglas sways into the room, and gracefully mounts the stage. Her fingers caress the microphone, bringing it to close to her mouth she softly begins to part her lips, and the sound that proceeds to get our attention is nothing less then magnificent.
Before beginning each session, Douglas story telling skills sounds as angelic as birds chirping in the early morning light. The audience begins to sway, snap, and softly cheer as though they have been hypnotized by both the combination of her wonderful band and her ballads along with some upbeat numbers that make you want to jump and dance. Each song pierced my very core. Not sure if it was the romantic tone of the evening or the beautiful surrounding in Feinsteins, or it could have very well been the edible delights of the cuisine that distracted me every now and then. But I know that I left there intoxicated with either the wonderful spirits from the bar, and feeling even more excited about love, being the romantic that I am. Her one night appearance was so well worth it as she sang, bop and swing from some of our favorite Broadway performances that just left us wanting more.
The hour session seemed to end far too quickly for my taste, I could have sat there some more. And even afterwards when we were invited to meet her, no one dared leave for fear that the chilling evening weather would erase the grandeur of the night.
I have often heard it said that many don't want to meet their most admired public figure regardless of industry; for fear they may disappointed them. This was not my case. I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs how much I love this woman. Suzzanne Douglas, is the definition of elegance, grace and funk with that avante gard hair do she credits to Brooklyn based artists Nu Ori Productions.
I could not keep the conversation to myself. So it is my absolute pleasure to share with you the gracefully talented Suzzanne Douglas.
In Her Own Words
Where were you born?
I was born in a loving, caring, creative home environment, that just happened to be in the projects of Chicago, Illinois, block nine of Altgeld Gardens. The Gardens was named for progressive democratic Governor John P Altgeld, an advocate for child labor laws and work place safety. I was raised by an amazing single mother, and she was my shero!
Suzzanne Douglas, your career has been nothing less than magnificent. While many know you for your great acting skills, why did you wait until now to bless us with your gift as a musician?
I have been working on my musicianship for some time now. Even waiting two years after graduation before really getting out there to present my music. School was about acquiring better musicianship.
I was tired of my ignorance surrounding music and thought it best to expand my musical knowledge. My time after graduate school was about living in the music that I had created. Music has helped to reveal more of who I am and my place in the world.
Now, just seemed to be the right time to present an aspect of myself that I had lost touch with.
As Parker would say “Now’s the Time.”
We live in a society that is still grasping onto the idea of women that can wear many hats- mother, daughter, wife, professional, entrepreneur, artists, activist, leader etc.. How has it been juggling your career and your over 25-year marriage and raising a family?
Having an amazing support system at home has allowed me to juggle the roles of artist, activist, wife, mother, sister and friend. The industry can be challenging for women of a certain age. For many years the focus has been on youth and beauty and celebrity rather that skill, craft and ability. We are now seeing a shift in that ideology as more women assume leadership roles with decision making capabilities.
With the current state of news with the challenges that women are facing in the entertainment world, work world... how have you found solace and balance in your work, family, and spiritual life... what do you do?
Women must create their own place in the world. We must not only shape our destiny, but raise up the next generation of artist-activists who will shape the world’s view of themselves. We must tell our stories so that others may tell theirs. I believe I have found a kind of solace in my work through composing.
Taking time each week to write with my writing partner, Can Olgun has allowed me to set goals towards finding new ways of self-expression. And writing helps me tell my truth and my story.
As far as your career; what have been some of the challenges you have had to face that may be unspoken?
There are always challenges in any field of endeavor. But in the entertainment industry, being a woman of color and of a certain age can have its challenges. I once had a studio executive say I was too black for a role and that white men wouldn't find me attractive. I had an agent once say that my hair was too black. I guess my black skin wasn’t the determinate for him. There are and will always be ignorant people. But their ignorance falls under the category of their problem.
Being black is not an issue for me it seems to be an issue for others. In fact, the industries issues surrounding race, gender and age tells me more about certain individuals than it does about me.
But if I were to allow the naysayers negative beliefs to define who I am I would have never succeeded in life. The actions of others tell me more about them than about me.
Paul Gemanani, a wonderful conductor once told me, “when you are talented you never have to work for an A....hole! This was some of the best advice ever given to me. The ignorance and bigotry of certain people just serves as a red flag. It let’s me know who I don’t want to work with and I don’t want to become.
That being said, I must say that as I have aged I have had the opportunity to perform the most amazing roles. Roles traditionally not played by women of color. Dr Bearing in Wit, The Marquis in Dangerous Liaisons and now Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street.
In each of these instances there was a woman or a gay man who saw all of who I am and not just the color of my skin.
On the topic of image, you mentioned re-branding, what do you mean by re-branding yourself?
Re-branding or re-inventing one’s image is transformative. There is growth in transformation. Growth that requires perseverance, trust, belief and hard work in one’s self and those we choose to learn from and later serve.
Transformation is an ongoing journey towards truth, a journey not taken alone. That's why I was drawn to jazz it's about telling your truth. In creating a character for the stage or film we are telling the characters truth using our creative tools and intelligence.
In jazz we are telling our own stories, particularly when we write those stories we sing. Being seen only as an actor can be limiting.
We don't see the totality of the person if we see only one aspect of that person. None of us is just bright or just sad. We are a conglomeration of thoughts, feelings and beliefs. Just as seeing a person as black doesn't tell you who that individual is, we are only seeing an aspect of their blackness.
Don't quote me but I think it was the great Chicago poet Gwendolyn Brooks who wrote, "There's more to being black than meets the eye.”
So seeing the totality of any individual should inspire others to seek to the higher truths in themselves.
So I chose to obtain a degree in music in order to include singer/ songwriter to my skill set is so that I might grow myself up and expand my knowledge. Only then am I better able to share and serve others.
Branding is an interesting topic for me. Why did you feel you had to re-brand yourself?
I felt that audiences needed to know that we should not be limited to our perceptions of one other. That given the opportunity we all can become better people. The better we are the better our world.
Better artists/advocates create a better world through the arts. Transformation should affect those around us.
What encouragement do you have to share with people who are tired and beaten down by society’s expectation of them?
I would encourage those who feel underrepresented in life to be as proactive as possible. I would encourage those who feel marginalized to live their lives as an action, not as a reaction. I would encourage them to create a network of like believers. I would encourage them to have a sense of purpose behind every decision they make. I would encourage them to seek truth and knowledge wherever it lives.
How have the arts helped you, because it definitely has helped us by seeing your gifts?
The arts help me see the world through a multi-faceted lens. This lens allows me to capture slices of humanity that can then be revealed through the work and to the world.
What current productions do you have coming up?
Presently, I am appearing as Dorothy Brock in the Drury Lane production of 42nd Street in Chicago. We will be running through the first of the year.
You can also check out my website: suzzannedouglasmusic.com for upcoming music dates.