The Broadway Grill Restaurant | Bar and Grill | Burlingame, CA

Sue Crosman

Solo Pianist

Sue Crosman is a full time freelance pianist and piano teacher in the bay area.

When did you first start playing an instrument? - 2 years of flute in grade school, I started piano at 24 years old.

Who/what were your first influences? - Les McCann and Eddie Harris, "The Swiss Movement." I heard them for the first time at 17, and actually jazz for the first time, too. I couldn't believe what a hip music style jazz was!

How did you get your experience? - My living room with Jamie Abersold records, then top 40 bands, then big bands...finally smaller groups through jam sessions. I'm pretty much self taught, very few lessons.

What instruments do you play? - piano

What instruments do you own? - piano and keyboards

Do you compose? - a little, want to do more

What is your fondest gig memory? - Several, it's hard to say. But it happens when audiences are really into the music, and the group is really grooving together.

What was your worst gig from hell? - 2 of them...one New Years Eve where we were treated in an abusive manner by the client, but got paid $2000 a piece so we had to deal with it. The other was a live TV show where I got insane stage fright and almost blew it playing a duo with a star. It was too early in my career to do that!

What do you listen to now? - Still mostly jazz, not as much as I use to though. Playing for a living sometimes makes me want to do other things on off times. But I listen to all artists, no one in particular anymore.