Drums Etc. Magazine, December, 1999	Suzanne Morissette left Quebec for Los Angeles. She didn’t stop in Denver, she went right to the horse’s mouth. And she survived to tell the tale to the online magazine Cyber-Drum, to which Drums Etc is indebted for this transcript. Cyber-Drum met Suzanne at the Montreal Drumfest and was knocked out by her chops and versatility. Performing with the Jennifer York Quartet (watch for new CD), Suzanne breezed through traditional jazz and fusion numbers..... / She did it her way. When you are looking to make your move, whether it is to LA or to Toronto, remember that there is no formula. However, a theme runs through Suzanne’s story. It’s about discipline, education, and keeping the spirit of creativity alive. In the following interview by Cyber-Drum (http://www.cyberdrum.com/) there's not a lot of talk about Hollywood stardom, or cattle call auditions for stadium rock bands. Rather, Suzanne talk about making music with her peers. Again, for eliciting this candid discussion, special thanks go to Cyber-Drum’s David Callari.
Canadian Musician Magazine, June, 1993	Several Canadians have won awards at MI, including Brissette and one of his fellow students, drummer Suzanne Morissette. After completing her studies at MI in Fall ‘98, she chose to stay in L.A. began gigging with a Top-40 trio and got a first-hand look at the club scene. Given the fact there are literally thousands of bands trying to work the circuit, the ongoing experience has been eye-opening to say the least. Morissette who now drums in Big Planet, a trio fronted by an ex-Torontonian, says: “For original bands like ours, it's really tough to find gigs where you can make money. This city is unique that way..../ With big clubs like the Roxy and The Whiskey, you have to sell tickets, and if you don't sell out, you end up paying to play. This happens all over the city. We try and showcase a couple of times a month to keep up exposure , but it can get so frustrating trying to get attention.” But it's not all frustration. In fact she’s recently done some Latin percussion work for Mexican recording artist Elissa..../ she loves her present creative situation with Big Planet, saying: “We’re really playing for the love of music and we’re so together in our effort to make it work.”
Modern Drummer Magazine, February, 1999	INDUSTRY HAPPENINGS - 1998 MONTREAL DRUM FEST For the sixth straight year the Montreal Drum Fest took over the Pierre Mercure Hall of the University of Montreal for a weekend of stellar drumming. The sellout Festival ran from November 13 through 15, this year featuring an extra day (Friday the thiteenth, no less) of master classes led by Steve Houghton, Walfredo Reyes Sr. Joey Heredia, Rick Gratton, and Gary Chaffee. Ex-Montrealer Suzanne Morissette made a triumphant homecoming from LA. She brought along bassist Jennifer York, keyboardist Alexandra Caselli, and saxophonist Christine Jensen - and the ladies were brunin’.
L.A. Jazz Scene, October, 2001	THE SCENE - JENNIFER YORK QUARTET AT STEAMERS Steamers is in its eighth year as Orange County’s premium jazz club and owner, Terence Love, has booked some of the best jazz acts that there is to enjoy. Jazz bassist Jennifer York’s quartet is no exception to this standard. They appear regularly every month and are very entertaining and exciting to listen to and they have great showmanship on stage. Completing the quartet are Carol Chaikin, reeds, Alexandra Caselli, piano and drummer Suzanne Morissette. To visit Jennifer York's Quartet on the web, go to http://www.jenniferyork.com/. Steamers website is http://www.steamerscafe.com/ or phone 714-871-8800.

 

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