| On Monday August 5th, Susan Richardson lightened a windless day for yacht crews in Cowes Marina with a brilliant mini-concert to signal the recently-announced support for the Ventnor Jazz Divas Festival by Red Funnel - the leading IOW Ferry company. |
| Susan - a great vocalist and accomplished trumpet-player, was perfect for the laid-back atmosphere of the crowded marina. Sexy and vibrant, Sue captured the sun--down moment for the 1000 or so relaxing yachtsmen, ending her set with a self composed ditty about her first experience of sailing earlier in the day, 'Jives and Jibs'. |
| "Susan is brilliant. She is representative of the calibre of female vocalists who have entered the Marion Montgomery Award"; said Bob Cotton, one of the organisers, "Come and join us in September, and see and hear the rest. You won't be disappointed!" |
| Red Funnel launch concert at Cowes Yacht Haven |
| On the Monday of the world-famous Cowes Week Yachting Regatta, the singer and trumpet-player Susan Richardson presented a short concert celebrating the Red Funnel sponsorship for the Ventnor Jazz Divas Festival. Sue's style was perfectly suited to the busy Yacht Haven - the mecca for crews and owners alike at the end of a windless day when racing had been cancelled. Susan was supported by Neal Richardson, her husband, on piano, Leon Simmonds (bass) and Pete Durham (drums). Together they injected some great jazz into an evenings retro-pop entertainment. Red Funnel are racing at Cowes, and the crew welcomed Susan aboard for her first taste of sailing ever. Susan composed a special song for the event, in-filling hastily penned lyrics with some virtuoso scat singing. |
| Sue is typical of the young jazz vocalists who are entering the Marion Montgomery Awards. She will be singing in the finals in Ventnor this September - along with half-a-dozen other aspiring divas, |
| Jazz Divas Festival 2002 Press Release, August 2002. |