Multi-instrumentalist and vocalist from Pisa, Italy, who was already well-traveled by the time she learned out to play the piano at seven years of age. Her father was in the military and thus she moved around a lot and learned the keys during a stint in Taipei, Taiwan. She added guitar and violin to her repertoire while at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. The family relocated to The Sunshine State and Soozie attended the University of South Florida, where she studied music theory.
Then she moved to The Big Apple and busked on the streets of New York. During this time, she co-founded a trio entitled Trickster with Lisa Lowell and Patti Scialfa. In 1980, she appeared on the album, Love is a Sacrifice, by Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. She formed another band, Soozie and High in the Saddle, and they played country and western music.
Soozie switched genres again in the 1980s, becoming a fixture in Buster Poindexter’s band, appearing on a half dozen of his albums, including his eponymous debut, which included “Hot-Hot-Hot” which was a hit-hit-hit. They also toured quite a bit and worked on a musical entitled Poet’s Café and continue to enjoy a creative partnership to this day.
In 1988, she made a brief foray into acting, appearing as Doreen in The Big Blue. It was not her only contribution to film: She also sang on the soundtrack of the Michael Keaton comedy, The Dream Team. Soozie has also dotted the small screen with appearances on The 45th Annual Grammy Awards, Great Performances, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and Saturday Night Live.
In 1992, Bruce Springsteen tapped her for background vocal duties on Lucky Town, one of his first albums without the E Street Band. Ever since, Soozie has become a staple on The Boss’s albums, including Devils & Dust, The Ghost of Tom Joad, Magic, The Rising, We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions, and Working on a Dream.
On 8th April 2003, she launched her solo career, releasing White Lines on the Treasure label. Soozie multi-tasks big-time on this album, as guitarist, pianist, singer-songwriter, and violinist. She has continued to tour with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band throughout the new millennium.
Other albums featuring this multi-talented artist include Patty Blee’s Disguise and Shawn Colvin’s Steady On.
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