Cecilia Suhr is a musician, educator and cultural critic who not only performs music in and around NYC in venues such as Javitz Center, Central Park Boat House, Private Artist Gallery in Soho, Galapagos, CBGBs, The Lucky Cats and etc. but also writes for art and cultural magazines such as the art section or other academic journals in the areas of aesthetic and new media, music and art performances, media and culture. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Rutgers University and also a lecturer at Pace University and Rutgers University. While combining both the rigorous academic training and free improvisational practices of music making, Cecilia Suhr aims to walk the path as not just an academic, or a musician but one that practices both to enrich her aesthetic practices of life. Cecilia Suhr’s musical styles are not easy to categorize or pinpoint as she also aims both the genres of improvisational music and also singer-songwriter. When she improvises, she typically improvises on piano, violin, guitar, electronic soundbank and operative/head voice by interlacing one another whereas when she writes a structured song, the songs invoke all types of moods ranging from melancholia to sheer fun and joy to resistant aggravation.
When Cecilia Suhr plays with the band, her intention is to introduce two different acts in one show: In the first set, she sings her songs that are in the realm of pop/rock/soul/blues. She often plays with a cellist, or the full band consists of Drummer, Bass Player and the Cellist. The second set usually consists of classical instrumental, mostly improvisational, experimental. The second act has somewhat surprising elements and challenges the audience with sound that negates the structural musical patterns. Yet, it may also consist of classical standard songs and music.
The aim of this divide is to juxtapose different genres of music and to bridge the gap in between. The aim of this artistry is non-categorization of her identity as an artist. It is to walk away, repose from the rational, judgmental, analytical parts of our mind.
Mixed messages are usually disturbing to the human mind for our minds have penchant towards “figuring” things out and place them according to societal expectations, norms and stereotypes.
People are predisposed to situate themselves in either or, classy vs. non-classy, pop vs. classical, mainstream vs. non mainstream types without allowing or exploring the areas in between or finding a new meaning as one explores both the extreme oppositional. Hence, her artistry deactivates the realm of mind and provokes and evokes different senses and spheres of one’s being to experience music.
