Susie Burke
Instrument: Guitar, VoiceSession(s): August Week II
Instrument by Session(s): August Week II Guitar, August Week II Voice
Susie Burke has been singing and performing since the early 80s, as a soloist, and a member of several bands and duos, the longest running being with David Surette. Her musical tastes and influences are varied, encompassing contemporary and traditional folk, swing, country, topical songs, and acapella singing, with detours along the way for Broadway showtunes and classic ballads. “She posesses one of the finest, purest ballad voices heard in folk music today” wrote Scott Alarik in the Boston Globe, noting that “her phrasing is unerringly devoted to the lyric…Burke displays a gift for pulling honest emotional chords – all too rare in these clever and cynical times.”
A recipient of Individual Artist Fellowship awards from the NH State Council on the Arts, Susie has released released six recordings since 1990 on the Madrina Music label, to positive response from both critics and audiences. Her latest duo recording with David, titled Waiting for the Sun, was released in 2015.
Susie and David have a teaching studio near their home in South Berwick, Maine, where Susie teaches guitar and ukelele, and does vocal coaching. She has taught a singing class for four years which she calls, “Singing for the Joy Of It”.