Suzy Eises talks learning and London

Practically synonymous with the word ‘saxophone’ and riding high after an award-winning year that saw her perform in Texas, Tanzania and South Africa, Suzy Eises’ next stop is London.

Having recently left Namibia to embark on a self-styled study break, the acclaimed Namibian saxophonist will be taking saxophone lessons and classes in the UK for the first half of the year, effectively pausing an international performance career that was rapidly gaining momentum.

“It is my hope and desire to become one of the greatest musicians to come out of Africa and with that comes great sacrifices to keep training, learning and working hard to become the best I can be as a saxophonist,” says Eises.

“I want to be world-class, so education is at the forefront of everything I want to do right now. I have many opportunities and I want to master my instrument as best as I can so I can continue to have opportunities all over the world. I will always be learning no matter how high I climb in my success.”

Eager to grow academically and technically despite her achievements thus far, Eises, who has lived in Cape Town, Idaho and London, has chosen to return to the latter because she loves the city.

“I lived in England 10 years ago and loved the experience, I love the culture here and London will always play a special role in my life,” she says, adding that Cape Town (2004 to 2008) is where she learnt to play the sax while expanding her jazz vocabulary, London (2009 to 2010) is the city in which she earned her live performance stripes and Idaho (2012 to 2015) taught her to stand out.

“I studied music for two years at Brigham Young University Idaho,” she says.

“I was able to learn more about music at a higher level. Being in the US taught me how much I wanted to share my style of music – African jazz – since it is not so popular there. I knew in the US that I wanted to perform and create music that is a part of who I am, music that would make me unique.”

Remarking that travel and immersion in different places affords artists the opportunity to learn from diverse teachers and institutions, Eises humbly expresses thanks to all those who are assisting in making her dreams come true.

“I am so thankful and grateful to all the sponsors, companies, individuals, supporters and fans who have supported me in reaching my dreams. One of the reasons I am able to be here in London is through the generous support of everyone who has been involved with all my events throughout 2018,” she says.

“Personally and musically, I would like to continue being confident in my unique place in this world. I want to focus on my studies for the next few years so that I may become the best in my world.”

Keep up with Eises on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook via@suzyeises.

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