All About Jazz Articles Suzanne Grzanna | Jazz Saxophone, alto – Biography, Albums & More | All About Jazz
Suzanne Grzanna

Suzanne Grzanna

Musicians | Instrument: Saxophone, alto | Location: Milwaukee

Cat’s Meow XO steps into a dim velvet-lit jazz lounge at midnight, where every note curls through the air like cigarette smoke and every melody carries a story. Suzanne’s voice arrives smooth as silk, rich and creamy with an old-school charm that instantly pulls you in.

—Illustrate Magazine

Orbit | Updated: August 5, 2026

Suzanne Grzanna, professionally known as Sax Diva®, is a multi-award-winning recording artist, vocalist, alto saxophonist, songwriter, arranger, producer, music publisher, entrepreneur, and multiple #1 iTunes Jazz Charting artist. With thirteen albums and hundreds of recordings released through her independent label, Diva Records LLC, Suzanne has built an international reputation for her expressive alto saxophone, captivating vocals, and sophisticated songwriting. Her music has been featured in film, television, and radio worldwide, and she continues to inspire audiences through live performances, recordings, and artistic collaborations.

Born and raised near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Suzanne grew up in a family of professional musicians. She began piano lessons with her mother, Maureen Grzanna, at the age of five before making the alto saxophone her primary instrument in seventh grade. While the saxophone became her signature instrument, her voice has become an equally important part of her artistry, allowing her to perform as both an accomplished jazz vocalist and instrumentalist. Suzanne also performed with the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus and earned her music degree from Carroll University after attending Wisconsin Lutheran College, where she performed with the jazz band, symphony orchestra, and a contemporary Christian band before forming her own jazz quartet.

Today, Suzanne's career is truly bi-coastal, with professional ties spanning Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Miami, and her hometown of Milwaukee. She is widely respected as an independent recording artist who regularly collaborates with musicians, producers, filmmakers, and composers across jazz, pop, dance, Latin, film, and children's music.

Among her most celebrated projects is the critically acclaimed Cat's Meow XO, released in Dolby Atmos and Spatial Audio. Showcasing Suzanne's artistry as both a vocalist and saxophonist, the album blends contemporary jazz, swing, Latin influences, and elegant production into a fresh, modern sound. The project received widespread recognition and earned 2026 nominations from both the Hollywood Independent Music Awards and the InterContinental Music Awards, further establishing Suzanne as one of today's leading independent jazz recording artists.

Suzanne continues to expand her award-winning catalog with original music that connects with audiences worldwide. Her latest contemporary jazz single, Sunset Dreams, was released on July 3, 2026, premiered during performances at Summerfest, the world's largest music festival and reached #1 on the iTunes Chart. The achievement marked another milestone in Suzanne's career as a chart-topping recording artist. Her growing catalog of successful singles also includes Midnight Blue, which reached #1 on the iTunes Jazz Chart, Snow City XO, Deck the Halls in a Minor Mood, Wedding Day, Spring Waltz (Live) featuring Alex Otey, Autumn Leaves with Julyo, and Following Your Voice Inside with Billboard-charting artist Kim Cameron.

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115

Album Review

Suzanne Grzanna: Fly Me to the Moon

Read "Fly Me to the Moon" reviewed by Jack Bowers


According to the sleeve notes on Fly Me to the Moon, Milwaukee--based Suzanne Grzanna has a growing list of admirers. Wish I could count myself among them, but she'll have to produce something far more persuasive than this before that happens. Grzanna doubles on vocals and alto sax, and needs a lot of work in both areas. On this recording she's easily outdistanced by her sidemen, especially pianist Hazeltine. Grzanna sings on half a dozen selections, uncloaking a quavering, little--girl ...

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Articles Across the Web

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In! Magazine reviews "Sunset Dreams" The incredibly talented Suzanne Grzanna has just released a jazz track that transports us straight to a sophisticated, calm, and magical setting where we can savor every sound and appreciate high-quality music. This s


The Musical Road reviews "Sunset Dreams" "At the heart of the track is Grzanna’s saxophone performance. Her tone is both powerful and graceful, effortlessly shifting between expressive phrasing and spirited improvisation. She doesn’t just play the melody


Plastic Magazine reviews "Sunset Dreams" “It is, however, Suzanne Grzanna’s performance that defines the recording, as her saxophone voice moves gracefully between memorable melodic statements and stunning improvisation, delivering moments of elegance, p


Indie Dock Music Blog reviews "Sunset Dreams" "Grzanna's own saxophone playing is where the record earns its glamour. She phrases with the confidence of someone who has spent decades learning exactly how long to hold a note before the silence starts doing


Dulaxi News Reviews "Sunset Dreams" "Sunset Dreams Is A Gracefully Crafted Contemporary Jazz Escape, Blending Samba Rhythms, Expressive Musicianship, Cinematic Atmosphere, And Timeless Optimism Into A Truly Radiant Listening Experience"


Muse Chronicle reviews "Sunset Dreams" “Suzanne Grzanna “Sunset Dreams” turns every saxophone note into a Golden Escape” “Suzanne Grzanna’s saxophone turns ‘Sunset Dreams’ into a melody that feels as calming as the sunset itself.” “Sunset Dreams’ carrie


Zillons Magazine reviews "Sunset Dreams" The heart of the composition, emotionally, is Grzanna’s saxophone playing, which balances elegance and strength with astonishing ease. Her expressive phrasing and dynamic improvisation give personality to every pa


Illustrate Magazine reviews “Cat's Meow XO” Suzanne Grzanna’s Cat’s Meow XO steps into a dim velvet-lit jazz lounge at midnight, where every note curls through the air like cigarette smoke and every melody carries a story. The award-winning saxophonist,


Indie Music Flix reviews "Cat's Mewo XO" "Suzanne's excellent soft, velvety vocals takes us through that old-school charm of New York, a place of endless possibilites and infectious character. It's an easy going track, filled with warmth and class, setti


Dulaxi News reviews "Cat's Meow XO" "Blending the timeless sophistication of classic jazz with the relaxed elegance of Bossa Nova and the rhythmic energy of Swing, the album presents a sound that is both rooted in tradition and refreshingly contemporary.


Indie Dock Music Blog reviews "Cat's Meow XO" “Grzanna's saxophone curls around the room like cigarette smoke at a late-night club you wish still existed. ““When she sings, the saxophone rests patiently. When the saxophone speaks, the vocal seems to brea


Songweb reviews "Cat's Meow XO" “Cat’s Meow XO” is a smooth, stylish, and alive jazz album. It moves with hypnotic piano keys, lively musical colors, and a strong mood. The sound is elegant yet playful. Suzanne doesn’t just sing these songs; she shapes t


61
Music Industry

Suzanne Grzanna Graces the Cover of Volume 6 of the World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment

Suzanne Grzanna Graces the Cover of Volume 6 of the World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment

Source: All About Jazz

The Federation of American Musicians, Singers and Performing Artists (FAMSPA) announced this week that Suzanne Grzanna will grace the cover of volume 6 of the World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music and Entertainment. The title of this new volume is: Entertainment Greats From the 1800's to the Present: Cinema, Music, Divas, Legends. It is authored by Maximillien de Lafayette who has to his credits 114 books, 3 encyclopedias and several world premiere musicals. One of his plays was produced ...

Dulaxi News Reviews "Sunset Dreams"

"Sunset Dreams Is A Gracefully Crafted Contemporary Jazz Escape, Blending Samba Rhythms, Expressive Musicianship, Cinematic Atmosphere, And Timeless Optimism Into A Truly Radiant Listening Experience" ~ Faithfulness (Dulaxi Team)

https://dulaxi.com/suzanne-grzanna-sunset-dreams-review/

 

Indie Dock Music Blog reviews "Sunset Dreams"

"Grzanna's own saxophone playing is where the record earns its glamour. She phrases with the confidence of someone who has spent decades learning exactly how long to hold a note before the silence starts doing the talking. Her tone is rounded rather than brash, favouring warmth over showiness, though the improvisation she weaves through the melody proves she can turn on the fireworks when the moment calls for it." by Indie Dock Music Blog

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Frank Morgan
saxophone, alto

Contact

Management

Grzanna Jazz Booking

Management and booking

Mandi May

Grzanna Jazz Booking & Productions LLC

Sax Diva® LLC

Manager
(201) 591-JAZZ
saxdiva@saxdiva.com
http://www.saxdiva.com

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