Plein Air Concert: Paris-Douala-Chicago—A Jazz & Diaspora Journey with Suzie Telep

French‑​Cameroonian vocalist and songwriter Suzie Telep presents Paris–Douala–Chicago: A Jazz & Diaspora Journey, a multilingual concert tracing her musical path between France, Cameroon, and the United States. Blending jazz, soul, French chanson, and Afro‑diasporic traditions, she sings in French, English, Basaa, Creole, and more, weaving rhythm and storytelling into an intimate, cross‑cultural experience.

A former presence on the Paris jazz scene at venues such as 38 Riv’ and Péniche Marcounet, Suzie now brings her powerful voice and narrative‑driven stage presence to Chicago audiences. Her repertoire moves fluidly between jazz standards, Afro‑grooves, and original compositions shaped by memory, heritage, and improvisation.

Joined by pianist Leon Lewis, she invites listeners into an immersive exploration across cultures, languages, and diasporic soundscapes.

About the Musicians

Suzie Telep

Suzie Telep is a French-Cameroonian vocalist and songwriter whose music weaves jazz, soul, and gospel with African and Caribbean rhythms into a rich tapestry of sounds. Singing in French, English, Basaa, Creole, and more, she carries audiences into a vibrant multicultural journey filled with joy, belonging, and self-affirmation. She first enchanted the Parisian jazz scene at iconic clubs like 38 Riv’ and Péniche Marcounet, captivating listeners with her powerful voice and energetic stage presence. Now, based in Chicago, Suzie brings her cross-cultural music and storytelling to new audiences. Also a professor of anthropology at the University of Illinois, she is currently preparing her debut EP, Afropean Travel.