Paris–Douala–Chicago: An Afropean Musical Journey at The CheckOut

After a sold-out performance at the Alliance Française de Chicago, French-Cameroonian vocalist and songwriter Suzie Telep brings Paris–Douala–Chicago: An Afropean Musical Journey to the CheckOut! This multilingual concert traces her musical path between France, Cameroon, and the United States, blending jazz, soul, French chanson, and Afrodiasporic traditions.

Singing in French, English, Basaa, Creole, and more, Suzie weaves rhythm and storytelling into an intimate, crosscultural experience. Her repertoire moves fluidly between jazz standards, Afrogrooves, and original compositions shaped by memory, heritage, and improvisation.

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.

Joined by Adam Kastler (piano), Sofia Rabiela (double bass), and Ellie Rui (drums, djembe,and percussion), she invites listeners into an immersive exploration across cultures, languages, and diasporic soundscapes.

Suzie Telep is a French-Cameroonian vocalist and songwriter from Paris whose music weaves jazz, soul, gospel, and Afro-Caribbean rhythms into a rich tapestry of sounds. Singing in English, French, Basaa, Creole, and more, she takes audiences on a vibrant multicultural journey filled with joy, belonging, and self-affirmation. Inspired by legends such as Ella Fitzgerald, Dianne Reeves, Angélique Kidjo, and Miriam Makeba, she first enchanted the Parisian jazz scene at iconic clubs like 38 Riv’ and Péniche Marcounet, captivating listeners with her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence.

Now based in Chicago, Suzie brings her cross-cultural storytelling to new audiences, exploring Afro-fusion improvisation, jazz standards, French chanson, and contemporary repertoire through her unique, soulful voice. By day, she is a professor of anthropology at the University of Illinois.

Praised by Saint Barth Weekly as “an outstanding multidimensional artist,” she is currently preparing her debut EP, *Afropean Travel.

Concert duration: 7:30 PM–9:00 PM (1.5 hours).*

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