I am a native San Diegan and grew up in the Point Loma/Ocean Beach area. We lived 2 blocks from Sunset Cliffs and I spent my entire childhood at the beach, body surfing, walking, and exploring. I could hear the ocean when I woke up in the morning. My family was very musical so I was expected to play from birth. I ended up being a professional musician. I have played with many wonderful musicians in my life and have had my band for the last 25 years: Sue Palmer & her Motel Swing Orchestra. I toured extensively, all over the world, mostly with blues singer Candye Kane, and also later, under my own name, playing boogie woogie shows. www.suepalmer.com
About Sue Palmer
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My mother, father, brother and my Aunt Toot, and I lived together. My mother and her family were from Texas originally and all played music. My grandfather played fiddle and all of his children were swing musicians. Aunt Toot was a great piano player and taught me as well. Toot and my mothers sister, Auntie Arlene played alto sax and had been a professional musician. My father was from Alabama, so my roots were very southern. My brother ended up being a ballet dancer and I started playing music outside of the house.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I started piano lessons when I was 7 and have been playing ever since. I love to make music with other people! I think the joy of that translates and becomes something to share with an audience too.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Music is a very healing thing so try to keep it in your life.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
That’s kind of a weird question to ask a 76 year old. ha I see myself alive! and enjoying music , either playing or listening to my friends.
Sue Palmer & Our Community
Q: What are a few of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Bleu Boheme, Red Fox, Saigon
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
76 years
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Candye Kane
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Chiquitas, Blue Pacific Nursery, San Diego Library, Folk Arts
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Definitely the wonderful beaches
Q: If you could choose anyone alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet for this lunch?
Laura Jane – brilliant woman, very creative, great songwriter and musician. We would eat at Ponce’s.
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Outlander, Color Purple, Hacks.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I love mango ice cream.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The ocean.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
APRIL WEST
Q: What community organizations and/or local nonprofits do you admire/support?
International Rescue Committee
Q: Finally, what three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Ocean, ferns, music
