By Sue Matsuki—a loving friend, mentee and “daughter”***For me, it all started in 1986 when I met this extraordinary woman at The Village Gate Sidewalk gig, which was an auditioned spot. We created a family there led by Stan Edwards as the host, with music director Gary Pace and our “mother” —Trudi Mann. She was always introduced as “Mann O’ Mann…It’s Trudi Mann!”
When I tell you that everything l have learned about singing, picking a great tune, connection to my lyric, a sense of humor when singing and swinging, started with my association with Trudi. I know that I speak for many in these statements. Trudi led and taught by example and was one of the first people in the city to host a jazz open mic where many of us cut our teeth on jazz in a safe and nurturing environment. She introduced us all to emerging genius musicians: Tedd Firth, Saadi Zain and Wells Hanley. Notable singers of all levels but some WAY famous folks like Sir Rodney Bennett were frequent attendees. How grateful are we all to have had the honor of knowing her.
She was born Trudi Brown, Kansas City, Missouri. In high school she sang in an a cappella choir and also formed her own trio, the Melo-dears, she performed at venues all across the country, including taking them to the Texas Jazz Festival and then to Las Vegas and many other important jazz rooms, clubs and resorts. She even did a major gig in Mexico. Trudi learned to play drums, accompanying herself, an accomplishment she deemed as being able to play cocktail drums. This group worked steadily for six years until, in the early 70s, she settled in New York City.
In New York she played pretty much every jazz and cabaret room, including Birdland, The Iridium, The Village Gate, Arci’s Place (where she and I did a show together called “M & M”), Trumpets, The Cotton Club, The Blue Note, Smalls Jazz Club, Trudi Heller’s, Burt Bachrach’s, The Riverboat, Cleopatra’s The Needle (which was one of the locations of her Open Mic), Chez Suzette’s (another open mic location), Jan Wallman’s, Judy’s, Helen’s, Danny’s Skylight Room and Don’t Tell Mama. She was also a regular at Ronny White’s Jazz at St. Pete’s series… you can clearly see that SHE was the real deal in jazz first and foremost, nightclub singing and cabaret.
Another very close friend of hers who I would exchange info with every time one or the other of us spoke to Trudi was Laura Hull. Laura took extra care in checking in with 
Trudi and Trudi’s daughter and son-in-law who lived outside of Nashville. Trudi and her beloved husband Ray Noren moved to California and then were moved to a fancy health residency where eventually they both passed: Ray in 2021 and now Trudi. She said that she felt Ray “hovering” over her. For those of you who knew Ray, in addition to being a musician, he was a professional psychic in Las Vegas; Trudi also considered herself psychic.
This was of such comfort to me personally to know that she felt Ray there waiting for her in the end. Our own freaky connection was that Ray’s birthday was on my and Kenro’s anniversary and that Trudi and Ray’s anniversary was on my birthday! I know! Some of you also know that Ray was her #1, most devoted fan and that he often wrote some of the funniest parodies for her. They were quite a team. Our last time together before they moved was at their condo in Long Island, with Dana Lorge, my husband Kenro, Ray and Trudi. It’s a memory I’ll keep forever!
Some of you may note that she and Marilyn Maye (born in 1928) are both from Kansas City. They knew each other back in the day as they were both coming up. I don’t know about you, but I would suggest that we all go get some of that Kansas City water!
Her legacy? I am going to let the words of Laura Hull speak on behalf of us all:
“Trudi was not only a talented, improvisational vocalist in her own right, she was a vocal nurturer with a sparkly spirit, who spread joy across singers of all styles and ability. No singer was ever turned away, regardless of ability. She treasured each and every one. Whether listening to her ease singing a vocalese or a ballad, when she sat on her stool to sing, we all listened and watched with awe at this mighty spirit who gave us so much!”
If you want to read all the beautiful tributes to Trudi click here. Here is a clip of her in 
action in her hey day at a live performance at The Village Gate singing: “I Get Along Without You Very Well.” And this year at Urban Stages’ Winter Rhythms I am producing “The Village Gate Reunion Show,” where we will dedicate the show to our “mother” Trudi.
A memorial service will be planned in due course, details to come. Donations are gratefully being accepted at Musiciancares Leave it to Trudi and her family to make her last gift one of support to music and musicians!
RIP TRUDI…YOU WERE ONE IN A MILLION!
