San Diego Music Hall of Fame®
Sue Palmer – Internationally known as The Queen of Boogie Woogie, Palmer has been a staple of San Diego’s blues, swing, & jazz scenes for over 30 years.
Inducted 2018
Sue Palmer
Known worldwide as the Queen of Boogie Woogie, Sultana of Swing, & Lady Who Skates on the 88s, Sue Palmer has been a presence on the live music scene in San Diego for over 30 years. She had a day named after her by the city of San Diego in 2008, & won numerous San Diego Music Awards for her bands & albums.
Palmer has recorded over 12 albums under her own name, securing an international award from The International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis for Best Self Produced Album (Sophisticated Ladies). She was the beehive-wearing music director & longtime pianist for blues diva & fellow SD Music Hall of Fame® inductee Candye Kane, through the 90s, appearing on many of her albums, touring worldwide (France, Germany, England, The Czech Republic, Turkey, South Africa, Australia, & more) as well as all over the US & parts of Canada.
Sue Palmer has also toured Switzerland, Russia, the Netherlands, & Argentina under her own name. Her current high energy Motel Swing Orchestra was nominated for a 2021 San Diego Music Award, once again, for Best Local Recording for their recent EP titled “Movin’ Along”. Palmer had a radio show for 3 years on San Diego’s local Jazz station KSDS 88.3FM, & now hosts a podcast called “The Motel Swing Happy Hour KSUE San Diego.” According to Claudia Russell, DJ Extraordinaire on KSDS 88.3FM, “When her heavily jeweled hands hit the 88s, you’re in for a ride!” Watch out! When the Queen boogies, you just may become a slave to the dance floor!!