Canadian Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame
Sue Malcolm
Inducted: 2024
Sue Malcolm – Pacific
Sue Malcolm has been a bluegrass mainstay for about 44 years or more. In real life Sue was a teacher, which certainly shows, and of course, she has never stopped teaching. Sue Malcolm worked in the school system for 30 years as a special education teacher and family counselor, later becoming a community school co-ordinator then a bereavement counselor. She retired in 2009 to spend her full time on music. Sue has guided the Vancouver bluegrass music scene for years, giving lessons and classes, holding jams, and writing numerous songbooks teaching bluegrass. She has tutored many a player to go on to play better bluegrass.
She was a founder and four-term president of The Pacific Bluegrass and Heritage Society. Recognized for her ability to help beginners gain confidence and enjoy making music in a group setting, Sue developed the Slow Pitch Jam method of teaching bluegrass jamming.Since 1996 Sue’s monthly Slow Pitch Jams at the ANZA Club in Vancouver have been drawing huge crowds and helping hundreds of people experience the joy of jamming.
Her main instrument is guitar, however she also plays bass and banjo. She has taught singing and harmony classes, as well as played in several bands. The most recent ones are “Highrise Lonesome” and “The Soda Crackers.” Her partner Paul Norton runs the local Vancouver Coop radio station - CFRO 100.5 FM - and she has been instrumental in helping him bring new bluegrass music to the area.
In addition, Sue has had her hand in bluegrass shows as one of the founding members of PBHS now PBOHS, the Vancouver Bluegrass Club
At the Anza Club Jam
The Soda Crackers
