Excerpt from: The Union Democrat
By GARY LINEHAN

She doesn’t sound Russian. That’s because she’s Ukrainian. When it comes to singing, however, her sound is all-American.

Natalia Susoeff, known professionally by her first name only, is one-half of the Diamond Duo, joining saxophonist Bobby Billeci in a musical act that released two compact discs this year.

Born and raised in the Ukraine, where she started singing and performing at age 5, Natalia moved to Sonora in February 2007 when her husband, Jason, began his new job as manager of Abbey Carpet.

In the Ukraine, Natalia learned to play the piano at home and graduated from schools with musical honors and awards. She began performing professionally during her youth and early adulthood. As an adult, she worked for radio stations as an engineer and acquired an audio recording skill.

At night, she sang in nightclubs and resorts throughout the Ukraine and Turkey. She also has performed for high government officials in the Ukraine.

Natalia met Billeci in June 2007 while performing at a Sonora restaurant where he had previously performed alone.

Billeci was born in the Bay Area city of Pittsburg and started playing saxophone at age 10. He also learned to play piano at home and graduated from schools with musical honors.

He performed professionally during his youth and early adulthood. As an adult, he performed part-time with San Francisco area bands while working full-time for Shell Oil Co. He also built a home recording studio and recorded musical backgrounds to play saxophone over.

After 35 years with Shell, Billeci chose early retirement and moved from Antioch to Sonora, where his wife, Jill, was beginning a new job as manager of Gottschalks department store.

In Sonora, he started performing as a solo act to his pre-recorded backgrounds.

The name “Diamond Duo” sprang from an exchange the two had after they joined forces.

“She said ‘When you found me, you found a diamond,’ ” Billeci recalled. “I said, ‘What am I, a lump of coal?’ ”

Quite the opposite, Natalia maintains.

“Bobby’s musical creativity and talent on his saxophone has no limit,” she said. “He has widened my own musical horizons to a much higher level.”

Billeci echoed her enthusiasm.

“Natalia is indeed a world class vocalist,” he said. “She is the most talented person that I’ve ever worked and performed with. As a record producer, she possesses the skills that capture the best saxophone playing that’s inside of me. When we perform together, I get chills and goose-bumps.”

They released their first compact disc, “Unforgettable Favorites,” in February, followed by “Unforgettable Favorites II” on July 11. Both combine jazz, pop and country standards with original material.

Both discs are on N&B Records, a handcrafted project from start to finish.

“All the songs and instruments are performed and arranged by Natalia and I,” Billeci said. “The recording and mixdown was done by Natalia. We make and print our CD jacket inserts, plus we burn each individual CD.”

Larry Henderson will be performing at CAMPS this month.

Larry will be performing at Camp’s Restaurant each Saturday evening from 7-9p.m. Come out and enjoy great food and some acoustic music.