The Secret to Sweet Suzi and Sugafixx

It's said some people were born to sing the blues. In some respects Lindenhurst resident Suzi Esposito Smith of Sweet Suzi and Sugafixx is one of those people.

With an attention-grabbing voice and the passionate presence reminiscent of other female blues vocalists, she commands the stage. But this isn't her first time in the lead position.

Smith's education in music began when she started singing at eight years old, but her formal training officially began at Five Towns College. There she was in the first female-only a cappella group "Not Just Voices."

Shortly after college, she joined her first band, the rock-influenced Exit 57. The band recorded an album on an independent label and played extensively for some time before parting ways.

Her second group Suzi and the Blues Experience came just before her new outfit, Sweet Suzi and Sugafixx. Besides Smith, the band also features two other veteran musicians: guitarist John Puglisi and bassist Joe Pagano. Puglisi and Pagano were previously in blues/rock band The Curbdogs.

She intimated this is her favorite group so far.

"I was always more soulful than [Exit 57]. The blues just naturally felt comfortable for me," said Smith, who over the years has won three New York Blues competitions and competed in the International Blues Competition.

She also shared that you don't have to have the blues to sing the blues.

"If you don't have the blues, then you're either content or ultimately happy, but you can still sing the blues. It's almost a gospel then. Sometimes the songs are lovelorn and about broken hearts, but some of it is looking for a job and making money. You can modernize the storyline without sacrificing the feel and grit of it," Smith said.

Often smiling and joking, her positive attitude is a noticeable trait. Through her music she hopes to pass on her positivity.

"I don't think it's narcissistic to think you can change people and make a difference - to touch them with music. When you see the younger generation digging it too, especially the young women, that blows me away. Music makes you live longer," Smith said.

Her family is of utmost importance to her. She explained her family’s support structure as being vital to life in Lindenhurst.

"Every time I get out of [living in] Lindenhurst, I come back. I still see people from high school who reach out to me, and it's great. I feel like a rock star in my own town," she said.

Her friends, family and fans come to support her every chance they get, and with good reason.

Smith has a message for aspiring musicians as well.

"Get your education, because everyone needs to learn something. You can always be better," she said. "Listen to your parents' music, too. It will expand your mind immensely. Learn your heritage, your roots and be more open minded to different styles."

Sweet Suzi and Sugafixx have played in venues from Nashville and Mississippi to Boston. .

On the horizon for is a live album titled She's A Live One, set to drop in the next few months. Catch her and the band at RS Jones in Merrick on March 26, Giacomo Jack's in Amityville on the April 1 or find the band online for a blues fix.