Theatuh

Well, just because I'm a jazz goddess doesn't mean I'm not well rounded... I saw a moving and profound play in my neighbourhood today at Alchemy Theatre on Tecumseh. The play is called '"The Taxi Project" and to quote the program is "a new play about exploring freedom of expression, exile and home. It's a collaborative effort by four writers of different cultures, Ethiopian, Mexican, Bosnian and Chinese - Martha Kuwee Kumsa, Emma Beltran, Goran Simic and Sheng Xue respectively. It's a great ensemble piece and it's PWYC. It's presented by PEN Canada who sponsors the Writers in Exile program, of course because it addresses human rights... I loved it...it made me think...which is what the best theatre is supposed to do.

Becoming a Daniel Jamieson groupie...

It was wonderful seeing Daniel's Quartet at Dominion on Queen...a small but enthusiastic audience (families and friends) and guests Michael Ruby and Remy Leboeuf (who will be playing with Michael Ruby next week, along with his brother Pascal Leboeuf) on tenor and alto respectively... I encourage you to catch this group at various locations this week...they also have gigs in Calgary and Edmonton coming up too. We don't get to see Dave McMurdo as often as we like and of course his orchestra didn't disappoint at the Rex on Monday night....always a great big band and great charts and musicians. Dave is back the last monday in August as well. My lovely niece Meredith said "I do" to Nathan Gillies this weekend and it was a beautiful wedding, bride and celebration. So touching...I remember when she was the cutest little girl with her bowl haircut, dancing around their living room to Holst's "The Planets' with her brother Connor! Best of luck in Sheffield England you two!!

Luddites....er me...

Oops this new photo/visual image thing is going to take some work so...again here is Ivy, 18, feisty, jazz cat

And one of Joe Locke and 3/4 of his band, Robert Rodriguez, Joe Locke and Ricky Rodriguez, left to right, at breakfast at the Plaza during the Rochester Jazz Festival.

The drummer was delayed....

Ashley St. Pierre was lovely last night at Tequila Bookworm...the word needs to get out as this is a cozy upstairs spot that needs more bodies. I always like to support places willing to program live jazz.

Today a short vacation to the Island is in order...finally this week the rain has stopped..at least temporarily....

Thank you Daniel Jamieson

Great show last night at the Rex with the Tentet, which included heavy hitters such as Alex Dean, Terry Clarke, Dave Young, Kevin Turcotte and William Carn.

Daniel is doing a few more shows with his quartet of New York friends here in Toronto and I plan to catch him in a quartet settings....he's moving to NYC in the fall, folks so catch him while you can....here's a link and his photo...

http://www.danieljamieson.com/Danjam/Plug.html

I was told that visual content is a good idea...so here goes...

I am also including a completely random photo of my cat, Ivy....she is 18 and still feisty and very affectionate...well, cats and jazz do go together...

Beaches at Woodbine

Well, as usual it was a treat to hear Odessa/Havana and things weatherwise actually cooled off a bit and the rain held off...which was great...the small embankment next to the stage provided some amphitheatre seating Also listened to some of Roxanne Potvin....crowds were small but I'm sure that it was due to a) Friday night and b) not many people knowing about the location... Minor complaint...sound bleed between the two stages, but I'm sure that will be worked out...it took a few attempts at the Edmonton Folk Fest years ago.... Chatted with Bill King, pianist/producer/photographer extraordinaire...always a pleasure and I sincerely hope this catches on as a venue as it's a lovely park. Who knew I would be tempted by linens? I bought sheets, 400 thread count for $33! Then I was talked into going over to Harbourfront to check out the Iranian Festival...alas, we had read the wrong date/time for a performance and missed the one that was actually happening...no matter...a chance to purchase some Persian pastries and treats and catch up on her trip to Montreal Jazz Fest with my charming friend Christina at a conveniently located Starbucks down the block on Lakeshore.... Lettuce harvest yesterday, shoring up tomatoes, reading and not much else this weekend other than getting very wet on the Liberty Market excursion...it was worth it for the delicious fresh berries, cherries, corn, plums, peas and tomatoes... And now to get centred/inspired by Wayne Dyer...practice meditating and being Zen....

Hot Jazz...literally

Well, actually hot sticky jazz...as I have experienced this week...went to see Monsoon at the Rex...sounding great as always...but found myself nodding off/not being able to concentrate due to the oppressive heat... And so, glutton for punishment that I am....going down to the Beaches event at Woodbine Park to hear Odessa/Havana, and of course, Max Senitt...hopefully there will be some lake effect.... I do feel mildly cooler after practicing some "cooling" Hatha Yoga yesterday and getting a haircut from the fabulous Sandro at Wax Hairdressing... Don't know what my jazz plans are otherwise...tempted to see Richard Underhill at the Rex this weekend...but at the same time remember it is like a sauna/steam room there.... Looking forward to hearing Dan Jamieson's big band on the 23rd...he has some great people working with him and is leaving in the fall for NY....Toronto's loss...NY's gain! I'll report later on how this went. Can't believe my niece is getting married next weekend! My little Meredith...whom I used to babysit....she has a wonderful husband to be in Nathan though and they will set out to Sheffield England in the fall for a new adventure..

Not Jazz, Just James

Taylor, of course. A lovely concert even though it was punctuated by rainfall....I was seated at the very edge of the cover for the Molson Amphitheatre. Oh well, it made it memorable...:) James is still in fine voice, I have to say I enjoyed him most when he pared down the instrumentation and used acoustic guitar. "Sweet Baby James" and "Carolina In My Mind" were lovely...and the audience agreed. He did 2 encores... Great band too, including.....Larry Goldings.... So, my jazz content for this posting....

Jazz on the Beach

Thanks to Julie Christian I was invited to the Beaches International Jazz Fest Media Conference today at the Balmy Beach Club.... What more could you ask for? Beautiful setting, great music, fabulous Greek Food courtesy of Mr. Greek and celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Festival? The Quintessential Boys with Rob Christian on Sax, Quincy Bullen on keys, Omar Gittens on drums and Lucian Gray on bass, provided the great sounds...I believe most in the Quartet are still teenagers! Congratulations Beaches...a true community festival....

Withdrawal...

Nothing much to post today..except that after a couple of crazy music filled weeks I am experiencing jazz withdrawal...I choose to think of it as rest, a way to recharge by batteries for the next round...which likely means Beaches....:) I'm looking forward to seeing James Taylor next week and Dan Jamieson's band at the Rex on the 23rd. Loved Lizz Wright on Sunday...a great way to end the festival...she is hypnotizing... On a folky note I also thoroughly enjoyed Jill Barber at Harbourfront on Saturday...her voice is kind of blend of Emmylou Harris, younger Dolly Parton with some Sarah Harmer....look forward to seeing her again..