Travelling back in time for New Years...

Lake Ontario this morning..

and yesterday...I time travelled...circa 1938 to be exact or so it would seem at Roy Thomson Hall . I enjoyed the matinee show of Bob DeAngelis and his Champagne Symphony - Coronation of a King - a Tribute to Benny Goodman.

Lots of Mr. Goodman's treasures came out of the vault including his theme song "Let's Dance", "Sing, Sing, Sing" and "Stompin at the Savoy".

It was again a pleasure to hear Melissa Stylianou providing the vocals on "It Had to be You", "Bei Mir Bist du Schon", "You Turned the Tables on Me" and of oourse Peggy Lee's big hit "Why Don't You Do Right?".

Amongst the orchestra works were a few jazz combo pieces which were a treat including "Tiger Rag" featuring Bob, John McLeod on trumpet, Laurie Bower on trombone, Scott Irvine on tuba, and the wonderful Frank Wright on vibes.

As a nice addition the Humber College Studio Jazz Band played some original band charts to open the second set.

My brother Colin added the extra oomph to the brass section on bass trombone.

After a drink at "Quotes" where it seemed the after concert reception was taking place. We enjoyed a lovely dinner at Dhaba, a great Indian restaurant on King West.

By the by...."Quotes" is back in action on January 16th with Russ Little as a featured guest with the Canadian Jazz Quartet. Russ is always a reason to leave your house! (As told to me by its' organizer, Fay Olson...Fay and Don Vickery were enjoying a drink after the show too and visiting with all the musicians).

Here is evidence of other visitors to the lake...a squirrel or squirrels I believe - obviously not celebrating until the wee hours as our neighbours were..

There were also large congregations of ducks of all kinds where there was open water...

Here's to a great 2009!