DanJam Orchestra

In case this doesn't get up on the Jazz FM blog in time...check out Dan Jamieson's group at Trane tonight..8 p.m. or Wednesday at 9:30 at The Rex...

Looking forward to it!

Is being anti-jazz the new thing?

It was brought to my attention that columnist Tabitha Southey in the "Globe and Mail" had some sort of ill informed rant about jazz funding in that august paper - slightly less so now with such inflammatory garbage. Recently a reviewer in the Montreal Gazette gave a particularly catty review of the Maria Schneider Orchestra which many felt was sexist...so what's going on here? Is it the "I'm so cool that I'm anti jazz"? Southey was comparing funding to jazz festivals - which she feels is in excess of what is necessary - because she doesn't like this particular art form. Guess what? It's called a democracy. She goes on to lampoon (lamely) fashion choices of jazz patrons and compares it to the Pride Parade where there is much merriment and "inclusiveness" of all manner of people. Well, if you had done your research you would find jazz has been ground-breaking in the areas of inclusiveness - with black and white musicians performing together and individuals such as Artie Shaw way back in the 30's protesting the treatment of his then singer, Billie Holliday. Let me fight fire with fire and hazard a guess that maybe Ms. Southey had a not so positive relationship with a jazz lover? A woman scorned? Well, I for one am not going to miss her attendance at jazz events. I am however, saddened that the Globe and Mail who has had such a great jazz enthusiast and writer as Mark Miller has chosen to print this drivel.

Arts Funding and Fringe Fun

I am a little annoyed to find out how funding is doled out to arts groups in Canada...a good friend of mine and I are suspicious this has to do with politics...i.e. don't bother giving money to groups who won't vote for you.

Very Woodward and Bernstein - does that make my friend "Deep Throat" I wonder?

Check it out for yourself and be prepared to be outraged....for example $38,500 to the Edmonton Jazz Society..a pittance!

Hillside and Ottawa Folk - $60,000...sad...while some very small time and new organizations get the same amount...

http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/pac-apc/2008-2009-eng.cfm

On a happier note saw a great production, a one man show at the Fringe today " Jem Rolls - Leatest Flops". That's him in the photo (vancouverfringephotos - flickr creative commons). He describes himself as a "performance poet" which means there is no real job description, no boundaries...what a verbal hurricane . I couldn't believe what clever permutations and combinations he came up with.

Speaking of such things as tourists (hilarious) and being a "clanger" I think that's a British term for being socially maladroit. That poem included some of the best lines "I am the hedgerow clippers on the parasols of politeness...(think that's right) and also "I am the moles on your croquet lawn of niceness"!!

Then there was the lesson in British history - we won, we won, we won, we won, we won, we won - repeated rapidfire. I can't even put INTO words how he weaves and warps and wends...oh, I guess I just did.

Please go to his show!! I can't say enough about it..he's likely coming to a Fringe near you across our great land this summer. (He loves the fact he can do so many festivals in one country).

Danny Marks and then the Botos Brothers...

I have a fun evening at the Rex planned...with the very entertaining (host of Bluz FM on Saturday nights - Jazz FM 91.1) Danny Marks....Danny is talented, funny and knows possibly every popular song ever written...or just about. Then the 9:30 show - the incredible Botos brothers with brother Lajos, a wonderful singer joining Robi on piano and Frank on drums... You would think I would be tired of jazz after the extravaganza last week, wouldn't you..but no. I am taking a little breather from the station blog, though... Tomorrow I am going in search of something called "sfogliatelle" - ever since I saw these delectable items being made on my current TV show obsession - "Cake Boss". They are flaky pastries , resembling lobster tails with a dense cream inside...yum!! I'm going to haunt College Street..which would seem to be a good start.... A goddess has to look good and I'm now into the Joe Fresh makeup line - cheap - items less than $10. I love the "Poppy" lipgloss (an orange colour) that I bought last week in a rush at Loblaws. I want to try more of the line and do so at a more leisurely pace. So down to Queen's Quay for a suburban in urban shopping experience. I am busily transcribing a lengthy interview with a legendary jazz producer, that the velvet voiced Ross Porter has been working on...not that's it work listening to Mr. Porter's smoky bass. Gee, was that too obsequious? :)

Spiders and Stigers

There are currently 27, count em - 27 spiders on the outside windows of the condo...I'm not sure what this means..Armageddon? Or perhaps a bumper crop of bugs...It's amazing when one or two set up shop but 27!

Completely unrelated but also begins with an "S" check out the review of Curtis Stigers at the Jazz Fest on the Jazz FM blog - hint: I liked him.

Here are some lovely flowers growing along Tecumseh, my street:

And of calendula going crazy in the garden plot as well as the garden itself.

Must support those tomato plants...yikes....

Tomorrow is the volunteer party for Jazz Fest....I'm taking a rest from jazz tonight....

Mon frere

My brother Colin waiting for the Boss Brass concert to begin...his first and last concert with them...they sounded great...

Jumpin' Jamie

The incredible Jamie Cullum...before he shed layers....

And later when he moved out into the audience...I could have reached out and touched him...he was that close...the first shot is blurry because I was so excited...

Some of his band members....

I'm still flying! Check out my blog posting on Jazz FM...