Jazz Slacker

That is me this weekend anyway - well, other than hearing Dan Bodanis and his trio at Azure- Brian Dickinson sitting in on piano - great version of "Nica's Dream"  - I recommend the Invisible Lotus martini...delish.

I had hoped to see "The Damned United" in the building last night as I am becoming a Michael Sheen fan - he is such a chameleon - however, 3rd time this week rec staff has not planned ahead for the showing. "Adam" became "New Moon" and last night's movie some lame filler called "The Goal" - which I didn't even bother to stay for - I went across the street and rented "Lymelife" instead.

I am gathering energy, so not really slacking as I will be covering the Shawne Jackson event at Jazz FM, Bobby McFerrin on Friday and Kurt Rosenwinkel on Saturday - plus likely going to Tequila Bookworm for Adam Arruda's Monk themed event and to hear "Monsoon" at the Rex on Wednesday...

And now on to bios....

Paul Read Tribute

What a wonderful testament this concert was to Paul Read's contributions to jazz in Toronto and indeed Canada. Patrick Boyle did a great job on his emcee duties as well as musical. The musicianship of the 10 o'clock and 11 o'clock Jazz Orchestras under the direction of Terry Promane and Jim Lewis was top notch. Chase Sanborn also emceed and provided his usual solid trumpet duties - special appearance from the always searing tenor man Alex Dean.

It's great hearing all the burgeoning talent particularly Shannon Graham on tenor - she is from Edmonton - and Landon Vieria I think it was - I just know the fun curly hair also on tenor. Mackenzie Longpre on drums - awesome.

Who's who of jazz community there - Larry Green (my boss), Denny Christianson, Pat LaBarbera, Dave McMurdo Don Thompson, Mike Downes to name a few. Dave says he has a gig coming up at the Old Mill in May and that I should get my ahem...behind (not what he said) over there - yes, sir!

The Outreach band was outstanding - playing a tune dedicated to Read's mother "Marmalade Margaret" - over 50% "Jazzology grads - Ben Dietschi, Patrick Boyle, Nathan Hiltz, Robin Jessome, Rob Fekete - way to go guys!

Exciting news I am going to see Bobby McFerrin and also Kurt Rosenwinkel...woo hoo! May head over to Azure tomorrow night and then the Rex to see Dave Young.

Spice Girl

This is the Spice Swirl Bundt Cake with Buttahmilk Icing from Jae Steele's "Get It Ripe"...I was feeling in a spice cake mood. I am also planning on a Lemon Poppyseed Cake -perhaps on Friday.

Tonight off to hear the Paul Read tribute at U of T - should be great.

Currently I am trying to eat some more raw foods and smoothies to settle the digestion - so not so much spice for me or hot or fried. I tried out a Chocolate Mint Matte at David's today - it was great and as advised by the clerk gives you energy, without the downsides of coffee - the mint helps cover some of the "earthy" flavour of the Matte I find and I love mint.

Coconut is also good for me - so, a little treat of Coconut Milk ice cream later...

Kate Rusby

How delightful she was last evening at Hugh's Room - packed house. Ran into friends who were surprised so many knew about her - ah, the wonders of the internet.  In between numbers she displayed a fun sense of humour - her obsession with "Shrek" and Superman - she has a little outfit for her dog, Doris...husband and fellow musician - on guitars and banjo Damien - displaying one of my favourite accents - Northern Irish had a great dry wit and talent to burn - lovely voice.

Kate performed "You Belong to Me" - that sweet 50's tune, "A Good Man", "Not Me", "The Drowned Lovers", "The Cobbler's Daughter" - among many and "Underneath the Stars" as an encore solo - magical.

Check out http://www.katerusby.com/ - for more photos, bio, albums, tour dates, etc.

Today is a beautiful day - uncharacteristically springlike. I had a reflexology session which I hope is the start on the road to being back in balance - perhaps I need to settle digestive issues by going raw again...hmmm....too many tomatoes, peppers, acidic items of late? Plus, meditation. Thanks to Melissa at All One Clinic in Roncesvalles - an oasis of tranquillity and healing.

Jazz content: an email I received from Terry Promane:

On behalf of the Faculty of Music at the University of Toronto, I invite you to join us on Wednesday, March 17 at 7:30 pm in MacMillan Theatre when the University of Toronto Jazz Studies Department celebrates the work and music of Professor Paul Read.



The 10 O’Clock and 11 O’Clock Jazz Orchestras conducted by Terry Promane and Jim Lewis will perform music composed and arranged by Paul. A reception will follow.


Paul Read was a central figure in the establishment and growth of the U of T Jazz Studies degree programs and he continues to be a major figure in the jazz community as a pianist, saxophonist, composer, arranger and educator.


To recognize Paul’s contribution to the University of Toronto, we are establishing an award for jazz graduate students in his name. I hope that you will consider making a gift to support this new initiative to encourage jazz graduate students and to honour Paul.

To reserve a pair of tickets to the concert and reception and/or to make a gift please contact Tyler Greenleaf at 416-946-3580.

 I have the privilige of having met and heard many of these fine students and graduates - it promises to be a great show!

Dead Umbrellas

Everywhere. Including my own - I wonder what the fatalities were yesterday after the wind and rain....hundreds or thousands? Much more gentle today.

An interesting fact from the Nature Conservancy calendar - male Grizzly bears emerge from hibernation today....hmmm...just be careful - you never know they could be roaming Queen Street - where you would least expect it and they are HUNGRY!

This afternoon I am making a "mash-up" as the kids say of Minestrone recipes...smells good - used Ying Ying "bacon" onion, garlic, broth, carrots, celery, cabbage, tomatoes, zucchini - lima beans, peas, corn (all frozen) - green beans, kidney beans, pasta, basil, oregano, parsley.

Tomorrow night going to see Kate Rusby at Hugh's Room - very exciting. No jazz to report on my schedule as yet this week, but it will come, I know it.

Metamorphosis?

This lovely image is from flick'r - Creativity plus by Timothy K Hamilton.

I was thinking about butterflies as my dear friend D mentioned dreaming of them last night - plus I also seem to be encountering a lot of butterfly imagery - hmm...does that mean I am becoming a butterfly? Nice concept. My dream involved Paul McCartney...interesting...completely G rated.

Here is a thought I had, admittedly strange - if you got Jamie Cullum and Jamie Oliver at the same event would one be able to withstand the energy level and cuteness factor? Let's find out!

Great music again at Azure - wonderful to hear Dave Restivo - he really killed it on "Pennies from Heaven" and I requested "Someone to Watch Over Me", "Desafinado" and "I Thought About You"...still a roomful of people and minimal applause....sigh...part of me wants to lecture, part of me to just let it go....be Zen, like the butterfly...

It was also nice to meet Jim Biros Executive Vice President of the Toronto Musicians Association - who helped Dan put together the contract with the hotel...he is a fascinating guy - with a background in theatre.

I am excited about going to hear Kate Rusby tomorrow at Hugh's Room - sounds lovely from my You Tube listening - thanks to Brenda Lewis.

Jamie Cullum

Blog posting should be up shortly on Jazz FM - how delightful he was - our own little concert - much better than being in the nosebleed section in a huge concert hall.

Discovered a new restaurant - well, to me anyway in Liberty Village - Raaw - it's Japanese had yummy "Very Veg" sushi with brown rice, avocado, cucumber, shitake mushroom, carrot - crunchy wrapped in bean curd - scrumptious, plus the owners/staff are wonderfully welcoming people - check it out - there are a few veg options on the menu. I should have taken a photo but thought that may have freaked them out...I can't wait to sample more items on the menu.

Also another discovery in Liberty Galleria - Demo Soap - I have seen their stuff at the One of a Kind Sale and knew they had a space somewhere in the area - found it. Too much fun smelling all the soaps - I bought Vanilla Coconut, Jasmine, Shea Butter and Rose Geranium. A whole strip of shops/businesses (including a dance studio, clothing store and "For the Love of Cake" ) I haven't noticed before as I'm usually on a mission to get to Jazz FM  - other than stopping for Balzac's coffee.

Maybe a visit to Azure again today - Dave Restivo is in the house - and I will venture into folk territory methinks on Sunday or Monday at Hugh's Room - a singer someone put me onto Kate Rusby from the U.K. Julie Mahendran is also at the Rex the same night!

Thanks to Ron for the tip about Danielle Hebert - check out her "Paris is for Lovers" CD - it's been played on Brad Barker's show - that's Dinner Jazz from 6 - 9 weekdays. I am on this French chanteuse or chanteur kick and Ron is a Francophile and knows his music - we share similiar taste.

I am anticipating the Grand Opening of Bergstrom Originals - they are moving across the street - on March 18th - more on that later - with photos. Love Christina's use of colour - I certainly adore everything I buy there.