Catching up with "Jazzology" grads - Rosanne Howell

Great to hear the lovely Rosanne at Gate 403 tonight with her band -she did original tunes like "Twilight" and "Gravity" - joking that she was covering the great Canadian songwriters - starting with herself - not really a joke since she does write very well.

I particularly enjoyed "Shiny Stockings", "So Far Away",  "I Try" and "Both Sides Now" lovely - hope you are back at Gate 403 soon! (Photo from my cell phone so not the greatest image!)

In the audience was Taurean Clarke, master of the steel pan and Humber grad - now teaching for the TDSB - hope to hear him perform soon too..he tells me he was part of the bill with the legendary Archie Alleyne at Pero recently....

Via Facebook an evening of award winning composers - at Berklee in Boston.
Yet another "Jazzology" grad - this time from Mohawk - Lorenzo Castelli is performing award winning compositions at :

 "Professional Writing Division Awards Concert" on Thursday, April 1 at 8:15pm.




Event: Professional Writing Division Awards Concert

What: Concert

Start Time: Thursday, April 1 at 8:15pm

End Time: Thursday, April 1 at 10:00pm

Where: Berklee Performance Center

Lorenzo is representing the film scoring department. Congratulations!

Muffin Mo

Made some Banana Chocolate Chip muffins from "Get Real" as there were "reject" bananas at the Kitchen Table downstairs. Today I am finishing "Prisoner of Tehran" - which I highly recommend - and made making Cheezy Kale Chips...mmm...I need to have lunch because that phrase caused my stomach to rumble.

I can't wait to try out the cookie recipes....

Rosanne Howell is at Gate 403 from 5 - 8 and Danica Leigh at the Reservoir starting at 7 p.m. - I am sensing a mad dash on the TTC between the two venues.

Ate salad rolls and curry puffs from King's Cafe at Yoga Show on Sunday - bought another yoga top plus a gorgeous rose pink number- short sleeves and hood- bamboo from KarmaWear our neighbours - sooo soft and comfy. Regrettably - they are from B.C. - however, this is the age of internet....

The great guitarist Herb Ellis passed away on Sunday - he was 88. Herb was best known for his work with Oscar Peterson along with Ray Brown - a legendary trio - his lightning fast melodic guitar playing and being a true gentleman - I got to meet him a number of years back when I was working at the Yardbird Suite so I can attest to all counts. I loved the stories I heard about the practical jokes those three used to play on each other - including the one where Herb dyed his hair purple and Oscar never rose to the bait to comment! Oscar is waiting for you, Herb.

An embarassment of jazz riches

Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar: 100 Dairy-Free Recipes for Everyone's Favorite Treats


Wow - Bobby McFerrin certainly lived up to my expectations....a blog posting should appear soon on Jazz FM's website. Tonight is Kurt Rosenwinkel....

Yesterday I worked at the Yoga Show for Soul Symbols with the always gracious Jalanna Lloyd Smith and I'm scheduled for tomorrow as well. I bought some great yoga/pilates wear at a booth called Aiyoku - operated by the very outgoing Wendy Waters - her stuff is colourful, prints not the same old same old one colour - check it out. Tried out my new purchase at Pilates today - may get another top....

I know I don't really need another cookbook but the money goes to TVA - so I am justifying it..."Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar" and "Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World" -  drooling over food porn. There were also samples when you spent $20 or more on books. Beware Jazz FM staff I have new cookbooks and I'm not afraid to use them....

And now off to Fresh and Kurt Rosenwinkel....

Billie, Bling, Baking and Monsoon

Okay, couldn't come up with a "b" word for Indo jazz - maybe Bollywood - but that wouldn't go.

Spent a delightful hour at Jazz FM Shawne Jackson a.ka. Billie Holiday - read about it on the Jazz FM blog....

Here is Monsoon in action at the Rex last night....

I also made a lemon poppyseed loaf from Alicia's book yesterday and some chocolate peanut butter shells from the "100 best vegan baking recipes" book.....

Check out the bling I received from Diva D - my very good internet buddy....gorgeous - early birthday present - love it! Thank you again Divine D!

On a sad note, the great Eugene Amaro passed away yesterday. Condolences to the family and friends of a great contributor to Canada's jazz scene including of course Rob McConnell's Boss Brass.  One more for the stellar jazz band in the hereafter.

Meatless Mondays

And Tuesdays, Wednesdays...well heck it is every day for me...but very exciting that there is a "Toronto Star" article on the front page of the Entertainment section featuring a photo of the TVA's  wonderful Executive Director David Alexander!

Inside there is more coverage - with recipes and a photo of the chef of the splendiferous "Calico Cafe" - Jared Davis - and reminds me I must pay that fine establishment a visit soon....

If I do have a bone to pick - yes, odd turn of phrase there - it's the emphasis on deprivation in the tone of the article's writer. I know they are likely required to be fair and balanced however, I feel there could have been far more focus on the pluses (of which there are many) than the minuses. I have never had such an interesting diet or created such interesting dishes as when I went veg. I still am more inclined with the "Meat Free" campaign that started in Britain personally - perhaps it is the allure of Sir Paul. More like to my way of thinking "Hooray, I am free of meat"! A liberation if you will....

By the way had a yummy lunch at "The Friendly Thai" newly on Queen Street west of Tecumseh - oodles of noodles and many veg options on the menu...I will be back. An extra treat mango, banana and green tea ice cream - thud - that's the sound of me perhaps falling off the vegan wagon unless that was coconut ice cream...which you must try!

Feeling very balanced thanks to Melissa at All One in Roncesvalles - love reflexology and as added indulgence - I was a massage model for Ayurvedic Touch - a very gifted student, Cathy (don't know if that's the spelling - sorry!) of Andrea Olivera's - an incredible teacher, Ayurvedic practitioner, facialist, skin care goddess and lovely, warm and nurturing person.

http://www.alloneclinic.com/

http://www.ayurvedictouch.com/

Business card images I am checking out...psychedelic

Business Cards $21.99
Buy this on MOO.com

Business Cards $21.99
Buy this on MOO.com

Queen Street Mug

This funky creation comes from one of the ladies who sell pottery on Queen Street on the weekends - between Tecumseh and Niagara. I liked the blue colour and pink/purple interior as well as the shape.

I think the artisan herself is either deaf or deaf/mute or both - if that is politically correct. She gestured about wrapping it but I just smiled and gestured I would put it in my purse. I also bought some leaf patterned earrings from her neighbour - cool items and great prices.

In Tarot my colouring most likely is represented by the Queen of Swords - but really as you can see - I am the Queen of Cups...or at least collecting cups.