I know should is a bit of an evil word but this weekend after performing at the Art of Jazz festival so many "shoulds" came to mind. Don't worry, they're not all bad.
The Art of Jazz Festival SHOULD:
- have more attendees
- have better promotion
- be more recognized because the artists both international and local were amazing!
- make sure their website is updated with festival information more than 3 weeks before the actual festival
- keep their Women in Jazz Stage surrounded by those comfy chairs
- showcase more female drummers like Alyssa Falk
- be praised for their multicultural programming
- have been overflowing with people since 90% of their shows were free!
- make sure the sausage tent doesn't run out of buns (Specific I know. But one whole sausage on half a bun makes for a messy meal!)
- try to make all of their workshops free since they are an organization "dedicated to jazz education". $26.25 isn't that much money for a two hour workshop with Roberta Gambarini but wouldn't it be amazing if everyone who wanted to learn could attend, not just those who could afford it?
- hire the same sound company for next year because the sound outside at the Boiler House was great. The microphones on the piano let us hear every beautiful note.
- not be missed next year!
I performed as part of Lisa Particelli's Girls Night Out Jazz Showcase and was I ever in wonderful company. Many of my favourite local singers came out to donate their voices to the GNO cause including Beverly Taft, Carin Redman, Pat Murray, Gillian Margot, Rita di Ghent, Holly Clark, Denise Leslie, Amy McConnell, Yvette Tollar, Elena Kapeleris, Kathleen Gorman, Betty Richardson, Whitney Ross-Barris, Sarah John, Terra Hazelton and Ori Dagan.
Since I rediscovered my digital camera I've been really snap happy! Here are some shots from Sunday's GNO showcase:
Whitney Ross-Baris singing World on a String.
Sarah John with Terra et al listening in the comfy chairs!
Juno nominee Yvette Tollar singing Some Other Time.
Betty Richardson blessing us all with God Bless the Child
& Mark Kieswetter behind her tore up the piano on his solo!
Photographing the Photographer! Terra with Greg King.
Ori Dagan and Lisa Particelli closed out the show!
Following GNO I was finally able to hear Sienna Dahlen with fellow heavies -
Dave Restivo, Ingrid Jensen and the aforementioned Alyssa Falk!
Sienna is an extraordinary voice on the Canadian jazz scene. Totally inspiring!
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