h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well,*sigh* "the end is near!" as all those self-styled prophets of doom say. Except that in this case it refers to the end of the Suite's '03-'04 season...although there are 5 performances scheduled for; June 25th, June 26th, July 1st, July 2nd & July 3rd to coincide with Jazz City - http://www.jazzcity.ca. Otherwise the season effectively wraps up -for the general public- Fri. night with what should be a splendid show by The River City Big Band ( http://www.yardbirdsuite.com/Performers/2004-06-11.htm ).

A few of those dates I mentioned(in my previous posting) were deserving of anticipation, were Brett Miles' Explosion on May 21st ~ his spectacular combination of aural & visual arts (while I was in the kitchen for most of it, the bits I did manage to see were quite impressive!) & the superb 3-pronged attack of Langley-Tarry-Dominelli the next night. Uncompromising local drummer Sandro Dominelli teamed with Canadian guitar sensation Jake Langley & acclaimed bassist Chris Tarry for an evening of largely Langly's recently recorded material. Also worthy of mention was the May 28th performance by the Marc Beaudin Sextet. Beaudin, whose major involvemnt is with the 35-pc Royal Canadian Artillery Band has also led a big band project dubbed Kick Brass, in the recent past. And of course I Have to mention the 2 superb nights-June 4th & 5th- of rhythm & blues led by 76 year old Texas Johnny Brown, a master of the Texas(-style) blues. And I might add, at the top of his game despite his age!

And while not on the actual calendar, June 6th's performance by accomplished music students The Little Birds Big Band. Another fine big band appears at the Suite this Fri. (tomorrow) night, The -aforementioned-River City Big Band. Tonight though is certainly a major highlight, as it's the Canadian debut of Polish trumpeter Tomasz Stanko, who toured The U.K. in Feb. It's also the sole Canadian date on his limited (second) North American tour.

http://www.downbeat.com

The previous post's a reference to a bit of my summer reading. The current-July '04-issue of Downbeat magazine (celebrating it's 70th anniversary this year) contains reminiscences by numerous prominent musicians on their idols or major influences, as well as commentary from younger musicians on a few of those same aforementioned "prominent musicians" who might've influenced them. It also mentions specific recordings that highlight or are prime examples of a particular artist's work. Certainly a nice bit of insightful historical perspective on the north american Jazz scene, from a respected chronicler of the genre.

Without music, I would not want to live.

Huggers Jass.

Darn that dysllexia!

Creative people...errrr - ugh - no place anymore, huh? Well, perhaps here...

Hey, was wondering what had become of you!

Big in return!