The Musical Muse
Blog dedicated to music education, practice tips, health & wellness, and geeking out.
If you love jazz and you live in Calgary, come out to Johnny Summers' upcoming CD release party. Deets as follows: Date: March 16th 2013
Calgary CD release concert for Johnny's new recording "The Piano Sessions Volume 1"
featuring Chris Andrew, piano
Special guests Al Muirhead, Shane Statz, and The Polyjesters Jason and Sheldon Valleau!
Tickets will be on sale soon.
Johnny Summers is the director of the Calgary Jazz Orchestra.
Here's my CD review.
Here's a video of Johnny in performance:
The Calgary Jazz Orchestra performed a sold-out concert at River Park Church in Calgary, Alberta on Sunday, December 23, 2012. From “You Don't Know Me” to “Frosty the Snowman”, the CJO presented varied palette of big band jazz, Frank Sinatra standards and Christmas favourites. The warm up act for this Christmas show was the University of Calgary Jazz Orchestra, directed by Dr. Jeremy Brown. The jazz group performed Fred Sturm's arrangement of Radiohead's “Bodysnatchers”, Bobby Watson's “Fuller Love” (Arr. Dan Keberle) and Jerry Nowak's “Frosty the Snowman”.
Lively music and exciting solos were on the programme at the Calgary Jazz Orchestra's first concert for the 2012/13 season. This concert took place on Sunday, October 21, 2012 at the River Park Church in Calgary, Alberta. The William Aberhart Jazz Ensemble, directed by Kevin Willms took to the stage first, performing three numbers. The first was "Hay Burner" by composer and big band arranger, Sammy Nestico, a mid-tempo number.
There are quite a few summer music festivals coming up in August, here in Calgary. Here is just a sampling of what's ahead:
Inglewood Sunfest (August 4): This annual event in Calgary's historic Inglewood is free. You can listen and watch various street performers, check out the local vendors and enjoy some great food.
Afrikadey (August 5 - 11): This annual festival celebrates the culture, traditions and music of Africa. This year's event features performances by Alpha Yaya Diallo, Emmanuel Jal, MFive and more. Tickets are available on the Afrikadey website.
Calgary ReggaeFest (August 15 - 18): In addition to live music by international Reggae musicians, attendees can enjoy food, arts and crafts and the beer garden. There are also plenty activities for children and youth, including basketball, sand magic and face painting. Featured artists include Amoy, Bryan Art, Cherine Anderson, Chester Miller, Hawkeye, Jermaine Cowan, J.k. & the Relays, Makeshift Innocence, New Kingston, Redeye Empire, Roots Syndicate, Souljah Fyah, and Ultimate Crew. Tickets are available for purchase from the event website.
Other festivals worth checking out include the Marda Gras (August 12), GlobalFest (August 16 - 26), and ExpoLatino (Aug. 24 - 26) . You can be sure there will be some live music to enjoy!
Special Note from Maestro: Fellow canines, be sure to check out Marda Gras! I scored lots of swag the last time I went. I also listened to some great jazz.
