World Music Exploration - Jai Ho

Around this time of year, things get really hectic. That final crunch before music festivals and exams means that my students and I are in performance mode for the rest of the year. Blogging, sadly, falls to the back burner.

But not forgotten! Here's last week's clip.

My students and I concluded our musical journey to India with some Bollywood fusion. Here's Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny) from the Oscar-winning movie, Slumdog Millionaire:

When I asked my students what makes this a fusion, some of them (accurately) cited instrumentation and rhythm. 

(c) 2012 by Musespeak(TM) . All rights reserved.

Calgarian Johnny Summers Snags Best Film Score Nomination at AFTA

Calgary-based musician, Johnny Summers has been nominated for an award at the upcoming 2012 Annual Alberta Film & Television Awards.

Nominated for the Best Original Musical Score: Drama Award for the featured length film, Burlesque Assassins, slated to be released this spring. The award show, which will take place on May 12, celebrates excellence in Alberta film, television and new media.

“Burlesque Assassins was an exciting project to work on,” said Summers. “There were so many skilled people working on this film. It was an honour to have worked alongside them especially since it was my first score written for a full-length featured film. I can’t wait for movie to be released this spring.”

 Burlesque Assassins is a WWII drama by Canadian writer/director Jonathan Joffe. It is his first feature length film.

 Summers is a professional trumpeter, vocalist, composer and arranger. He performs with various ensembles such as the Johnny Summers Little Big Band and his quartet. He has been the director of the Calgary Jazz Orchestra and written half of music for the ensemble for the past eight years, and leads his own solo music career, performing across Canada. He is an active recording artist, who most recently recorded with children’s music icon, Raffi.

 Summers is also a professional race car driver.