Uncategorized

I say this a lot… I’m feeling blessed.  My first time at the Vernon Jazz Club was phenomenal for me.  First of all, I got to play with some of the most fabulously talented gentlemen in the business.  Secondly, there was a super love receiving audience.  Many people don’t think about it, but while we’re up on stage and you’re watching us, we’re also watching you.  So I saw your faces and those in attendance were so into what we were creating for the evening it really added to the ambience.  Finally, I learned so much (as I always do) about life in performance and off stage.  Many thanks to our ring leader Justin Glibbery, horn master Michael Perkins , AND Stefan Bienz and Mike Treadway who keep us on track…

Don Wade’s Sax Among Friends Featuring Don Wade on Saxophone, Mel Zachary playing keys and me singing, played live at the Cherry Lane Shopping Centre food court.  For the past 4 years, we have shared one hour of Christmas music with all the bustling shoppers and quickie lunchers at the Food Court.  We’ve had many beautiful moments spreading cheer and in return, many people in our community gave their gratatudes to our collection hat for Live Music in Senior Homes.  With the generousity of this community,  Sax Among Friends will be performing many more concerts for the seniors all around.   My heart is full!

OH MY GOODNESS!!! I just performed the BEST show I’ve ever done!  After many moons of longing to play at the esteemed Dream Cafe, I did it… twice!  I wrote my name down in the guest artist log and cheered for joy.  First with the Justin Glibbery Quintet and then with the Allan Crossley Quartet.  The whole thing was amazing.  From the front end staff to the delicious food prepared from the kitchen to the loving and appreciative audience, the whole experience was superb!  AND the music… well, what can I say, we sure put on a great show.  The boys were ON it and I felt we sold the audience on these songs we’ve come to love.  I cannot say enough about the songs on this album we’ve created.  How it all started was that Larry Crawford brought along an instrumental song to play at one of our shows at Zias Stonehouse Restaurant, La Nina Melancolica.  Debi, his wife, said that she could just about hear words to it and that someone should put their mind to it.  Well, Allan Crossley took that as a challenge and the first song of the CD was born.  From there, Larry kept passing songs to Allan who would write the lyrics and then send them to me to learn.  And so the CD progressed.  The studio experience was my favourite part of the process and I hope we get to do that again. We decided that Images of You would be the title track mainly because one of my favourite things about this band, music aside, is that we are all very dedicated to our own spouses and the song come from our hearts.  enjoy…

Casual Pairings was a great event!  Wine Crush Market brought breads, mustards and a most curious pizza… Their products are made from, literally, wine crush.  Grape seeds and skins are dried and crushed into powder form then made into all kinds of things.  The results were unanimous: delicious!  Mel and I had a great time digging into some “old” Valentini’s songs.  All of the winery dogs behaved as well as could be expected with yummy food around, and no one howled at Howling Bluff Estate Winery.  Well, only me…

I finally had my first diva entrance thanks to my buddies, Sax Among Friends.  I came in my roadie gear to set up early.  Then went home and dressed to the nines!  Well, when at the wine bar, only the best will do.  And besides… when else am I going to wear my beautiful red satiny number?  After the boys played a couple of tunes, I swept in with my bling and gloves to boot.  There’s something amazing, for me, about singing at the Inn… It might be that I’ve made friends with all the spirits who dwell there.  It might be the fact that I spent many many nights polishing cutlery and singing to myself in the dining room.  It might just be that every little thing lined up just right.  Whatever it was, Don Wade, Mel Zachary, Peter Trill and I gave it our all.  Our beautiful audience was mostly made up of locals who love supporting us and the inn.  I was pleased that a handful of tables were staying at the Naramata Centre.  I just LOVE nights like these when the audience is very appreciative because it really helps me to remember why I love singing jazz…

The Allan Crossley Duo featuring Yanti played this weekend at Sumac Ridge Estate Winery.   The thunder rolled as we came up the driveway to set up our equipment but despite the rain, thunder and cold, we played from 1-4pm with only a few breaks so Allan could run his hands under hot water!  Most everyone had a great big smile on their faces as they came around the corner and saw us singing in the rain… all except the few hopefuls freezing in their summer dresses and sandals.  This was the second year I’ve played for this event and it was a great treat to sing along side of Allan Crossley.  Sunday turned out to be a glorious day.  The sun was out and blue skies all the way!   When I play with Allan, we always add songs to our repertoire.  This time around, we added Smile by Charlie Chaplain.  I really loved singing this song this weekend and watching the reactions from the audience.  Somehow, this song of hope touches people’s hearts and evokes tears of joy and gladness.  I am absolutely pooped from the weekend, but so grateful to be able to sing for a living…

I am feeling grateful for the abundance we have in this community.  Over the course of 3 1/2 months, a melting pot of hundreds of people donated to the Great Naramata Recycled Clothes Sale.  This Fill-A-Bag* (*grocery bag) for $5 fundraiser for the Naramata PAC, starts in Yanti’s home in January and finishes up at the Naramata’s BIG Garage Sale Saturday around Earth Day at the end of April.  This year we raised a record over $2000 as hundreds of people visited the Naramata Elementary School Gym from 9am-2pm…  And the money is still trickling in as people got their treasures home and realized what a deal they got and are stopping by the school to donate a bit more for their new favourite outfit!
This year under the direction of Tiffany Hoolaef and Alicia Walker, NES’s leadership group merchandised and sold over $300 dollars of designer and almost new clothes generously donated for the purpose of this leadership group.  This was such a success that we will continue with the “Me 2 We” Garage Sale next year.
Super many thanks to EVERYONE, and there were many, who contributed time, money and clothes to help make a difference in our village’s school.
Cheers!