Summer Jazz Series

Please post your reflections for the summer jazz series series here.

8 Responses to Summer Jazz Series

Rosanna says:

July 16, 2011 at 8:41 am

Sounds like I missed a wonderfull musical epidsode. Nonetheless it was wonderfull to be included in Cornett’s final gathering at Edmund and Danielle’s. What a treat it is to be aquainted with a walking talking breathing library. I admire Cornett’s ongoing dedication to academics and more importantly, undying excitement for the wonders of creativity. Keep it comin.

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Melodion says:

July 15, 2011 at 11:17 am

At the July 8th Friday night Musical Odyssey potluck we were treated to amazing video footage ranging from the 1930s to today of various incarnations of jazz and jazz influenced performances. While all the pieces were amazing and at times spell-binding, the one that stood out the most was one of the last performances on Billy Holiday and her friends. This high-quality 1957 film footage of she and a band of legendary greats dating back to the 1930s displayed some of the finest musicianship I’ve ever seen. It can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaZiijPbnP8, but the quality is choppy and blurred compared to the DVD. I am told this recording was done in studio, without the distraction of an audience. The result is a group of seasoned musicians who play to one another, who approach every note as a delicate craft, completely immersed, merged together by song. There is a purity and love here rarely seen. Not a single phrase or tone is overdone or understated. It is difficult to imagine them doing anything else – making and egg, shopping, reading the paper – as if they were gods in a perpetual performance. Almost all performances, most especially in pop, in more recent decades seem to be more about the musician than about the performance, more about the personality than the song. I too love show business and have paid to see many performers in love wth themselves, and had a great time. But what a treasure and a treat it was at the potluck to see and hear some of the greatest artists of the 20th century surrendering to their art, abandoning showmanship, merging with one another and a song, and forgetting about us.

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Santina Fazio says:

July 5, 2011 at 11:02 am

Although I was not very familiar with Susie’s work, I did recall hearing her singing briefly here and there- mainly on the radio. I pictured her as a tall willowy woman, very intense, very serious and serene. How very different she is in the flesh. Actually that was my initial reaction/ thought upon seeing her: in the flesh- very present and not some ethereal being up on a stage-above her audience. She is a funny, earthy, approachable person- honest, not afraid to make mistakes. Having said this , for me her singing voice still projects a serious , and intense person. How seemingly contradictory- but that is exactly what makes people so fascinating and Susie in particular. I know that I will be looking for her music , especially to hear Susie interpret some of my favourite songs such as ” The way you looked tonight. ” Has she recorded, “It had to be you,” “Send in the clowns?”

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Heart-strings says:

July 5, 2011 at 9:33 am

Susie, do you know Witold (Vito) Leonowicz?
My daughter just told me that her dad (Vito) knew you when you lived in Montreal …
Coincidence?
Barbara

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Heart-strings says:

July 5, 2011 at 8:26 am

Greetings!
Thank you, Susie Arioli for joining Dr. Cornett’s dialogic close-up and personal last night, July 4th at the Beaux-arts des Ameriques in Montreal. Unfortunately I missed your concert in Montreal, on July 2nd, and actually, last night was my first introduction to your music and personal charm. I love that you sing Cole Porter! I am not an expert on jazz, but I know that when I am moved by a piece of music or voice, I automatically become a fan!
Barbara

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Félix Stüssi says:

July 4, 2011 at 9:12 pm

The first annual jamming at St-James United Church was, in my ears, a successful juxtaposition of three different musical approaches… Very refreshing! To be continued! I am thankful for having been part of it! Musically yours. félix

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HAL says:

July 1, 2011 at 6:21 pm

I’ve been participating in the Summer Series led by Dr. Cornett since June 20th. This series, aptly named A Musical Odyssey, has certainly taken us on an interesting journey and it’s not yet over. It’s the second musical dialogic series I’ve participated in and the fourth series in all. Anyone who is interested in exploring and discovering different art forms & cultural expressions — or simply to enjoy the incredible opportunity of being part of a group of people engaging in stimulating discussions — needs to attend one of these sessions at least once! it is an extraordinary experience for the soul as well as the ears. Our first dialogic guest, Alexandre Da Costa delighted us with his frankness and exuberance. I learned about the incredible power of the violin to stir something mostly inaccessible…while listening to Alexandre playing his instrument in “Concerto par violino e orquestra” I was transported to peaks & valleys of incredible vistas…and beauty. The best part of all was standing so close to a 320-year old violin that I actually felt it’s vibration inside my body!!!! These opportunities to be with artists whose music we’ve listened to or read without knowing who they were at first is quite priceless. Stay tuned for more comments…….

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Maureen L. says:

June 26, 2011 at 10:49 pm

Thank you to Alexandre Da Costa for generously sharing with us his insights about so many aspects of his artistic life and career – performing, managing the business side of music, family influences, recordings, the loan of an extraordinary violin as well as some background about the history of violin building.

Articulate and committed, he delivered much information in 2 short hours and it was a pleasure to take part. Thank you, Dr. Cornett for making this possible.

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