I started piano lessons when in third grade at school; I was around eight years old at the time. I remember my first lesson. (For Victoria friends, my first teacher was Robin Wood – I lasted about three lessons): Right hand only — C D E - E F G - switch fingers 5/4 -... Continue Reading →
One word: Photography. My favourite activity when on holiday is taking pictures, no less so then during our extended staycation in Victoria, a five-week adventure that will end this coming weekend. Home feels good, but it’s been a blast in the meantime. I blogged a few photo shoots here. There are too many more to... Continue Reading →
https://youtu.be/hKgUxqXoc9M Today is the day that I will sit down and plan my own funeral, not the entire rite, but the music. Some will ask me if I am feeling poorly. Not at all. My arthritis continues to exert influence; hearing joins sight in disadvantage; diabetic management continues apace, and my memory fails increasingly each... Continue Reading →
Jazz Vespers returns to the South Okanagan, in Penticton on Sunday March 2 @ 4 p.m. at St. Saviour Anglican Church, 150 Orchard Ave. in Penticton. Church or no church, newcomer or longtime jazz enthusiast, friends of the band, whatever gets you off your couch, come on out. As for the band, Justin Glibbery is... Continue Reading →
Enough politics (for now). No more Juno dog blogs (until the new year). It’s time for some Christmas music, in particular, The 2024 St. Olaf Christmas Festival, "Our Hope for Years to Come." A compilation of this year’s three performances is now available for on-demand viewing throughout the holiday season here. A tradition since 1912,... Continue Reading →
I am so grateful for readers who send me ideas for blogs and other publications. So thank you Ray Fletcher and Karen Pidcock who each in their own way and time directed me to The Salisbury Organist, Ben Maton. Ben Maton loves music, and sacred music in particular. He loves rural England and the west... Continue Reading →
“Something magical happens when Michael Kaeshammer sits at the piano. Sure, like all pianists, he plays 12 notes across 88 keys. But the musician and songwriter coaxes dazzling, kaleidoscopic sounds from his instrument in a way few can rival.” Thursday night’s performance at Oliver’s Frank Venables Theatre (no bad seat in the house BTW) showed... Continue Reading →
From Mike Miltmore, CEO/Founder Riversong Guitars, Kamloops BC. Guitar Builder, Sound Engineer, Guitar Player & Lead Drummer Story shared on Facebook by our good friend, Nancy Bepple Mike Writes: “Today a friend came to the store as superman. It wasn’t a costume; it was what he and his wife did. A short story… The Kamloops... Continue Reading →
Summerland jazz musician Larry Crawford at a recent community centre concert event A guest blog by Susan NorieAnother in our “Little Town of Summerland” series Following a discussion covering the topic of Aging in the Arts at the Ryga Arts Festival (see Ken’s earlier blog) a broad spectrum of issues was covered at that discussion.... Continue Reading →
“ Two men, a neat freak and a slob separated from their wives, have to live together despite their differences.” And from here, the fun begins. [From Wiki] The Odd Couple) is an American sitcom television series broadcast from September 24, 1970, to March 7, 1975, on ABC. The show, which stars Tony Randall as... Continue Reading →
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 