musings...

Back from Iceland for a few weeks now, still mulling over the visit occasionally: the northern darkness, the majestic mountains, the sense of isolation, mid-winter boredom, the joy of being with my daughters Hanna and Naomi, the prices, THE PRICES

Well, Toronto is vast and vastly cheaper and I am vastly busier.... There are spikes of excellent fun, such as the gig I just did recently at the Distillery District with Jamie MacPherson on banjo and Don Tiffany on trumpet. The idea was for us to be strolling minstrels but that's a bit tough to execute on a sleety Toronto December day. We ended up playing a few tunes outside to a few frost-bitten bystanders, then dipped in and out of different stores and played tunes of Christmas cheer and jazzy bend. A great time was had by all, including the guys in the band. Don's joie-de-vivre is infectious as he greets all and sundry, coaxing Satchmo-like growls from his trumpet. Jamie is a superbly talented musician, a Canadian national banjo champion. A pleasure to work with these fellows, despite the inclement weather. See my gig listings - we're doing it again this Sunday (December 19)
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Don - Jamie - GG
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Other gigs are more routine, though even on the routine gigs, when the audience is not very attentive and the waitstaff indifferent, I keep this thought at the top of my mind: this is way better than any 9 - 5 gig out there.

Have now played two or three gigs with Amy Rivard. Not only is she a talented singer but she is also very eager to work and knows how to promote and hustle. Yippee! A chick singer with a cardinal difference, baby!

No xmas blues this year - at least not so far. No tree, no gifts, no cards, no blues. Last night I lit the last Hanukka candle and then realized I was making myself ham and eggs for dinner. Something wrong with the picture....