Fingering is Important

One of my students is learning the Piano Guys' arrangement of "All of Me". We thought this warning was pretty hilarious, not to mention true.

Here's the piece. See you if can find the "fingering or die" part:

Want to hear more? Click on the Piano Guys CD to check out their CD's:

Sherry Kennedy's Little Secret CD Release Concert

Calgary singer-songwriter Sherry Kennedy and friends delivered captivating and electric performances on February 7 and 8, 2013 at the Engineered Air Theatre in the EPCOR Centre for Performing Arts. The event was a CD Release Party to introduce Kennedy's latest album, Little Secret. The CD marks Kennedy's tenth and is her first country album to be released in Canada. Little Secret was recorded at Sound Control Studio in Nashville, TN and she worked with "Magic Man" Mark Moseley.

The CD Release Party also featured Calgary musicians Derek Stoll (bass/musical director), Dave Hamilton (electric guitar/acoustic guitar), Keith Day (keyboards), Gavin Sorochan (drums), Denis Dufresne (acoustic guitar/mandolin) and Barbara Olorenshaw (fiddle). Lisa Ryan, Gemira McClary, Maureen MacDonald and Chris Herard lent their talents as back up vocalists, while Artists Elite lit up the stage with some fancy footwork.

Healing Art of Music Foundation Bursary Recipient Irene Sommerville Performs at Little Secret CD Release Party

CBC Daybreak host Russell Bowers introduced a very special opening act to an appreciative audience, Irene Sommerville. She is the first recipient of a bursary offered by The Healing Art of Music Foundation.

Irene has been diagnosed with Rieger's Syndrome, which has presented her with several health challenges. It doesn't hold her back from pursuing her dreams. She delivered a confident performance of Big Deal and God Bless the Child, which was not only delightful to hear but also an inspiration to everyone in the theatre.

Sherry Kennedy Performs Country, Rock and Ballads at Little Secret's CD Release Party

One highlight of the evening was "Wild Night". This R & B number showed off how tight the ensemble was. Derek Stoll laid down some cool licks, while Gavin Sorochan got into the driving grooves on drums. On stage left, some really neat call and response action was happening between David Hamilton and CCMA Award winner Denis Dufresne. That gave Sherry Kennedy and her back up vocalists free rein to really cut loose with the driving melodies.

Written by renowned country songwriter Richard Fagan, "Here After" is a catchy two-step. It topped the country music charts in Denmark on New Year's. I wouldn't be surprised if it makes the country music charts here in Canada.

Sherry shared with the audience how incredible she found the experience of working with some of the people in Nashville to record Little Secret. She then expressed her appreciation of the musicians who shared the stage with her at the CD release. "I am honoured to be with these players tonight," she said. "They are my 'Sweet Inspiration' ." At the song title, the band launched into this 1968 soul hit single, which featured a funky mandolin solo from Denis.

The ensemble performed another three songs in the first half of the show. "Think of Me" is a toe-tapping two-step. "The Legend of Rainbow Powers", is a ballad inspired by one of the "characters" from Sherry's hometown or Fort Macleod. They closed Part 1 with "Sugar in My Bowl".

Don't Touch Me, Please - Music Video World PremiereFeatured at Little Secret CD Release Party

The second half of the show opened with the "Don't Touch Me, Please" music video world premiere. Shot in Turner Valley, Alberta, the video showcases the breathtaking beauty of rural Alberta in the winter as well as the velvety warmth of Sherry's tone. The refrain contains a beautiful earworm that stuck in mind's of several audience members for hours after the show.

For the second half of the show, Sherry and her back-up singers changed from svelte black to fiery red outfits. This marked a switch to more songs about love and passion.

Dancers from Artists Elite two-stepped, teased and twirled on-stage to "Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean". Keith Day set the keys on fire during his keyboard solo.

Another highlight was "Do You Love Him". This steamy blues number was written by Sherry Kennedy. The back up vocalists crooned beautifully in support of Sherry's passionate melody.

Part Two featured four more songs, including a rousing' performance of "Sisters Are Doing it for Themselves", "If Only" and the title track, "Little Secret". For an encore, Sherry performed "Don't Touch Me, Please". This featured some wonderfully melancholy strains from Dave and Denis on guitar.

Staging and synchronization was top notch for the show. What you didn't see were the looks of pleasure on the musicians' faces as they enjoyed the music they made together - the little smiles, the nods and looks of appreciation after a well-played lick. You missed how Barbara Olorenshaw improvised beautifully in more than the four songs that called for fiddle and how electrifying the synergy was amongst all the musicians. It was a great show.

About Sherry Kennedy

Sherry Kennedy is a Calgary-based songwriter, recording artist, entertainer, actress and vocal coach with over 20 years in the music business. She's a versatile performer. From musical theatre to jazz, and from R & B to country, Sherry enjoys performing in these diverse musical styles and more.

Her music has been played in over 15 countries and she has been on music charts in Europe for over 15 years. Sherry has toured 12 countries, including Australia, Norway, Japan and the USA.

About The Healing Art of Music Foundation Calgary

An avid painter, Sherry Kennedy has merged her two passions in 2011 with the establishment of The Healing Art of Music Foundation. She has worked with musicians from all walks of life, some, like Irene Sommerville, have blossomed against adversity due to the impact of music. "My intention is to use the knowledge, passion and the skills that I have to assist anyone with the desire to experience the "magic" of music," says Sherry on her website.

Sherry Kennedy's paintings have garnered commercial success. Proceeds from her artwork go towards running the HAMF.

Sherry Kennedy's newest CD, Little Secret is available on CD Baby and iTunes:

Johnny Summers - Piano Sessions Vol. 1 Album Review

Johnny Summers' third album, Piano Sessions Volume 1, showcases his versatility as a musician and presents a diverse mix of musical genres. From swing to ballad and from honky-tonk to blues, there is something for every music aficionado to enjoy.

The album also features Chris Andrew on the piano and several special guests, including a capella group The Polyjesters, Jason Valleau (bass/vocals), Sheldon Valleau (ukulele/vocals), Shane Statz (tenor sax), Johanna Silanpaa (vocals), Kodi Hutchinson (bass) and Al Muirhead (trumpet).

Johnny Summers is a Calgary-based vocalist and trumpeter. He is also the founder and music director of the Calgary Jazz Orchestra. Johnny  runs Summertime Music.

Piano Sessions Volume 1 Highlights

The opening track, "I Wonder, I Wonder" is an easygoing swing number. A short introduction is played by Chris Andrew, Jason Valleau on bass and Sheldon Valleau on ukelele before the rest of the ensemble joins in. The Polyjesters' "oohs" add a touch of doo-wop to the mix. Chris' weaving lines and shakes on the piano dance playfully around Summers' smoky vocals. Summers' trumpet solo ebbs and flows as gently as the Pacific Ocean while watching a peaceful sunset at the beach.

Chris Andrews opens "Folsom Prison Blues" with a slightly dissonant chord and shakes before steadily gathering steam as the train (er song) pulls out. Johnny Summers and Shane Statz add some train whistles sounds on the trumpet and tenor sax respectively.  They take a slower pace than Johnny Cash does. The slightly slower tempo enables the ensemble to deliver a more soulful interpretation and bend the notes more. The transition from the sax to the trumpet solo is seamlessly done.

"Simple Song" is simply stunning. From the tender opening laid down by Chris Andrews, this ballad unfolds one layer at a time. The heartfelt lyrics start gently and gradually grow in passion. For claiming to not be as fancy as Shakespeare or Van Gogh, it's downright eloquent. Gentlemen, this is the perfect song to play for the special woman in your life on Valentine' Day:

Vocalist Johanna Sillanpaa joins Johnny in singing a playful arrangement "Exactly Like You". Their vocals blend together beautifully in this delightful jazz standard. Kodi Hutchinson and Chris Andrew provide catchy, rhythmic comping throughout.

The final track "Going Home", is based on the second movement theme from Antonin Dvořák's New World Symphony. Johnny Summers' phrasing on the trumpet is smooth and soulful. Chris' solo nails the melancholy tone of this beautiful theme.

Piano Sessions Volume 1 Track Listing

1. I Wonder, I Wonder - Cecil Gant (3:41)

2. She Thinks I Still Care - George Jones (5:51)

3. Maybe This Time - John Kander, Fred Ebb (5:36)

4. Dream a Little Dream of Me - Fabian Andre, Wilbur Schwandt, Gus Kahn (3:22)

5. Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny Cash (3:53)

6. My Baby Just Cares for Me - Walker Donaldson, Gus Kahn (3:16)

7. Simple Song - Johnny Summers (4:21)

8. Exactly Like You - Jimmy McHugh, Dorothy Fields (2:41)

9. You Don't Know Me - Cindy Walker, Eddie Arnold (5:44)

10. I'm an Errand Boy for Rhythm - Nat King Cole (4:09)

11. Going Home - William Arms Fisher, Antonin Dvořák (4:30)

Genres: jazz, blues, gospel, funk, swing, ballad, honky-tonk Label: Summertime Music Cover Design by FLIPP.ca Photography by Michael Stellmach

Piano Sessions Volume 1 Review

The balance and sound quality on Piano Sessions Volume 1 album is just beautiful. Not one voice is out of balance. Superb. The variety of musical styles represented gives new listeners a taste of each style, without offering too much of any one genre. The musicians all work well together, that is, they sound good together and complement one another. That's the byproduct of everyone involved having worked together before.

If anything, this album makes me excited to hear more of Johnny Summers' original works. If they are like "Simple Song", I can't wait for the next release.

Johnny Summers Piano Sessions CD Release

The CD release for Piano Sessions Volume 1 is on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. at the University of Calgary in the Eckhardt-Gramatte Hall, Rozsa Centre. Tickets go on sale February 15 at the U of C Campus Ticket Centre.

To purchase an advance copy of Piano Sessions Volume 1, come out to a Calgary Jazz Orchestra performance on Sunday, February 10, 2013 or Saturday, February 23, 2013. Alternatively, you may contact Johnny Summers at Summertime Music.

March 11, 2013 update:

Johnny Summers' upcoming release, Piano Sessions Volume 1 recently won two Global Music Awards for Best Male Vocalist and Best Listener Impact. The album is currently available on CD Baby and will be available on iTunes on March 16, 2013.

Getting the Hang of Affiliate Programs

My post-blog migration clean-up is still ongoing. It's amazing how many dead links I've been discovering or missing video links. Updating every single blog post I've made since 2005 is a HUGE undertaking. However, in addition to it being a fun trip down memory lane, it has been a great opportunity to explore affiliate marketing.

As I mentioned in an earlier in Sheet Music Plus and Passive Income Streams, I've waded into the pool of affiliate marketing. Simply put, whenever I review or recommend a product, as an affiliate or associate, I get my own personal URL to that product. I don't believe in endorsing products I'm not keen on, so I will share with you materials that either my students, fellow teachers and I have found useful. Or in the case of album reviews, my aim is to introduce you to music you may not be familiar with and to promote local musicians.

Hopefully, you find them useful, or at least intriguing. If you do, then click on the link and then order away. Yes, affiliate marketers get a small commission for each completed sale. However, that all adds up in the long run.

One thing I have noticed as I clean up and update my blog posts is that there's an open field of opportunity. Each time I share a great performance with my students and readers or each time I reflect upon interesting pieces, I can share with you a link to make it easier for you to hunt down the music. It's a win-win situation.

How has it been working? Well, as with any passive income stream, it takes time to build and I've only been at it for a couple of weeks. However, I'm pleased to report that at least two people have purchased music I recommended just this week via sheetmusicplus.com .

I leave you with a funny blog post that I updated this morning, called "Angry Piano Music". I had a good chuckle remembering my female students who came in a string, asking specifically for "angry music" to play. It was a huge stress reliever for them!

Angry Piano Music

A few weeks ago, two of my female students (one pre-teen, one teen), were going through a rough week. When we talked about the songs they are currently working on, we came to the realization that there was a gaping hole in their repertoire: they didn't have any " angry" music. When I told them that "angry" piano music does exist, they asked for some to work on.The more advanced student is currently working through Robert Starer's "Crimson" from his Sketches in Color. The 7/8 time signature is delightfully lopsided and it's all fast and furious.

After speaking with some colleagues and conducting a quick Google search, I found a few more titles to add to the list:

look inside

Allegro Barbaro Piano Solo. Composed by Bela Bartok (1881-1945). Edited by Laszlo Somfai. Sheet Music. Paperbound. Henle Music Folios. Classical. Softcover. 12 pages. G. Henle #HN1400. Published by G. Henle (HL.51481400).

look inside

Piano Sonata No. 7, Op. 83 Piano Solo. Composed by Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953). Piano. Classical, Contemporary, Russian, Sonata. 32 pages. Sikorski #SIK2178. Published by Sikorski (HL.50483889).

look inside

Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 2 (Moonlight) Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827). Edited by Murray Perahia and Norbert Gertsch. Arranged by Murray Perahia. Sheet music. Paperbound. Henle Music Folios. Classical. Softcover. 28 pages. G. Henle #HN1062. Published by G. Henle (HL.51481062).

look inside

Three Piano Pieces, Op. 11 Composed by Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951). 20th Century. Score. 11. Published by Belmont Music Publishers (BE.BEL-1034).

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Danzas Argentinas Opus 2 For Piano with an introduction by Gerald Hugon. Composed by Alberto Ginastera (1916-1983). BH Piano. Classical. Softcover. 32 pages. Published by Boosey & Hawkes (HL.48024360).

If you would like to contribute to this list of angry music, please feel free to post a comment.

I am still trying to find some angry music for my Grade 1 student. She's going to ask her mother to get her some Avril Lavigne sheet music though, so that will help channel her angst.

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