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.

Johnny Summers "Piano Sessions Vol. 1" CD Release Party March 2013

If you love jazz and you live in Calgary, come out to Johnny Summers' upcoming CD release party. Deets as follows: Date: March 16th 2013

Calgary CD release concert for Johnny's new recording "The Piano Sessions Volume 1"

featuring Chris Andrew, piano

Special guests Al Muirhead, Shane Statz, and The Polyjesters Jason and Sheldon Valleau!

Tickets will be on sale soon.

Johnny Summers is the director of the Calgary Jazz Orchestra.

Here's my CD review.

Here's a video of Johnny in performance:

Music Blogs Worth Checking Out

Now that I've successfully migrated my blogs from Blogspot to Wordpress, my hands are full with cleaning posts up from the back-end - checking and updating links, tags and the like - before I can get back to the happy task of writing music reviews, interviews with fellow musicians and feature articles. In the meantime, please check out these music blogs which will keep you updated on upcoming music events in your area:

• CBC Music Blog

• CKUA Music Blog

• FFWD Weekly's Upcoming Events Blog

Do you have any music blogs that you like to check out? Please share them!

Concert Review of CJO's A Perfectly Frank Christmas 2012

The Calgary Jazz Orchestra performed a sold-out concert at River Park Church in Calgary, Alberta on Sunday, December 23, 2012. From “You Don't Know Me” to “Frosty the Snowman”, the CJO presented varied palette of big band jazz, Frank Sinatra standards and Christmas favourites. The warm up act for this Christmas show was the University of Calgary Jazz Orchestra, directed by Dr. Jeremy Brown. The jazz group performed Fred Sturm's arrangement of Radiohead's “Bodysnatchers”, Bobby Watson's “Fuller Love” (Arr. Dan Keberle) and Jerry Nowak's “Frosty the Snowman”.

Christmas Classics and Sinatra Standards at CJO's Christmas Concert

The emcee for the 2012 edition of “A Perfectly Frank Christmas” was CJO bassist Kodi Hutchinson. In addition to playing for various ensembles, Kodi is the host of “A Time for Jazz” on CKUA Radio.

The jazz band performed seven songs in the first set: “O Tanenbaum”, Harry Connick Jr.'s “It Must've Been Old Santa Claus”, Cole Porter's “I've Got You Under My Skin”, Frank Loesser's “Baby It's Cold Outside”, Jay Livingson & Ray Evans' “Silver Bells”, Jerry Herman's “We Need a Little Christmas”, Eddy Arnold & Cindy Walker's “You Don't Know Me” and Jule Styne & Sammy Cahn's “The Christmas Waltz”.

One highlight was Desiree Arthur's and Johnny Summers singing “Baby It's Cold Outside”. Their voices blended together very well, weaving and soaring. Dr. Jeremy Brown on sax and Al Muirhead on trumpet, danced and intertwined during the interlude. Desiree is from New West Symphony & Chorus.

Another focal point was crowd favourite, Hazel Proctor. The 2007 Senior Star Competition Winner simply shone with “Silver Bells”. Her rich, warm tone drew cheers and whistles throughout her performance. Egor Ukoloff's piano solo traversed the keyboard with crunchy chords and sparkly runs. Al's trumpet solo started with a simple melody which became more embellished with each pass, while Dean Yeat's trombone solo created waves that started gently but grew in intensity.

“You Don't Know Me” gave the audience a preview of Johnny's upcoming jazz CD release, entitled “Piano Sessions”. A very soulful, intimate mood was set by his vocals and the rhythm section. This was soon followed by the saxophones playing a slow gospel riff against runs up and down the piano.

Egor's solo created a myriad of colours. He began with easygoing chords played against a dancing melodic line. Chords, shakes and glissandos helped to build the intensity. This number showcased Johnny's wide dynamic and vocal range – from soft and intimate to powerful and impassioned.

The CJO closed with a “The Christmas Waltz”, which opened with the saxes before leading into Johnny on vocals with the rhythm section. The muted trumpets gave way to arpeggiated chords in the piano. Shane Statz's sax solo set an easygoing pace, weaving a meandering line before the ensemble swelled to a fortissimo, followed by silence. Kodi and Johnny led the Waltz's transition to a faster tempo. The changes in the texture made this an enjoyable arrangement to listen to.

Heebee-Jeebees, Toe Tappin' Swing and More Christmas Hits Performed by the CJO

The Heebee Jeebees, a Calgary-based a cappella group, opened up the second set of The Calgary Jazz Orchestra's “A Perfectly 'Frank' Christmas”. The group opened with an upbeat version “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”.

The CARA Award winning quartet continued with a Flintstones inspired rendition of “Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree”. Johnny Summers joined the quartet in singing “I Pray on Christmas” as Egor Ukoloff played along to this medium gospel number.

The Calgary Jazz Orchestra performed five songs in the second set, including Harry Connick Jr.'s “Frosty the Snowman” and “Song for the Hopeful”. This was followed by Sammy Cahn's “Come Fly with Me”, Hugh Martin's “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and Jack Fox's “Zat You, Santa Claus?” Desiree Arthur returned to the stage for “Song for the Hopeful” while Toe Tappin' Swing moved fluidly along the floor in time to “Come Fly with Me”.

One highlight was Al Muirhead's arrangement of “Frosty”. Greg Baker laid down a fast Latin groove on the drums, accented by “squeals” from Johnny's trumpet, which soon gave way to his vocals. Dean Yeats played a really funky countermelody against Johnny's embellished solo. The entire jazz orchestra joined in to chant “Thumpity-thump-thump”.

Another fun number was “Come Fly with Me”. The entire ensemble cast a playful and nostalgic mood with this medium swing number. Matthew Isenor and Robin Nunnally of Toe Tappin' Swing cut the rug with their nimble footwork and twirls.

Before the final number, the audience learned about “Call a Tune”, which members of the CJO sometimes play at the end of a gig. One musician calls out a tune. They choose a key and a tempo, then everyone present plays or sings along. This led to impromptu performances of “Happy Birthday”, “Jingle Bells” and “White Christmas” involving the audience.

The Calgary Jazz Orchestra closed with “Zat You, Santa Claus?” This medium swing tune showcased catchy lyrics. It featured Johnny Summers on vocals and trumpet, Brian Walley on trombone and Kodi Hutchinson on bass.

The Calgary Jazz Orchestra received a standing ovation, complete with cheers, whistles and shouts for an encore. The CJO complied, performing “O Holy Night”.

The next CJO performance is on February 23, 2013 at 18 Degrees of Jazz Gala for Big Brothers & Big Sisters. For more information on the Calgary Jazz Orchestra, visit the CJO's website. Tickets may be purchased online or in person at Anacrusis Music.

The Calgary Jazz Orchestra performed to a packed house on Sunday, December 23, 2012 at River Park Church in Calgary. Big band arrangements were done by Al Muirhead, Paul Ashwell, Greg Baker and Johnny Summers. Guests included the UofC Jazz Orchestra, Desiree Arthur, Hazel Proctor, the Heebee Jeebees and Toe Tappin' Swing.

This Christmas show, packed with stock Sinatra songs and Christmas music, was extremely entertaining, diverse and well played. Most, if not all members of the audience, were singing, tapping and cheering for more.