Highlights from the 2013 Calgary Omatsuri

The 2013 Calgary Japanese Festival - the Calgary Omatsuri - has come and gone. It was a splendid event, with a wide range of programming, entertainment and demonstrations to give attendees of a taste of Japanese culture, history and traditions. We could not have asked for a better day. It was sunny (most of the time) and it was hot on August 17, 2013.

As I mentioned in my last post, Omatsuri Entertainment Director, Kathleen "Irulanne" Boucher asked me to document the Japanese Festival and to interview as many performers as I could. It made for a long day, but I had a blast! たのしかった です。

I did a bit of an experiment with the recording. My gear for the day comprised of my GoPro Hero2 camera, my keitai (used as a wi-fi remote/viewing screen) and my Zoom H2 portable recorder (used as an external microphone). The fish eye effect was rather neat with the GoPro. I even managed to film while dancing the Tanko Bushi, although I got motion sickness from just watching the clip when I started moving the camera as a shovel. Not to worry, I didn't include that part in my vlog.

The interviews were great. I managed to interview Martial Simard (shakuhachi), Dave Rathnow, Roku-Dan Iaido practitioner and instructor at Shin Ken Kai Nobara, Midnight Taiko Kai, Mizue Asai-Kaufmann and Kaori Akiyama (koto players), Anything Goes, the Kotobuki Senior Group, two musicians from the Jpop and Anime Talent Show and finally, the Minyo Dancers from Lethbridge, They will form the next few posts.

I was quite sad to hear that the the sword making demonstration was cancelled. In hindsight, it would have been very difficult for me to cover that session AND all the programming outside.

The children's games, such as this one pictured below, sold out quickly:

Inside, there were several booths, showcasing Japanese handcrafts, tea, snacks and the Calgary Japanese Community Association's history project: Okage Sama De ("I Am Because of You"). Some of the events that took place inside included an ikebana demonstration as well as a green tea presentation.

Making its debut at the Calgary Omatsuri was the Shogun Grill Food Truck, run by the family that owns Foster's Bakery. The takoyaki was so flavourful and tender:

Gomen! I forgot to take a food porn shot of my okonomiyaki and my mochi balls.

All right, without further ado, here's my first vlog of Calgary Omatsuri highlights on my new otaku/geek awesomeness channel on YouTube, ChibiSamuraiTV:

Where to Find Lead Sheets and Fake Books Online

Fake books and lead sheets are used by many musicians, from amateurs to professionals. They provide music makers with a springboard for embellishing or improvising solo or in collaboration. They also provide musicians an opportunity to practice their keyboard harmony skills.

What is a Fake Book? What is a Lead Sheet?

look inside

The Ultimate Fake Book - 5th Edition C Edition. Composed by Various. Hal Leonard Fake Books. Standards, Pop, Country and Rock. Fakebook (spiral bound). With vocal melody, lyrics and chord names. 808 pages. Published by Hal Leonard (HL.240024).

A lead sheet is an arrangement of a musical score that contains the melody, lyrics and chord symbols. According to Blake Neely, “The accompaniment part of the song is left to you, the performer. You have to ‘fake’ your own accompaniment or arrangement.” (Neely, Blake. How to Play from a Fake Book, Keyboard Edition. Milwaukee: Hal Leonard Corporation, 1999).

Fake books or “real books” contain hundreds of lead sheets. There are fake books for classical music, wedding music, pop and rock, ethnic music, jazz, Latin music, and more.

Buy Fake Books Online

Most music retailers carry a selection of fake books. Larger retailers are equipped to handle online purchases.

Musicians can also order fake books directly from music publishers, such as the Hal Leonard Corporation. Online book retailers, such as Amazon or Barnes & Noble, also carry fake books.

Free Lead Sheets Online

Various websites offer free lead sheets online legally. Free sheet music that is legal falls under the Free Art License, which "grants the right to freely copy, distribute, and transform creative works without infringing the author's rights."(Free Art License 1.3, accessed July 6, 2010).

This is a small selection of lead sheets posted by the original arrangers:

Wikifonia is a site where musicians can share their lead sheet arrangements. There is a wide variety of music available, including pop, jazz and rock. Visitors can transpose the arrangement prior to printing and make requests for an arrangement to be made.

Sibelius Music contains over 94,000 scores on its website. There are lead sheets available for pop, rock, jazz and worship music. Viewers can listen to musical selections as well as transpose lead sheets prior to printing. Scorch software is required to view the scores properly.

ChordMusic.net contains over 1,800 songs for chord piano, keyboard, guitar, and voice. Musicians can find music by ABBA, Elvis and the Beatles. The site also contains a chord finder. A small donation is required prior to downloading these lead sheets.

Things to Watch for When Downloading Free Lead Sheets

There are two things to watch out for when searching for free sheet music online: illegal scans of copyrighted scores, and poor arrangements.

While a transcription shared freely by the arranger is legal, scanning a lead sheet that is copyrighted by someone else is not. Musicians should inspect the music score carefully to confirm its authenticity. Fuzzy quality is a sign of photocopying or scanning.

Prior to downloading free lead sheets, it is prudent to review several different arrangements. Musicians should check the chord symbols and rhythms to see if these elements are consistent (they should be close). Some lead sheets will contain simplified chords. Music students should consult with their music teacher if they require assistance in this area.

Fake books and lead sheets provide musicians with a road map to follow as they explore embellishing and improvisation. Whether they are playing solo or in a group, fake books and lead sheets can offer musicians countless hours of repertoire and enjoyment.

Originally published on Suite101.com on July 6, 2010. Updated August 7, 2013.

The Moving Instant at The BeatNiq Review, February 4 and 5, 2011

Grunge met jazz, jazz rock, bebop and gospel when the The Moving Instant, took to the stage at The BeatNiq Jazz and Social Club on Friday, February 4, 2011. They performed a number of original compositions and standards.

The group, comprised of Jason Graham, Stefano Valdo and Gavin Sorochan looked at home on stage at The BeatNiq Jazz and Social Club when they performed. The jazz fusion trio welcomed guest musician Steve Fletcher on keyboards.

Grunge, Bebop and Mindblowing Licks in the First Set

“Track 1”, written by Jason Graham is a jazz rock number that was reminiscent of some classic Santana songs. While Graham's solo on electric guitar was edgy and very rock influenced, Steve Fletcher's hummingbird-like solo contained elements of bebop.

“I'm a product of the grunge era,” admitted Graham before playing another original work called “Facelift”. He confessed to the audience that he grew up listening to the Stone Temple Pilots and other influential grunge bands. “Facelift” was the group's tribute to the Stone Temple Pilots.

“Crisis at Christmas” is a number written by bassist Stefano Valdo, who performed on a fretless bass. This was one of the few slow numbers on the programme. The melancholy timbre gradually built up momentum.

Gavin Sorochan's drum solo was riveting. The driving beat metamorphosed into equally driving rolls and complex rhythms. Just as mesmerizing was Sorochan's expressiveness at his instrument.

The group wrapped up the first set with a John Scofield number, “Filibuster”. Also featured in the first set was another Jason Graham number, “Nothing Crass”.

Funky Grooves, Gospel and Standards Mark the Second Set

The Moving Instant launched the second set with a cover tune called “Crash Course”. Graham's guitar solo weaved at a moderate pace before gathering steam. Valdo, who switched to a fretted electric bass, played a funk-influenced solo. The guitars comped with a rock groove throughout Sorochan's drum solo.

“BFD” was written by Graham and Valdo. This began with a driving drum riff before the other instrumentalists joined in. This number evoked images of video game fight scenes its the aggressive, funk rhythms. Steve Fletcher demonstrated his versatility by switching from a funk groove to a gospel-influenced one in the blink of an eye.

The group ended their show with a John Coltrane classic, “Giant Steps”. “Fast” doesn't begin to describe this number. The tempo and rapidly changing harmonies make this number a challenging one to play (but so much fun to hear). Graham, Sorochan, Valdo and Fletcher did not miss a beat during their rapidly flowing lines. Even at that fast tempo, each musician was able to play some very punchy rhythms.

Also performed in the second set were “Blue in Green” by Miles Davis, “Big Jewel” by Stefano Valdo and “You're Only Young Once” by Jason Graham. For an encore, The Moving Instant played another Miles Davis classic, “All Blues”.

All four musicians demonstrated technical virtuosity, confidence and love for their art. They were evenly matched. For the most part, the balance was good, although there were times that it was hard to hear the keyboard and bass over the drums.

The most frustrating element to the evening was the lack of audience etiquette. At times, it was difficult to hear the bass and keyboards simply because several members of the audience were talking loudly throughout the performances.

Just as disturbing was the small amount of applause after technically demanding solos played with aplomb. There is a difference between background music and performance music. The Moving Instant played the latter, which should have generated more applause than was given.

The Moving Instant Plays the BeatNiq

The Moving Instant is a jazz fusion trio made up of Jason Graham, Stefano Valdo and Gavin Sorochan. The group was formed in 2009. Joining them for this performance was Steve Fletcher on keyboard. All musicians are based in Calgary, Alberta and perform in a number of groups, including the Allistair Elliot Band and the Tricia Edwards Quartet.

Jazz fusion trio The Moving Instant played to a lively crowd at The BeatNiq in Calgary, Alberta on February 4 & 5, 2011. Jason Graham (guitar), Stefano Valdo (bass) and Gavin Sorochan (drums), along with special guest Steve Fletcher (keyboards) delivered technically demanding and impressive solos.

Originally published on Suite101.com on February 7, 2011. Updated August 7, 2013. Please note that the BeatNiq has closed since the original  publication of this article. The venue has since re-opened as The Wine-Ohs.

Thermotex Personal Therapy System Product Review

My dog, Maestro, was diagnosed with Inter-vertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) and osteoarthritis earlier this year. We have been going to the Canine Aquafitness Centre in Okotoks for his laser therapy treatments. Each session ends with a round on the Platinum Thermotex™ Personal Therapy System. Now that his laser therapy appointments have decreased from weekly to every other week, it was time to purchase our own Thermotex for at home pain relief from his vet; not only his muscle and joint pain, but my own!

How the Infrared Therapy Works

The Thermotex™ Personal Therapy System provides pain relief using infrared thermal energy (heat). This penetrates below the skin surface, all the way down into deep tissues and joints.

The body temperature in the injured area increases, increasing the blood flow into that area. The result is that the infrared jolts the affected area(s) into repairing the damage.

Infrared heat therapy is used on humans as well as pets for temporary relief of muscle and joint pain, sprains, strains, muscle tension, arthritis and even cancer patients. Maestro's vet assured me that it is very safe to use.

Features of the Thermotex™ Personal Therapy System

The Thermotex Personal Therapy System unit is 42 cm X 35 cm (17" X 15") The infrared heating plates are inside a soft, black case.

There are three settings on this product: High, Low and Off. The power cord is a decent length.

On the backside, there are removable Velcro straps. They can be used to wrap the device around the back, arm or leg.

In addition to the Thermotex™ Personal Therapy System, there are two systems specifically for animals. The equine system is designed as a coat for the horses to wear. The pet therapy system offers a line of pet beds.

Using theThermotex™ Personal Therapy System

When you first take the unit out of its packaging, check the cords inside the unit to make sure that they are securely connected. One end of the casing can be opened for this purpose.

His vet recommended that I put the pad in a pillowcase to keep the unit clean. So far, so good.

To use, place the unit on the injured area. You can use the Velcro straps to secure it in place. Put it on the high setting for the first 15 minutes and then switch to low. The instructions recommend that the device be used for at least 30 minutes.

The unit can be used up to four times a day. As with any therapy, the frequency can decrease as your condition improves.

There are several warnings that are worth noting. First, it is not recommended to use the unit while sleeping. Second, the Thermotex™ Therapy System should not be used on infants and thirdly, the product shouldn't be used in conjunction with liniments, salves or ointments. There rest are the regular warnings about using an electrical device.

There is a one year parts and labour warranty on the Thermotex™ Therapy System. There is also a 30-day satisfaction guarantee from the creator of the Thermotex™ Therapy Systems.

User Experience with the Thermotex™ Personal Therapy System

I purchased the device two weeks ago. Since then, Maestro has used the Thermotex™ Personal Therapy System daily. He uses it two to three times a day for approximately 30 minutes. 

Maestro gets fidgety once we near the 30 minute mark. His vet says that "He's cooked and done," when he becomes restless.

After each use, he is more mobile. Maestro attempts to jump up on the couch and to tackle the stairs ("No jumping, running or stairs" was the first thing his primary vet said to me when he was diagnosed). If I'm not fast enough or if I'm too slow to put the doggie gate up, he actually does.

As for me, I've been using it daily as well. I use it on my tense shoulders and to ease my lower back pain. I've been a bit more active lately, so I am also using it to prevent tendinitis in my arm and on an achy leg/hip.

Although I feel better immediately afterwards, its effects aren't consistent. It works extremely well on my back and shoulders. However, I've had limited success with my hip region. To be fair, I'm only using it once a day. I should actually follow the directions and increase usage to three or four times a day. As well, it is a little tricky to keep the pad in place at my hip.

When finished, I roll the unit up and wrap the power cord around it. It stores easily, although, with both of us using it daily, I don't bother putting it away.

Alternatives toThermotex™ Personal Therapy Systems

The Thermotex™ Personal Therapy System is one of the pricier pain relief personal care products on the market. I purchased it from the Canine Aquafitness Centre for $249 CAD. I imagine other local dealers will sell it at a similar price. It sells on Amazon for $289.14 CAD. The Venture Heat KB-2436 Therapy Infrared Heating Pad retails for approximately $155 CAD. The Therasage HB-1600 Far-Infrared Heat Therapy Healing Belt With Battery is more expensive at $300 CAD. If you want the benefits of infrared heat therapy at an entry-level price, you could check out the Infrared Deep Heat Wand for less than $30 CAD.

There are also infrared light therapy systems. Prior to purchasing the Thermotex™ Platinum, we were using the Light Relief Infrared Pain Relief Device ($84.99). Gaiam sells a Deep Penetrating Light Therapy device for $169 USD. There is also the Sirius SS-77 Aurora Light Therapy System for $85 USD.

Thermotex™ and the other infrared heating systems have one advantage to the infrared light therapy units on the market - durability. Once those LED lights die, that's it. Game over, simply because I haven't found any replacement lights. Our power adapter also burned out - after the warranty expired. On the flipside, the advantage to infrared light therapy products is that they are cheaper.

Infrared Pads on Amazon

Thermotex™ Personal Therapy System - The Final Verdict

Although the unit is the second most expensive that I've come across, I am satisfied with the Thermotex™ Personal Therapy System. The construction is solid, from the stitching of the casing to the thick Velcro straps. The heating plates are sturdy too.

It does work, if Maestro's increased mobility after each use is any indication. I too, have noticed less tension in my shoulders and back. The Thermotex™ Personal Therapy System is effective in providing temporary relief for chronic pain. One final bonus - no skin burns, which is always a factor when using "normal" heating pads.

Music by The Duke and Harry Connick Jr., A CJO Concert Review

Soulful sounds and funky grooves marked the CJO's final jazz concert of the 2010/11 season. The Calgary Jazz Orchestra played to a full house when members took to the stage Sunday, April 10, 2011 at River Park Church.

The first half of the programme featured the music of Duke Ellington, an American arranger, band leader, jazz composer and pianist from the Cotton Club era. The music of New Orleans actor, composer and jazz vocalist, Harry Connick Jr. comprised the second half. Connick Jr. burst onto the music scene with his soundtrack to When Harry Met Sally.

Opening Act Dr. E.P. Scarlett High School Jazz Band

The Jazz Band from Dr. E.P. Scarlett High School in Calgary, Alberta warmed up the audience with three numbers. They performed “Idiom '59 Part II” by Duke Ellington, “Blue Serge” by Mercer Ellington and “Orange Colored Sky” by Milton DeLugg and Willie Stein.

Under the direction of Jonathan Bell, the E.P. Scarlett Jazz Band has performed at various festivals and competitions in Alberta. Most recently, they received the top award at the the 2011 Alberta National Band Festival.

Classic Duke Ellington Featured in the CJO's First Set

Drummer Greg Baker encouraged the audience to help set the tempo for the first number while the rest of the Calgary Jazz Orchestra members were getting ready. The group opened with “Play the Blues and Go”. This upbeat number featured solos by Gerry Hebert on clarinet, Shane Statz on tenor sax, Al Muirhead on trumpet, Dave Reid on trombone, Rich Harding on alto sax and Kodi Hutchinson on bass.

Special guest, jazz vocalist Hazel Proctor received a warm welcome. She came on stage to sing “Mood Indigo”. Proctor performed with the CJO at the December “A Perfectly Frank Christmas” concert. She sings with the Dixie Boppers in Calgary, Alberta and has performed at Dixieland jazz festivals throughout Canada and the US.

One of the highlights from the first half was “It Don't Mean a Thing”. This toe-tapping number featured many stunning solos. Shane Statz presented a weaving solo, while Kim Beachum delivered a fast and furious solo on trumpet. The fingers of each member of the rhythm section were a blur during their respective solos. Rich Harding's solo showcased his superb sense of phrasing. The song accelerated dramatically to the double bar line.

Other songs featured in the first set included “In a Mellow Tone”, “Solitude” and Ellington's arrangement of “In the Hall of the Mountain King” from Edvard Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite. “Solitude” put the spotlight on Gerry Hebert on soprano saxophone and multi-instrumentalist Dave Reid on euphonium.

Sultry Jazz, Witty Quips and the Music of Harry Connick Jr. Mark the Second Half

The CJO kicked off the second half with “Blue Light Red Light”, a medium tempo number which featured director Johnny Summers on vocals. While the second number was being introduced, a cell phone rang in the audience. “Go ahead and get it,” quipped Summers. “Buy low, sell high,” he added, which garnered a few laughs. Summers really shone in “Jill”. This number featured the rhythm section, as well as Shane Statz.

The programme wrapped up with a New Orleans funk number, “Mind on the Matter”. Special guest Spencer Cheyne joined Greg Baker on drums. Dave Reid's solo included a musical quote of “In the Hall of the Mountain King”. Pianist Egor Ukolloff delivered his funky solo with impressive technical fluency. Johnny Summers sang and later performed a solo on trumpet. Baker and Cheyne traded two's with the rest of the band. Bakers also added his vocals during the head. Other performed included “Last Payday”, “Spot” and “It Had to Be You”, which Connick Jr. sang on the When Harry Met Sally soundtrack.

There was a pregnant pause after the final round of applause at the end of the programme. It was if the audience was waiting for Summers to say something else, or for drummer Greg Baker to yell “Encore!” as he did at the ENTERTAINMENT! Concert.

“Now what?” asked Summers. Turning back to the band, he added that although the programme was done, no one was moving. Only then did members of the audience ask for an encore. “This is the freakiest encore ever,” Summers added. The CJO obliged by performing “Come By Me”. The audience rose to its feet in a standing ovation for several minutes afterward.

Calgary Jazz Orchestra Unveils Its 2011/2012 Concert Season

The CJO divulged its 2011/2012 concert season. Upcoming concerts will feature the music of Chet Baker, Billie Holliday and Frank Sinatra. It will also showcase music from Cuba.

Subscribers can buy season tickets on the Calgary Jazz Orchestra website for $85 prior to August 1, 2011. Subscriptions will go up to $90 after August 1. Single tickets will be available for $25 each.

About the Calgary Jazz Orchestra

The CJO was founded by director Johnny Summers in 2004. This concert featured Gerry Hebert, Rich Harding, Dr. Jeremy Brown, Shane Statz and Sarah Matheson on the saxophone. Hebert, Harding and Brown also played the clarinet on selected numbers. The trumpet section is comprised of Johnny Summers, Kim Beachum, Gordon Wilhelm and Al Muirhead. Brian Walley, Jim Scott, Mike Thomson and Dave Reid make up the trombone section, while Egor Ukolloff (piano), Kodi Hutchinson (bass) and Greg Baker (drums) form the rhythm section.

The Calgary Jazz Orchestra ended its 2010/2011 concert season by performing to a full-capacity audience on Sunday, April 10, 2011 at River Park Church. The concert featured big band jazz arrangements of music by the “Cotton Club King”, Duke Ellington, as well as New Orleans crooner Harry Connick Jr. The CJO's 2010/11 season has been an entertaining ride, with varied programming, well-played jazz and plenty of laughs.

Originally published on Suite101.com on April 13, 2011. Updated August 7, 2013.