Review of Johnny Summers – Piano Sessions Vol. 1 CD Release Concert

Calgary multi-instrumentalist Johnny Summers and friends delivered an intimate and passionate performance on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at the University of Calgary's Rozsa Centre. The event was a CD Release Party to introduce Summers’ third jazz album, Piano Sessions Vol. 1.

The Calgary event also featured Chris Andrew on piano, Al Muirhead on trumpet, Jason Valleau on bass and vocals, Sheldon Valleau on ukulele and vocals and finally, Shane Statz on tenor sax. Johnny Summers performed on vocals, trumpet and flugelhorn.

Swing, Ballads and Blues Featured in Johnny Summers' Piano Sessions Vol. 1

The concert opened with "She Thinks that I Still Care". Unlike with George Jones' original country stylings, this interpretation was injected with a "hot summer's day in New Orleans" feel.

The dramatic pauses at the ends of key phrases set a playful tone to the number. The trumpet and piano solos were longer than they were on the album, giving Johnny Summers and Chris Andrew an opportunity to really expand on their ideas.

Between numbers, Johnny explained some of his inspirations for recording this jazz album.  Listening to great crooners such as Harry Connick Jr. and Tony Bennett, as well as instrumentalists Bill Evans, Chet Baker and Paul Blaine instilled the idea of an album featuring piano and voice. "That's beautiful to me," he said.

"You're extremely exposed," he divulged. Johnny added, "You have to have a good sense of time."

During the recording sessions, four additional songs were recorded, which didn't make it onto the album: "I'll Be Home for Christmas" and "Winter Wonderland", "Look for the Silver Lining" and "Mood Indigo." The classic Christmas songs were bundled together in Winter Wonderland.  The other two made it onto Saturday's programme.

Jerome Kern & B.G. DeSylva's "Look for the Silver Lining" was made famous by Chet Baker. This medium swing song had a light, breezy feel to it.

Chris' solo was peppered with syncopated rhythms and impressive runs. In contrast, Johnny's solo on his brand new Yamaha flugelhorn was tender and warm, gradually blossoming into each a high point. Partway through, the groove became more animated and the two traded 4's.

The ballad "Maybe This Time" has been recorded by many artists, including crooner Tony Bennett. Johnny shared some of his memories of hearing Bennett sing live in concert. "He walks on stage...and you feel the electricity...When he sings, he fills you."

Johnny's interpretation was soulful and wistful, with an unhurried tempo throughout. That made the climax more impassioned. The piano shakes were performed in a dreamy fashion.

Jason and Sheldon Valleau of the band, The Polyjesters, lent their talents to "My Baby Just Cares for Me". This jazz standard by Walter Donaldson and Gus Kahn has been considered the signature piece of Nina Simone.

This medium swing number featured a soft, easygoing piano solo by Chris. The crescendo towards a soft, fermata in Johnny's trumpet solo was a short reprieve before the melody shot up to the instrument's upper register. The lyrics were delivered with a cheeky and humourous flair. The impromptu "doo-doo-doo" at the end of the tag was by Sheldon was a nice touch.

Variety, Extended Solos and Delightful Surprises at Johnny Summers CD Release Concert

One of the highlights in the second set was Nat King Cole's "I'm an Errand Boy for Rhythm". After a slow introduction on voice and piano, the mood shifted to a lively upswing. The interlude featured a rhythmic piano solo, followed by Al's elegantly shaped phrases. In contrast, Johnny's trumpet solo weaved and raced to the top with rapid runs. The trumpet dialogue between Al and Johnny was playful. At times, it sounded just like scatting. Other times, it sounded like a car race.

This interpretation of Duke Ellington's "Mood Indigo" had shades of Nina Simone. It featured solos by Shane Statz on tenor sax, Johnny on trumpet and Chris on piano.

The final song of the evening was a rousing performance of Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues". One of the most delightful things about music is that you never hear the same performance twice. This was especially true in this case.

The piano intro was extended for the live performance, gathering momentum just as a train does when it pulls out. The sax solo was grittier, exploring the lower range of the instrument. In contrast, Al's solo was lighter and higher, much like birds chirping. Chris' solo featured a  healthy dose of "crunchy" chords and driving rhythms, while Johnny's trumpet solo spun and shot up - higher - and higher.

Jason performed a percussion solo on his bass before Johnny and Jason scatted. Jason's surprise trumpet-like squeal led to various instruments being imitated.

The entire audience rose quickly to give everyone a standing ovation. The ensemble performed one encore, "St. James Infirmary."

Six more songs were performed at the Piano Sessions Vol. 1 CD Release. Four more other songs were performed in the first set: "Dream a Little Dream of Me", "You Don't Know Me", "Going Home" and "Exactly Like You". The second half also featured "I Wonder, I Wonder" and "Simple Song".

Piano Sessions Vol. 1 Concert Review

From the opening line, the balance between the voice and piano and later, the remaining instruments, was nothing short of perfect. The ensemble made full use of the acoustics that the Rozsa Centre offers, delivering a crisp and clear sound. They definitively demonstrated that the album's Global Music Awards for Best Listener Impact and Best Male Vocalist are well deserved.

Technical proficiency, when coupled with artistry, is a winning combination. What more could a performer or listener ask for? Well, perhaps for the lead vocalist to not have strep throat, perhaps.

The live performance offered listeners different type of performance. Feeding off the energy from the audience and the ensemble can push a musician to new heights of artistry. This manifested on Saturday into spontaneous moments of brilliance that lead to new directions for improvisation. Yes, live was slightly different from the album, but just as beautiful in its own right.

About Johnny Summers

Johnny Summers is a Calgary-based multi-instrumentalist who performs jazz, soul, gospel, blues and almost everything in between. He's a singer and songwriter, as well as a trumpet and flugelhorn player. As the director of the Calgary Jazz Orchestra, he serves as composer, arranger and band leader.

Piano Sessions Vol. 1 is currently available on CD Baby and iTunes on March 16, 2013. Click here to read my album review.

On Japanese Language Learning Games

Last class, our substitute teacher had us play Japanese Jeopardy. Only, sensei explained everything in Japanese - very quickly. This, I'm sure, met with lots of blank stares (not just mine).

We had three categories: Location, Work and Body. Not only did we have to deal with a sensei who spoke quickly, but one who threw in vocabulary that many of us didn't know. It was a clear sign that we need to study more and beef up our vocabulary before playing another Japanese language learning game.

I finally figured out how to conjugate my response properly towards the end, when there were only three blank squares ("The place you mail a letter at is the post office.").

At any rate, the game idea is a pretty good one as far as study ideas go. Here are a few sites that I've tracked down:

Digital Dialects

Japanese Language Toy Chest

Hiragana and Katakana Games

I'll some of the Japanese language learning apps that are popular with my Japanese language class next time.

Interview with Laura Slattery of Virtual Choir 3.0

When I was with Suite101, I interviewed Laura Slattery of Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir 3.0 to discuss music, the links between music and medicine and Eric Whitacre.

Laura Slattery of Limerick, Ireland, recorded the Soprano 4 and 5 parts to Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir 3 project: “Water Night” from the Grammy-winning album, Light & Gold. This huge multi-track project involved 3,746 videos submitted by amateur and professional singers from 73 countries.

Laura sat down with me on April 27, 2012 via Skype to discuss Eric Whitacre's music, the connections between music and medicine, musical obsessions and Virtual Choir.

Laura Slattery on Choral Singing

Laura has sung in choirs since the age of nine. “Actually, I tried to join my school choir when I was nine and I was told I wasn't good enough,” she recalled. “I said, 'Well I'll show you!' and went in and started getting voice lessons.”

Although Laura plays several instruments, including piano, guitar and tin whistle, choral music holds a special place in her heart. “There's nothing quite like choral singing. You can sing on your own, all you like; but there's just nothing like the experience you get with the people you meet.”

On Singing Eric Whitacre's Music for the First Time

“I think the first that I had heard of Eric Whitacre was actually my current choir,” Laura mused. She sings with the Tullamore Academy Chamber Choir, which recently was named National Choir of the Year.

She went on to recall the first time she sang an Eric Whitacre composition. “I kind of got drafted in at the last minute to sing tenor in “This Marriage” and it was kind of like, 'Wow, this is sick!'” Her conductor advised her to listen to more of Whitacre's music. “He said to go listen to “Cloudburst” . I was absolutely blown away,” she murmured.

Virtual Choir 3.0

“I had only heard “Water Night” once in my life,” she said. “When he announced it in December, I was like, 'Oops.' ” With a chuckle, she added, “I think it's fair to say I procrastinated – a lot. An awful, awful lot.”

She recorded countless times for VC3 and admitted that she was plagued with doubts. “There's just something about listening back to yourself. I hate it at the worst of times,” she admitted.

“We came up to the night before the submissions and I had been talking to my housemate about it. He was like, 'Look, just get and do it. Get up in the morning and get and do it. When are you going to get and do something like this again?' ”

Revitalized, Laura Slattery tried again. “I went into the college at 6:00 in the morning – the day of submissions. Had several failed attempts.” Then there were website and server issues. “I decided to go back home and record the S5 line in the car, just sitting outside of my apartment.”

Once she sent in her submission, Laura made a post to Eric Whitacre's Virtual Choir page on Facebook, saying, “Am I out of my mind? I recorded it in the car!” Responses came within seconds. “There were loads of people, 'You did great! We're delighted to have you.' ”

When Eric Whitacre announced that the Virtual Choir submission deadline would be extended, Laura decided to record the Soprano 4 line as well. “If he had gone for another day, I would have recorded another one. It was a labour of love.”

She fell in love with “Water Night”. “It's just such a fabulous piece. It's just so complicated. It's kind of counter-intuitive. How does he come up with these things? It just sounds so perfect but when you separate them out, you're like, 'These things shouldn't work together.' ”

Musical Obsessions

When asked about her favourite music, Laura quipped, “Does it sound cliché if I say any of Eric Whitacre's music? That's my study music now.”

“I've gone through kind of phases of being Handel-obsessed. I've gone through Evanescence. Take everything. Irish folk. I have great love obviously, for Irish music. I will absolutely listen to anything. There's very little that I don't like in music.”

“There's something intrinsically intense about music,” she mused. “It's people putting themselves out there, putting their heart out there on a plate.”

On Eric Whitacre and His Music

“Eric Whitacre is unique,” said Laura, matter-of-factly. “There's not a lot of people who utilize digital media.” She went on to explain. “I can put something up on Facebook and can hear back what he's thinking. You know, get an insight of his thought process.”

“He just captures words so well,” she said of Whitacre's music. “Every word you can see is thought out: 'Exactly how am I going to put those harmonies there? How am I going to get the message across?' “

“There's such feeling in it and a kind of purity and honesty,” she said. “Going back to the heart on a plate analogy, he's someone who literally, I imagine, gives all of himself. It's certainly how it comes across in his music.”

“He's exploded onto the choral scene,” she reported. “Every competition you go to – Ireland's not a big country – there's five or six choirs doing an Eric Whitacre piece.”

The Connections Between Music and Medicine

Ms. Slattery is a second-year medical student at the University of Limerick. She's in the graduate program, specializing in pediatrics oncology.

“Music is kind of like a vocation,” she said after pondering the question. “Medicine obviously has to be. The art of being a good musician, shall we say, is making it sound simple. It requires massive dedication, from the time you're a young child.

“And the ability to communicate emotions and the ability to understand emotion,” she added. “That is massive as a doctor, that too often is missing. You know, focus on the condition, focus on disease and fail to see the person, the emotion, the experience.”

Another link Laura recognized is the connection between creativity and adaptation. “There's obvious creativity in music. In medicine you have to think on your feet – adapt to situations.”

“Interestingly enough, an awful lot of people in my course are musical,” she admitted. “We've had talent nights.” She mentioned also that some medical students sing in choirs, while others teach music part-time.

“It's great to have something to escape to. Something to balance your life with. If you become too one-dimensional, then you lose the human aspect. If anything, I want to be a human doctor.”

Musical Dogs

Maestro has selected video clips of other musical dogs to share. Here's Porter playing and singing on a Casio keyboard:

Maestro is used to singing in "doggy trios" like this one:

This poodle has been making the rounds on Facebook for a while now:

These two have a really good ear:

And for some reason, Maestro becomes quite excited when he sees and hears himself play or sing:

Summer Music Camps in Alberta for Children, Youth and Adults

Summer music camps enable musicians to hone their skills, learn new techniques and explore new styles. A look at five summer programs in Alberta.

Some people attend summer hockey camp, while others go to Tech Camp. For musicians, there's summer music camp.

Music camps are typically day camps that run for one to two weeks. They generally involve private lessons, ensemble work, and master classes with leading teachers, conductors, and performers. Many offer seminars on various aspects of performing, such as:

• accompanying

• improvisation

• memorization

• movement

• musical interpretation and style

• performance anxiety

• proper technique

The programs often conclude with a performance. Some also feature performances by faculty members.

Here is a look at five Alberta-based summer music camps for students of various ages and abilities. These programs attract students from across Canada and the northwestern United States.

Singspiration Singing Camp for Youth Singers

Singspiration was established in 2000 for youths in Grades 4 through 12. Campers sing in a choir, learn handbells, attend art classes, and enjoy some outdoor activities. In 2006, Singspiration received the Patricia Cook Memorial Award from the the Alberta Choral Federation for its service to advocacy in arts education in Alberta. Singspiration is held at Concordia University College.

Band, Choir, Piano and Musical Theatre for Youth at Music Camp Alberta

Music Camp Alberta has been offering summer music programs since 1957. Seven summer programs are offered, which are held at Red Deer College:

1. David J. Peterkin Symphonic Band Camp: For high school students with at least three years experience on their instrument.

2. Piano Workshop: For high school students with at least their Grade 5 piano through the Royal Conservatory of Music (or equivalent).

3. Youth Contemporary Choir Workshop: For high school students with choral experience to study acoustic vocal jazz techniques and learn about contemporary music genres.

4. Intermediate Band Camp: For students in Grades 8 - 10 with at least two years' experience on their instrument.

5. MusicCamp Girls' Choir: For girls aged nine to 14.

6. MusicCamp Boys' Choir: For boys with unchanged voices.

7. Musical Theatre for Young Singers: For students aged nine to 14.

Fine Arts Camps for Children, Youth and Adults at the Calgary Arts Summer School

The Calgary Arts Summer School (CASS) is an inter-disciplinary summer arts school established in 1993. CASS currently offers seven camps:

1. Musical Theatre Showtime: For students aged nine to 19. Students plan, produce and present a scripted musical production.

2. Exploring the Arts Camp: This camp offers students an introduction to music, drama, movement and art. For students aged 4 to 10. No previous experience is necessary but is welcome.

3. Play Writing Camp: For students aged seven to 12. Students create, rehearse and perform their own unique play in five days.

4. Adult Piano Camp: For adult pianists of various levels.

5. Piano Camp: For pianists aged 10 to adult, intermediate to advanced. Students also explore choir, art, improvisation, the Alexander Technique, and more.

6. Jazz Keyboard Workshop: For all instrumentalists aged 13 through adult. Students will exploring comping, solo and listening techniques.

7. Piano Pedagogy Workshop: For music teachers as well as advanced music students.

CASS also hosts a variety of events throughout the year. Check CASS' website for camp locations and registration information.

Guitar, Drums, Recording and Jazz at Alberta College

Alberta College at Grant MacEwan University offers seven summer music programs on the Alberta College campus:

1. Guitar Basics: For beginners to provide an introduction to the guitar.

2. Guitar/Drum Workshop: For beginner to advanced level guitarists.

3. Studio Recording Techniques: Explores the techniques involved in the operation of studio recording equipment. Students receive a combination of instruction and studio time.

4. MacEwan Summer Jazz Workshop: For students aged 13 to 20. Students explore improvisation, jazz styles through working in combos and big-bands.

5. All that Jazz - Jazz Appreciation: Students will explore musicians and major influences in jazz using A/V examples and basic musical analysis.

6. Vocal Workshop: Students will develop their skills in vocal production, music reading, harmonization and improvisation as they perform in solo and ensemble situations.

7. Musical Theatre: Students aged seven to 16 years of age will learn singing, acting and movement.

Complete Vocal Experience at The University of Lethbridge

The Southern Alberta Vocal Experience is open to students aged 13 - 20 years of age. Students will explore choral repertoire and creative movement.

They will receive private lessons, and master classes. Students will perform in a vocal recital featuring works for vocal solo and piano as well as an ensemble oriented performance, featuring operetta and musical theatre repertoire. Both performances are open to the public.

Registering for a Summer Music Camp

Summer music camps do fill up quickly. Check the camp websites for detailed registration information. Some offer scholarships and bursaries for those who require financial assistance.

Musicians can research the summer programs available in their area. Young musicians should discuss with their music teacher and parents which program is most suitable for them.

Whether the goal is to learn a new skill, keep those musician fingers nimble, continuing education, or improve one's performance savvy, summer music camps are a wonderful way to further one's musical development. They also offer the valuable opportunities of making new friends and working with world-class musicians, teachers and conductors.

Originally published on Suite101 on April 16, 2010. Information updated on March 10, 2013. All rights reserved by Rhona-Mae Arca.