Here's my column for those who may not see it in July issue of Mosaic:

All That Jazz July 07
by Doreen Fawcett

A DVD newly minted by the world famous Glenn Miller Orchestra is a gem for jazz lovers who remember the distinctive sound of the 30s and 40s. Those fortunate to be one of 1200 ticket holders to their performance in Owen Sound in May will recognize many faces of the musicians led by Larry O'Brien, who, dare I say, is a more accomplished trombone player than the orchestra originator. Glen Miller's strength, of course, was his masterful arrangements of standards and his pursuit of his particular 'sound'. Sadly, his plane went missing over the English Channel during WW2 but we are fortunate that his 'sound' has been kept alive and is heard all over North America. The DVD provides dancers, listeners and viewers with more than an hour of Glenn's style performed in a dance hall complete with spinning mirrored ball and sprung floor. For more info on the orchestra and DVD go to http://www.glennmillerorchestra.com/

Here's what's coming up for this month in Grey/Bruce:

Sunday evening free concerts at Bayview Park, Thornbury, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Bring a chair and enjoy an evening beside the blue waters of Georgian Bay, compliments of Thornbury Chamber of Commerce. In case of rain, the action moves inside to Clarksburg Arena. Donations accepted. For more info call 519-599-3223.

July 1 Ragweed Jazz Band
July 8 Louis LeFaive and the Kings of Swing
July 15 Rob Lowe Quartet
July 22 Fig Leaf Jazz Band
July 29 A Tribute to the 60s - Return Trip

Saturday evenings at the Chaise Lounge in Owen Sound features Rob Gasidlo on keyboard playing for dinner patrons from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Reservations recommended 519-371-8141 Here's the lineup of guests:

July 7 Don Buchanan on keyboard, Tyler Wagler plays bass.
July 14 Nura on percussion and vocals, Stuart Steinhart plays six-string electric bass.
July 21 Greg Haddow, guitar and Jack McFadden, bass.
July 28 Nura returns with Stu Steinhart

The Leith Summer Festival, held at Leith Church, near Owen Sound is featuring jazz on Saturday, July 21 at 7:30 p.m.
The Claude Bolling Jazz Quartet will entertain at this historic restored church with a mix of Baroque and Swing. Musicians Robert Korlgaard, piano, Susan Hoeppner, Flute, Andrew Downing, bass and Nick Fraser drums perform two of Bolling's major jazz suites. For more information see http://www.leithfestival.ca

Lighthouse Swing Band cruises into Southampton with a concert in the park beside Fairy Lake on Sunday, July 30 at 7:30 p.m. The concert is free and donations are welcome. Bring a chair.

Howlin' Dog Vintage Jazz Band play their special kind of Dixieland jazz for a Bruce Museum fund raiser picnic at North Shore Park in Port Elgin on Saturday, July 7 at 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Lobster and steak are on the menu. For more details and tickets go to http://www.brucemuseum.ca or call 519-797-2080

Charlie Bell quartet offers a 'feast of standards' at Saugeen Golf and Country Club, Port Elgin on July 27 at 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. as part of Saugeen Shores Friday Dinner Jazz series. Featured are Charlie Bell, tenor sax and clarinet, Mike Grace, bass, Andy Harasymczuk, guitar and Stephen James on drums. Reservations are recommended for the Terrace Restaurant 519-389-4514

Howlin' Dog Vintage Jazz Band also has a couple of gigs in Kincardine at Bruce Bar and Grill, entertaining on the patio from 2:30 p.m.to 6:00 p.m. on July 8 and July 29.

Jazz in the Park happens again this year on Tuesday evenings at the Outdoor Complex in Wasaga Beach at 7:00 p.m. Bring a lawn chair for the free concerts. Here's the lineup:
July 3 Cameo Jazz Band
July 10 Baytowne Big Band
July 17 Ragweed Jazz Band
July 24 Georgian Sound Big Band
July 31 The Otherside of Brass

Fig Leaf Jazz Band plays the new Meaford Hall on July 20 from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. celebrating this year of playing jazz music in the area. On July 21 at the same location, fans can hear Louis LeFaive & The Kings of Swing perform from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Winding up the three-day jazz festival on July 22 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. is a gypsy jazz duo, Willie and Lobo the Kings of Gypsy Jazz. For more information go to http://www.meafordhall.ca or call 519-538-0463

For other jazz events in the region check out http://www.jazzbythebay.ca

Doreen Fawcett is a member of Grey Bruce Writers

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Posted by doreen at 09:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yesterday at the market I picked up a loaf of sourdough bread, happy that they had put one aside for me as I asked. Disappointed the week before as they had forgotten to save me one. Having arrived too late on occasion, I asked the favour of having one saved for me each week. The loaf has always been the best sourdough I have tasted and just about lasts me the week. It keeps quite well in the fridge for that time.
Alas, on arriving home I discovered that the loaf had been in the oven a tad long and had a hard crust. Moreover, it was quite dry and possibly was not from that day's baking. Could this be their way of telling me they really didn't want the bother of remembering to put one aside each week? Or perhaps this was another indication of young'uns who can't be bothered with wrinklies. I consulted with my daughter and we discussed a few possibilities and then she said: It's only a loaf of bread, Mum. Why don't you just make croutons and forget about it. Oh how easily we slip into self-indulgent mode and think the world is against us, imagining all sorts of slights. Thank God someone is around who can smarten me up and set me straight. Croutons anyone?

Posted by doreen at 09:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

What a whizzbang few days I've had beginning on Thursday when two visitors arrived.
Shizuko Hayashi from Tokyo, accompanied by Toronto friend, Anne Van Egmond are members of 5W, an international women travellers organization.

Friday night, Anne and Shizuko joined a group of my friends for a birthday celebration; a fish and chips dinner in Southampton followed by a decadent evening of chocolate at Bruce Museum. A fund-raiser for the museum some dozen or so local chocolatiers spread their wares for sampling. One of our favourite jazz bands was on hand to provide dance music and Shizuko cut a few rugs. The Howlin' Dog Vintage Jazz Band was all decked out in tuxedos for the event. We brought home balloons and goodies which we are still eating. Anne left on Saturday returning to Toronto.

Shizuko is on a cross-Canada trip, from Kingston, Ontario to Nanaimo, BC.
While with me she has had her first experience in a private Jacuzzi bathtub and has eaten typical English/Canadian food as she wished. I did not serve her rice as she tells me Japanese rice is different. She had her favourite, sausages and mash, with someone else so here she cleaned her plate of bacon, egg, fried bread, sausage, tomatoes and bubble and squeak for breakfast.

We were fortunate that Doors Open was in Owen Sound while she has been here and we took in four locations on Saturday and three on Sunday, including attending morning worship at my church, Central Westside United. Next door neighbour, Helen Lewis kindly acccompanied Shizuko to the service as I was in the choir loft. As It happened the visiting minister, Rev. (Capt.) Mike Allen, had spent three years in Japan and so conversed with Shizuko in Japanese to her obvious delight.

She leaves me tomorrow when we meet with another 5W member from Petrolia in Goderich, where the transfer will take place over lunch. After a few days in Petrolia she flies from London to Thunder Bay to continue her westward journey. Whew!

Bon voyage to an interesting visitor who has given me many pleasant memories.

Posted by doreen at 10:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)