Summer Update

Hey!

Summer is truly underway now and thought I would put up a brief post about how it's progressing and what's next on the schedule!

During the month of May I was teaching a McGill summer course called "Intro to Jazz", an elective class for Arts and Science students and, as usual, I had a great time and suspect that I learned more than the students!  The class of 165 students were an enthusiastic group and I hope they enjoyed the class and will become fans of the music.

June was full of music projects including a fun (but all-too-brief) visit to the Jazz Camp in Asbestos, Quebec led by saxophonist Richard Savoie and vibraphonist/drummer Robert Pelletier.  I gave a clinic and had a chance to perform with the wonderful faculty.  Great fun and I hope to go back again soon!

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June was also a chance to get back on the road and perform with singer Ranee Lee.  I've been working with this amazing woman for about 15 years now and she never fails to inspire with her tireless energy and devotion to the music.  We played shows in Rochester, Ottawa, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Trois-Rivieres, Montreal and later this week we head down to Halifax.  

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I also put together a couple more short drum videos for my Youtube channel.  One is an interpretation of Clifford Brown's solo on Joy Spring, while another sees me add a cymbal part to a Joe Henderson/Christian McBride duet.  Please have a look:

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The remainder of the summer looks a little quieter so that leaves time to golf!  This weekend it's Halifax for a double bill:  One show with Ranee Lee and another with saxophonist Kirk Macdonald.  Then the following week in Waterloo Ontario for a show with Remi Bolduc and his Quartet---it will be good to play again with that band!  At the end of July I'm doing a show with pianist Geoff Lapp and bassist Paul Johnston.  It has been far too long since we've had a chance to play together and so I'm really looking forward to that night.  

Have a safe and musical summer!