Awesome! Musicians, riding on the camel,  five star hotel and red carpet treatment, plus beautiful weather and people! I felt so fortunate. Concert was tremendous and filmed! Six radio and press interviews, along with a photographer and in house reviewer. They were wonderful...interesting to feel the pulse of an audience - lovers of rhythmic and melodic improvisation and lovers of lyrics ....in a beautiful land where Arabic is primary language made for great energy. Too cool! I am humbled by it all!! You are so dear Peter, Jobic, Ichiro and esp. Mark!!!

While it was cool and damp upon arrival, perched next to the BBC, this very contemporary university was so modern - just my cup of tea! I loved it. The classrooms, wall of twitter, wall of dvds, and the bathrooms were so modern...a perfect place to speak about future in jazz, even if it was premised by denouncing the authenticity of swing and all that Wynton Marsaiis inspired. With no mention of vocalists in the past or present I have my work cut out for me in bringing attention to the historical and futuristic importance of females,  and vocalists in particular. I remembered when Stanley Crouch first took me to McKell's in New York to see Wynton and his trio during his first tour. What an exciting night! What great music!  What a memory!

Quite a controversial key note address by Mr. Ade. Food for thought..., Power point worked well and it was filmed! Great questions from scholars...fascinating. And about Fred Hersch and my suite on time, I hope to present it in a more rhythmical context in the future.

It is great when communication can go so smoothly so that 'a poster can say it all'. A lot of thought has gone into my research on vocal improvising. I am happy to share with so many people in such  a short span. I want to return to this symposium soon!

April - just around the corrner and I have just completed the poster of my research Vocal Ecosystem for the Improving Brain Symposium at Georgia State University from April 6-9! Very exciting!
I have allso just put the finishing touches on my research presentation of my research Vocal Ecosystem for Rhythm Changes-Rethinking Jazz Cultures Conference at the  University of Salford in England on April 12. This will be exciting and intriguing to present my research on vocal improvisation to a large audience of musicoligists.
Lastly, in my history I actually performed A Night in Tunisia with the late phenominal Dizzy Gillespie. It was many moons ago, too.  Who would ever have thought that I would perform his tune in Tunis, Tunisia this month! Yes, I will bring my Paris trio to the Carthage Jazz Festival in Tunis on April 13. I had a live radio interview the other day which was awesome!
Will share more on these activities as they unfold!

Thanks for the birthday wishes!
It has been super busy and great to spend some time with Skype students as I begin to edit my new CD materials with plans for releasing in May. There are vocal competitions in most provinces and I am happy to report that I am working with singers in most of them, as well as the U.S. Good Luck to you all!  It was also nice hearing a radio show feeaturing the work of former student and now established Blues singer  Dawn Tyler Watson. It was very satisfying to hear the interview and one of her tunes titled "Cigarette". Bravo!
Best time has been spent with new collaborator Janne from Helsinki. We have managed to have lengthy Skype visits on most weekdays during the month of March. He is a tremendous pianist and composer who I will speak more about in coming months.
I accepted invitation this month to become a monthly contributing writer for Jam Voice magazine. I will share more soon!
I also accepted invitation this month to become a contributing host on a weekly 3 hour radio blog show in Los Angeles with the talented artist and hostess known as The Oracle. I will share more soon!

It was wonderful to have a chance to land in the city and quickly roll over into an music industry event with new Prism Talent agecy partners Susan and Dwight! It was great seeing Cyndi Cain perform w the symphony. Highlight was seeing Rita McNeil. Good meeting old friends from the symphony and CBC's Jeff Reilly. Collaboration are long overdue.

By the way now that I am a consultant w this local ageny as vocal coach, and presentations specialist I look forward to working w the artists on this roster.

As Woody Woods is listed on the Prism Agency roster I am happy to report that he and I had a great time perfecting the west coast tour - Jeri Brown: First Ladies of Jazz.  Congrats, Woody!!! We will be working again in May in Edmonton, Alberta for two nights at the Yardbird Suite. I am looking forward to those dates and the return to California. I already miss it.
Jeri

I met so many people on this tour. It was simply incredible! I want to thank Denise and Jeri especially for the social networking. Between the red carpet events (Oscars) and all of the parties, I was elevated to an all - time high. It was so great to be a guest at CCH Pounder's home and to meet Lorraine Toussant.These are two actresses who I admire to the fullest! Now the work begins as I sift through the films, press shots, audio to further the productions from these events. Thanks to my social media administrator, also. Joshua you have kept me organized this time! All for now

I keep saying the same thing, but it is true. It was a blast working with singers and choral groups while serving as an artist-in-residence there. Thanks to Andrea Calderwood and Don Claydon for your support and generosity. I am looking forward to returning. Students have an abundance of energy!!! Thanks, Woody Woods, for driving through the desert multiple times to support my teaching projects there, also!

What a wonderful event. I thoroughly enjoyed performing, meeting and mingling. The up-and-coming artistry was inspiring, also. And the extra bonus was having a chance to be on live radio with The Oracle before the show. That was very cool. Thanks, Mr.Gunther, Ms. Denise Cook, and, of course, my band - Woody, Trevor and Clayton!!!! Boom shakala!!!

What a sweet venue? Well managed by jazz vocalist Sherri Williams. Thanks a million. Interesting audience. Well suited for a lovely Feb. 14 Valentine's Day event.