Poetic Shutterbug

Photo courtesy of www.tcswing.com Peggy Lee , was born in Jamestown, North Dakota on May 26 th 1920. She is best known for her seductive rendition of "Fever" and lesser known songs such as "Come Rain or Come Shine." When Lee was not performing she was reading the essays of Ralph Waldo Emerson who gave her the inspiration to carry on with her music. She had a fanciful, flavorful and fulfilling life doing what she loved. She lived her passion and loved her life. I wanted to share with you a tribute original song written by Jerry Holland and performed by Sony Holland to honor one of the greatest female jazz vocalists around. Peggy Lee was an inspiration to Sony and as Sony puts it "I'm a huge fan and always will be." Peggy Lee was a gift to all of us. Below is a video of Sony performing "Blame It On Peggy Lee." Enjoy! Happy 90 th Birthday, Peggy Lee.

Visit Russ Lorenson's Website @ www.russlorenson.com Russ Lorenson has established a reputation as one of the San Francisco Bay Area's leading interpreters of jazz standards, with a sound and approach that place him at the intersection of Broadway, jazz, and pop... the very essence of the Great American Songbook. Your stage career began at the early age of seven. Can you tell us what or who inspired your love for music and theatre? I've been a singer since even before I can remember. I sang in choirs all throughout my school years, and eventually became a choral conductor and composer by the time I graduated high school. In junior high, I was introduced to musical theatre by a wonderful teacher, Loren Salter, whose influence on me continues to this day. In fact, Lorenson is a stage name, in homage to him ("Loren's son"). I had another great teacher in high school, Bob Keller, who really gave me an appreciation for classical choral music and gave me my earl...

Photo courtesy of www.sonyholland.com October 28, 8pm CATALINA JAZZ CLUB : LOS ANGELES, CA 8pm @ L.A.'s premier jazz club ! 6725 West SUNSET Blvd., CA. 90028 - (323) 466-2210 Sony Holland Quartet: Theo Saunders, piano: Steve Cotter, guitar: John B. Williams, bass: Tony Austin, drums.

September 11 PORTFOLIO : LONG BEACH, CA 9p - 10p (guitar/vocal duo - all original material) September 19 THE VENUE : FARGO, ND 7pm - Appearing in concert with the Jazz Arts Group Big Band. Sony will be singing standards from the Great American Songbook. September 20 THE DAKOTA : MINNEAPOLIS, MN 7pm - Sony's debut @ the Dakota, the Twin Cities premier jazz room. With Laura Caviani, piano: Jay Young, bass: Phil Hey, drums.

Read my interview with Jonathan Poretz on JazzWest.com Photo courtesy of Yoshi's San Francisco www.jonathanporetz.com August 19, 2009 Jonathan Poretz - vocals Lee Bloom - piano Jeff Neighbor - bass Kent Bryson - drums 8pm show $12 advance / $16 at the door Information and Tickets

I received The Good Life as a gift from a friend after seeing Tony Bennett live here in San Francisco. I decided to take a little time and thought I’d read a couple of paragraphs then go on with my day. Well, from the introduction on I found that I could not put the book down. I read it from cover to cover in one sitting which I normally do not do unless the book is of real interest. The writing style was conversational and had me thinking to myself I feel as though we’re sitting right here together having a conversation. The book begins with accounts of his parents and family immigrating to the US from Italy. His stories of his early childhood with his Mother working so hard to make ends meet along with cherished memories of family dinners etc… had me remembering and relating in so many ways to my Italian/Greek upbringing. The pictures he paints with words are vivid as are his real life paintings of which some are showcased within the pages of the book. I never knew he was also...

Sony Holland Smith Dobson Tribute Stage Sunday 6pm Courtesy of The San Jose Jazz Festival buy tickets Sony Holland sings in a style that is both sophisticated and emotionally direct. Her interpretations of the Great American Songbook show a deep respect and love for the material while adding an unmistakable spark of personality. Originally from northern Minnesota, Sony fell in love with jazz while spending a year in Paris and has earned a devoted following with her renditions of standards, contemporary and original songs. She has made California her home since 2003, although she now performs internationally, including extensive concert tours and residencies in Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Bangkok. Her "Out Of This World" CD is an intimate set of 13 songs which she brings together with impeccable musicianship and true feeling. At the San Jose Jazz Festival she will be joined by a terrific group of Bay Area musicians including: Benny Watson, piano: Jeff Buenz, guitar: Seward McCain, ...

Photo by Terry Dudley - Courtesy of sonyholland.com Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved When: Sunday, August 9 What: San Jose Jazz Festival Where: Smith Dobson Stage w/quartet Time: 6:00 p.m. http://jazzfest.sanjosejazz.org/en/performers/77-sony-holland.html & Here is a short sampling of Sony performing with her band at the San Jose Jazz Festival last year. When: Thursday, August 20 What: Café Divine Where: North Beach with Jerry on acoustic guitar Time: 7:00 – 9:00 http://www.cafedivinesf.com/

The Fillmore Jazz Festival takes place annually and is the premier jazz event in San Francisco. There are four stages of musical performances along with artists and food vendors lining the streets from Eddy all the way up to and past California Street. I've been attending this festival for years. It always attracts thousands of people though this year was jam packed. I have never seen so many people at this event. There were some great acts this year to include Marcus Shelby , Kim Nalley and Spencer Day just to name a few. The music was loud and hot! It was one huge street party. We had a great time and can't wait again for next year. Below is a photo and video from the Marcus Shelby performance with special guest Faye Carol . Let me also just say if you even have the chance to see Marcus Shelby in person, by all means do so. They are spectacular!

It was a warm morning in February 2003. I was working at Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco. The plaza was empty and I was sitting in the store reading a book. All of a sudden I hear this jazzy tune playing on the Fountain Plaza. I did not recognize the tune but I loved the melody. A few seconds later I was stunned by what I can only describe as the voice of an angel. The pure, smooth vocals were so engaging that I had to get out there and see who this was filling the square with such beautiful music. I went out, stood by the door and saw this elegantly dressed beautiful blond e in a long black gown and heels singing her heart out in this quiet bare plaza. I was completely mesmerized by her voice and stood there for her entire set without even moving. When I heard "This City Is Mine" which was written and composed by Jerry Holland I fell in love with the song. I waited until her set was done and went out and bought two CD's . I remember telling her that it...

Out Of This World by: Sony Holland Going green with an eco -packaged design and new vocals produced by Van Ness Musical Productions and HeebaLibra Music this 2009 remix is better than ever. It boasts 13 tunes with 10 classic standards and 3 originals by songwriter Jerry Holland. The cover stays true to the title and look of the CD. It is an eco -packaged design without any plastic or shrink wrap. Anything sans shrink wrap - I love. The inside cover displays the song list, composers and band members. On the inside right flap, which holds the CD, is a photo of Sony during a recording session along with a personal note autographed by her. The back cover displays each track along with another photo of Ms. Holland during one of her performances. The songs on this CD will be familiar yet presented in a fresh unique tone. The new vocals are smooth and sensual yet powerful as is evident in the Etta James hit “At Last.” Sony’s voice matures with each and every performance and CD re...

YOSHI'S OAKLAND AND SAN FRANCISCO ANNOUNCE JUNE 2009 LINEUP CHECK OUT THE NEW AND IMPROVED YOS HIS.COM Monday, June 1 JENNIFER LEE Tuesday, June 2 JULIAN LAGE Wednesday, June 3 WILLIE JONES III QUARTET with GILBERT CASTELLANOS (Trumpet) MARCUS SHELBY (Bass) ADAM SHULMAN (Piano) Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, June 4, 5, and 6 legendary jazz vocalist extremely rare live appearance NANCY WILSON Sunday, June 7 2pm Matinee (one show) JAMES NEWTON & JON JANG Sunday, June 7 7pm (one show) IRIS DEMENT Monday, June 8 UPTOWN TRIO Tuesday, June 9 BRIAN BLADE & THE FELLOWSHIP BAND featuring JON COWHERD, MELVIN BUTLER, MYRON WALDEN and CHRIS THOMAS Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, June 10, 11 and 12 KIND OF BLUE at 50 featuring JIMMY COBB'S SO WHAT BAND Jimmy Cobb - Drums Wallace Roney - Trumpet Javon Jackson - Tenor Saxophone Vincent Herring - Alto Saxophone L...

Photo courtesy of www.sf.eater.com Photo courtesy of Terry Dudlley and www.sonyholland.com - All Rights Reserved The Rrazz Room situated within the Hotel Nikko in San Francisco is fast becoming the premier venue for entertainment. It has been opened for a little over a year and has attracted some of the Bay Area's biggest names and talents. The room itself is located in the lobby area of the hotel with a great little bar and lounge setting adjacent to the concert room. The lounge area is one of those comfortable settings where you can just relax and even doze off on one of those gloriously overstuffed couches. Although I don't drink, I've heard that the bar itself is a "drinker's paradise." The most important aspect of a concert venue for me is the stage. The stage should be the focal point of the room. When I walked into the Rrazz Room I felt as if I were walking into a huge concert hall. The stage literally speaks to you as you arrive. The room itse...

Jazz Climax - For Sony Holland The room hauntingly still with mosaic tiles staring down upon the audience. Pink and red lights glare like the eye of a storm pouncing across the stage. Lights dim and the music begins. Ebony and ivory notes meld with the pounding crescendo of drums. Hot sax man plays it high and low while the bass hovers a musical fog. And the introduction! Thunderous applause echoes while the star rises to the occasion. To the nines, dressed Out Of This World and the spotlight dull in comparison to her beauty. Her voice soft, smooth velvet whispers shower the room in vocal elegance. Lyrical reverberations echo beyond the stage and the room full with sultry innocence the sass and class monogamy. Piano man sets the tone tickling each key to perfection. At Last! As the song goes… Sensual bluesy rhythms fuel the senses with hot anticipation while the audience swoons in wild adulation as rhythmic beats rise and heighten...