Archive for September, 2008:
Esperanza Spalding
Esperanza Spalding will be in Falmouth on October 4 to perform at JazzFest Falmouth, a week-long celebration of jazz, culminating is a 10-hour concert on Saturday at Marina Park on Falmouth Harbor. Esperanza is a virtuoso string bass player and a very talented and original singer, composer, and improvisor. She performed in Falmouth last November, and those in the audience were wowed by her beautiful voice and creative scat-style singing, as well as by her graceful and powerful control of the bass. And she is only 23, a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, and one of its youngest faculty members.
She had begun her studies at Berklee at 17, with a full scholarship, and began teaching there when she was only 20. She also taught herself the violin when she was 4 or 5, apparently thinking it was a small cello–she had been inspired by Yo-Yo Ma’s appearance on Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.
Since her November performance here, her career has really started to take off. When she was on the David Letterman show, Dave said she was “the coolest person” they ever had on the show.
She is very cool, and I am looking forward to seeing her perform. For now, though, here is a link to a Youtube video about her: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZI7iPynrEM&feature=related
and her performance on the Jimmy Kimmel Show (I couldn’t find the Letterman appearance): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC21nP8yFX0&feature=related
Five Cellists
There are four local cello concerts coming up (one featuring two cellists) this month. A bonanza for cellists and non-cellists alike. Everyone loves the cello, or at least that is what they tell me when I mention that I play. I usually smile and agree that good cello playing is wonderful.
Once, though, as I was wandering through an art fair with a cello/case on my back, I just said, “thanks.” The cello-lover said, “I didn’t necessarily mean you, personally.” (He hadn’t yet heard me play, but it was a little disconcerting, nevertheless.)
If you also love the sound of the cello, you may want to attend one or more of these events:
Improvisational cellist Eugene Friesen will play with his jazz trio, Tre Corda, at Highfield Hall in Falmouth, on September 14 at 4 PM.
Bo Ericsson and Elizabeth Schultze, husband-and-wife cellists, will play at the Cape Cod Conservatory in West Barnstable on September 19 at 5:30 PM.
Savely Schuster will play with pianist Sharon Mann on September 26 at Falmouth Academy.
And Denise Djokic will play with the Cape Symphony Orchestra in Hyannis on September 27 at 8 PM and September 28 at 3 PM.
Empty School Bus Syndrome
For the first time in 17 years, we have no children in school. No trips for school or college supplies. No tuition payments, no $120 textbooks. I loved school, but my kids didn’t take to it. I don’t miss the arguing over homework, of course, but I do kind of feel there is something missing this year (besides the kids themselves, who are off in Rhode Island and Georgia).
Fortunately, for me, there are lots of opportunities around to take classes or join in on discussions of all sorts. It’s a good year to discuss politics, to get a better handle on some of the many issues that divide and unite our country. Besides the ever-changing kaleidoscope of Sarah Palin revelations, of course, which is occupying most of my free brain cells just now. I am fascinated by the flipflop of liberal and conservative view on this issue: Phyllis Schlafly, who has long been an outspoken foe of women’s rights, thinks Palin is the best person for the job of VP. I who have worked in small ways for women’s rights, think Palin should stay in Alaska, and take care of her special needs baby, and be there for her daughters. Family values apparently has multiple definitions.
As I write this, self-described Democrat Joe Lieberman is speaking at the Republican National Convention about what a good president Bill Clinton was, and the Republicans are applauding Clinton. It’s hard to keep up. I’m turning to Comedy Central for now.
