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 A child prodigy, Shirley Horn began playing piano at age four. Her parents realized their daughter possessed a special gift, and began her formal musical training at age five. Shirley became so obsessed with the piano that her mother offered her bribes in an attempt to get her away from the instrument so that she would play with the neighborhood children. At just 12 years of age she studied composition at Howard University and at 18 was awarded a scholarship to study at Julliard in New York, where she soon began her career as a recording artist. One of the highlights of her career was her artistic association with Miles Davis. Throughout her career she received numerous accolades and honors: A Grammy Award recipient and seven time Grammy Award nominee. Other honors include the prestigious France Academie Du Jazz's Billy Holiday Award, Inductee into the Lionel Hampton Hall of Fame, voted Number One female vocalist in the Down Beat magazine's Critics' Poll. Shirley Horn was an original. Not a scat vocalist but rather a sensitive vocalist whose musical genius was the essence of true jazz. What are your thoughts on recognizing "genius"? Take moment to share a line or two on my Blog.Enjoy Shirley Horn's music @ this link:http://www.lala.com/#artist/Shirley_Horn
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March 1, 2010 - Issue No. 3
Last week a friend shared a humorous
email that told the story of a man who was so enthusiastic about the
first big
snowstorm. With delight he went
outside to tackle the shoveling.
He came in to a warm drink and cozy home when he was done. Then about two days later, there was
another large snowfall. He
dutifully repeated the snow removal exercise - still in high spirits. There were about four or five more big
storms and each time his spirits and energy deteriorated until the last
storm. By then his temperament
bordered on maniacal and his joy had turned to sentences full of
expletives to
describe the winter. Right about
now, people are probably feeling worn down and battered from the massive
snowfalls, shoveling, cancellations, and treacherous conditions for
driving and
walking. The elderly may have been homebound for weeks because of the
poor
walking conditions.
To
offset the blues let music lift your spirits. In
this weeks Newsletter, I highlighted two of my favorite recording
artists: Shirley Horn and David Leonhardt (see my latest Blog). A winter storm can be the
perfect time to put on some good music and curl up with a good book and see how quickly your mood will be lifted. If
you are getting cabin fever and
are ready to venture back out into the world, visit someone who is homebound
and cheer them and yourself. Or, simply take a
walk for few minutes
to invigorate yourself and clear your mind while listening to your iPod. On the other hand, it is a great time to bond
with family, to take out the board games, bake some cookies, pop some
popcorn and make these cold winter days into memorable moments to look
back on fondly. What is life
but a series of memories. Take
out the digital camera and make some memories that you will enjoy
reminiscing
about in the coming years when the conversation turns back to "'The
Snowstorms of
2010". Even though it may look
like old man winter is hanging around longer than we would
like, spring is not far away.
For Further Support Go To The Website: "The Focused Series"
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NURTURING OUR CHILDREN'S SOULS AND GENIUS WITH MUSIC AND ART
 Children are naturally inquisitive and creative. When I brought my baby home from the hospital two decades ago, I would turn on the classical music station for him to nap by. I would marvel at the expressions on his face as this infant heard varying sounds. His eyebrows would move, and he would smile with a blissful expression as he slept. I intentionally steeped his childhood experience in music and art. As a young child, he began private piano lessons for twelve years, and violin and saxophone instruction with band and orchestra participation in elementary, middle and high school. Today, he credits much of his success to various aspects of his music training.
I have been of the personal opinion that the human being is primarily a creative entity and when that expression is thwarted, it reacts with violence. I have not tested this empirically. Yet, I think this is part of the growing problem of violence we see among our youth. Their creative avenues are blocked. I came across a story about a young musical prodigy who was discovered in an over crowded juvenile hall. Where would our children be if they had instruments and art in their lives as they grew up? What could they be?
http://www.vermontcommunityworks.org/cwjonline/articles/cityhearts.html
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Some of you may recall me mentioning I have been working on an exciting book project. I am happy to report it is almost ready for press and soon to be released! That is all I can say for now, but you will be the first to get the scoop right here on our newsletter. Here is another little tidbit: It is an anthology and I am going to be in the company of some of your favorite writers. I'll have more to share in the next issue of our newsletter.
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NEWS FROM  SINFONIA ORCHESTRA
MIKE KRISUKAS"LAZY DOGMA"
Mike Krisukas, guitarist, composer, songwriter and member of the
alternative music group, Zen For Primates, has been commissioned by the
Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra to compose a musical work that will premiere on
March 27, 2010, 7:30 PM at Symphony Hall, Allentown. Mike is a member of my Jazz Committee for the Allentown
Symphony Association. We are
excited and proud that he will unveil this product of his genius for the
Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra, amid a program of Mozart, Tschaikovsky, and
Prokiev. His is work entitled Lazy Dogma. Of it, he says, "...it seems that the day to day aspect of life can easily fall into a kind of non-stop cacophony of simplicity. That 'Lazy Dogma' sleeping on the back porch. the piece itself uses a few very simple themes, which develop quickly and change direction, tempo and tonal center often. The music is set inside the conscience of an evolving human with two departures to 'outside' musical performances with our wandering protagonist witnesses."
For more information visit the PA Sinfonia Orchestra website: www.pasinfoina.org
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