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Miner Works of Art Newsletter |  |
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Greetings! From Canada to the UK and from Blues & Jazz to saying goodbye to old friends, May 2009 has been a whirlwind of highs and lows. I hope that this note finds you well and thriving through the challenging times that we seem to find ourselves among. For me, art and music, friends and family and the surprises that wait around each corner inspire each new day. I would like to share a few of those moments with you and if you have the time maybe you can share some of yours with me. I hope to catch up with you soon. With warm regards, Bettie Grace Miner  Photo by Denise Waichunas
The Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards ~ 2009 ~ Highlights from the awards ceremony ~ I've just returned from the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards in Toronto, Canada. What a great weekend! Congratulations to all those that took home an award. There was so much talent and just not enough awards to go around. The award itself, which was a musical collage on canvas created especially for the awards, was a little different in that it was a flat piece of art, not a sculpture. When I was asked to create the award I wondered if anyone would want a painting as an award. But I'm thrilled to report that everyone loved it and I've been asked to create the award for 2010. Many thanks, love and appreciation go out to Doug and Mary Kirk of 94.7 The Wave, Ontario, for keeping the music going strong! For a complete list of nominees, winners and all the festivities, click on the Wave link.
On the Air ...
and .... In the Studio With Blake Aaron Blake Aaron took a little time out from his very busy on-air, studio and performance schedules to visit Bettie's studio for a photo shoot recently. In the words of Eric Marienthal (which Blake quoted on the air) he "Just had to get Miner-ized!" A good time was had by all and Blake invited Bettie to drop in for a little on-air interview, just in time to talk about the KSBR Birthday Bash, share stories and give away concert tickets. Where you listening? If you were - say hi! P.S. Did you know that you can listen to KSBR around the globe? Just go to the website and live stream ~ you'll love it, I promise!
KSBR Birthday Bash 20th Anniversary Sunday, May 24, 2009 Bettie Grace Miner's artwork is the official art for the 20th Anniversary KSBR Birthday Bash. Be sure to check out the CD compilation that will be available with music by many of the current and past performers. Bettie's artwork was adapted by Tony Guerrero for the cover artwork. Bettie loves the "Blue Note" feeling this trumpeter and Bash host put into the art. Who's Playing the Bash? KSBR just announced that Elizabeth Mis will be joining Boney James, Craig Chaquico, Freddie Fox with Evelyn "Champagne" King, Gregg Karukas, Brian Bromberg, Dan Siegel, Shilts, Greg Adams and Michael Paulo with East Bay Soul, Nils, Chieli Minucci, Jim Peterik, and Bill Cantos at the KSBR Birthday Bash on May 24. Nearly 50 jazz musicians will take the stage this year. KSBR began revealing artists on May 1 and will announce the next one Tuesday at noon! Drop by the "Jazz Central" tent and check out a display of Jazz Art by Bettie Grace Miner. You'll find event posters, the official Bash CD, and all the artists will be dropping by as well to sign autographs after their show.
Jazz & Blues Exhibit at The Kaya Gallery May 1, 2009 Photo: Opening night at Kaya Gallery's contribution to the Barbic Jazz & Blues Festival in Plymouth, UK Jazz Art by Bettie Grace Miner is represented by The Kaya Gallery in the UK. Select pieces were featured for the Barbic Jazz & Blues Festival. Gallery Contact: Norman Holmes and Neil Holden
Doheny Blues Festival OK - You know I love jazz, but do you know how much I LOVE Blues? Well, it's true. So, with no show to promote, no book, no prints, no nothing ~ I just wanted to give a shout-out to my friends at Omega Events and say I can hardly wait to see you at the Doheny Blues Festival this weekend. I will be there and I'd love to see you there, too. Here is all the info: 12th Annual Doheny Blues Festival May 16th and 17th · Doheny State Beach · Dana Point, CA
Speaking of guitars.... Has anybody seen Paul Jackson Jr's missing guitars? Someone broke into Paul's car and stole three of his beloved guitars. Though it's a long shot, he's hoping somebody can help spot them. Here's a special message from Paul: "Unfortunately three of my favorite guitars were stolen and I am asking everyone I know and visitors to my site to be on the lookout for them since they are easily recognizable." They are: #1-Paul Reed Smith Singlecut Hollow Body II- This is the one on the back of the "Lay it Back" CD package. #2-Paul Reed Smith 513-blue #3-Jose Oribe Classical w/ RMC Pickup System. If you can help, please reach out to Paul directly.
Wayman Tisdale June 9, 1964 - May 15, 2009 With a broken heart, I join so many around the world in saying goodbye to this joyful and loving man, athlete, musician, father, grandfather, husband and brother to everyone he ever knew. His beaming smile and the larger than life bear hug he was so generous with will be sadly missed. The legacy of the music he left us makes us all richer and comforts us with it's upbeat and embracing spirit.
Anyone who knew Wayman Tisdale has a story. So do I. In sharing the stories we can remember how he made us smile. My "Tis" story is one that I'll always cherish. When I was setting up a photo shoot with Wayman, and trying to come up with a creative interpretation of his portrait, I was standing next to him and looking "way up" as he would have said. Being only 5'6" myself, looking up at his 6'9" frame I recall saying "Damn, son.... you're so big we're going to have to shoot you in sections!" Well that was it! We both laughed like crazy and I told him that this is exactly what we'd do. Back then I photographed everyone with a Polaroid camera and hand-manipulated the photos as they developed. Wayman was fascinated by this technique and was having a great time at the photo shoot. He was a great sport when I told him not to move his big feet while I shot the three separate photographs (while laying on the floor looking up at him) and manipulated them while he watched and waited patiently. Unfortunately, he was supposed to be on stage at the Inglewood Jazz Festival. But we were having too much fun and he refused to go. He wanted to do "just one more shot" and then "just one more with my cousin". Well, you get the idea. Finally, the promoter had to send a car for him and get two guys to drag him away (not an easy task for anyone). We always planned to do another shooting to pick up where we left off, but as life goes sometimes, the new shooting never happened. The triptych (three shots that make up one image) shown here was framed life size and hung at Spaghettini Grill & Jazz Club near the stage as a surprise when Wayman played there. If you knew him, you know how big he smiled. Larger than life. We'll miss you big man! All my heart goes out to Regina, his four children, grand daughter, family, friends and fans.
Music is well said to be the speech of angels. ~ Thomas Carlyle (1795 - 1881)
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