Jazz Christmas

A JAZZ Christmas, by Jack Sheldon

"Hey, you guys got anything slow?"

"Well, January and February....."

Christmas time and the holidays
I go from gig to gig.
Settin' up and tearin' down
at least I'm still in town.
I'm playin' nice and simple for the old folks.
If they heard my flat five's and my minor nine's
I'd be heading for the unemployment line.

Cha cha this and rhumba
Then it's rock n roll.
Break's too long, and the band's too loud
Critics in the crowd
The leader's gettin' nervous
and his son is sitting in.
Yes, it's a Jazz Musicians' Christmas

Cancel moves on the vocalist, hubby's playin' drums.
Sure could use an open bar
But got stuff in the car.
Requests sent on a napkin
wow, a dollar heh, heh, that's good.

Remembering the bridges to those Christmas tunes
are the death of me - in the singer's key.
One more set, we're closin' in.
Get them out the door.
We've done the hits, we've made it snow.
So why don't they just go.
The host forgot his checkbook, [I hate that!]
And the bread's stuck in the mail.
Oh, yes, it's a Jazz Musician's Christmas

Where did the music go?

We hear.. therefore it is. I sing, you hear, therefore it is. The music plays, you hear, therefore it is. [bear with me]

But, what happens to the music, when the musician dies? Ever thought about that?
A person spends years of their life performing..... their notes rising up in numerous music halls... rising, rising...wafting into the crevices of every corner.... reaching every music patron or enthusiast in the house. Somehow, it collects there with a multitude of symphonies, arias, concertos, rhapsodies, solos, duets... every last note..........

yet...

Where does it go after the musician passes on? Will it remain in the ears of the listener forever? Is there a concert etched into the architecture of the hall?

Will we say to one another - "You should have heard her/him perform... [insert obligatory praise here]... ah, that was talent."

These days, we are fortunate to have the assistance of technology to keep us in touch
with the designated 'masters.'

What about those working to be acknowledged as 'master ' and run out of time?
Those talented, yet brilliant, that never laid down a track.... or been immortalized forever?

Where did their music go?

Where will YOUR music go?

MUSIC or LYRICS?

What captivates you most in a song? Are the lyrics mesmerizing... playful? Does the melody haunt you ... claim you? Being a vocalist, I can assure you that, nine times out of ten, the melody DOES something to me. If it is a great song, it winds through my every being and I HAVE to learn it! Then I become "its" addict. Yes, one can "overdose" on music.... but what an addiction to have, right?

Currently, I sing traditional Jazz Standards. My favorites happen to be written by a great lyricist: Johnny Mercer ... sheer poetry! When I was a young singer, it was all about the tune.. and the livelier, the better. As an adult, I have found great songs that combine great melody with beautifully expressive lyrics. My favorite, in that category is Mercer's SKYLARK.... the music mournfully weaves the song with the lyrics... BEAUTIFUL!

FYI, this year is Johnny Mercer's 90th celebration... listen to his music, or sing one of HIS songs to celebrate his birthday in November.

Skylark, have you anything to say to me?
Won't you tell me where my love can be?
Is there a meadow in the mist
where someone's waiting to be kissed?

Skylark, have you seen a valley green with spring
where my heart can go a journeying
over the shadows and the rain
to a blossom covered lane?

And in your lonely flight
haven't you heard the music in the night,
wonderful music,
faint as a will o' the wisp, crazy as a loon,
sad as a gypsy serenading the moon.

Oh, skylark, I don't know if you can find these things
but my heart is riding on your wings.
So if you see them anywhere
won't you lead me there?
Won't you tell me where my love can be?
Is there a meadow in the mist
where someone's waiting to be kissed?

Skylark, have you seen a valley green with spring
where my heart can go a journeying
over the shadows and the rain
to a blossom covered lane?

And in your lonely flight
haven't you heard the music in the night,
wonderful music,
faint as a will o' the wisp, crazy as a loon,
sad as a gypsy serenading the moon.


Oh, skylark, I don't know if you can find these things
but my heart is riding on your wings.
So if you see them anywhere
won't you lead me there?

June Christy

Have you ever bought yourself an album and thought, I like the artist...but the album is not grabbing me right away. So, you scan through songs quickly, listening to the obvious tunes, and finally find a fav song. After overdosing on the one song.. you give the rest of the music a chance. Then ZING, you are hooked. It's the only album that travels in the car.. on the ipod...and so on.

I was never familiar with June Christy's work, only came across it by chance when I borrowed the album "Something Cool" from a friend. Who was the singer? Everyone knows about Peggy Lee, even Julie London and the usual standards that are sung. June delivers powerful tunes with lyrics by the late, great Johnny Mercer, Sammy Cahn and many lesser know lyricists. [There are even a handful of tunes penned by Mel Torme. It's a really good recording. I enjoy her varied and passionate performance, sung with her hazy vocal quality.

My rep, as a Jazz vocalist, is pretty extensive, but will never be long enough. I get song ideas from the vocalists of the earlier Jazz era. What singer doesn't? So, the search for some beautiful, yet obscure music has begun. It is challenging, but very much worth the effort.

I have to - NEED to - SING the songs.... stay tuned.............hugz!

Judy- The Show!

It has been a life long dream of mine - ever since I sat in front of our black & white TV as a child, awaiting the yearly airing of THE WIZARD OF OZ - to sing a show centering around Judy Garland’s music. She ‘taught’ me to sing. Not meaning to say that I didn’t have lessons - Judy conveyed a natural passion as a singer/actress that compelled me to follow my own journey in music.

My personal tribute to Judy and her music, will be debuted at the STRONG NATIONAL MUSEUM OF PLAYS Making American Music.

A STAR IS BORN: Music of the Silver Screen - The performance will include memorable music that Judy sang as a young girl, a young actress in MGM films, and finally - in concert.

ONE NIGHT ONLY!

January 13, 2010

7:30pm

For more information, ticket pricing and directions go to:

http://www.museumofplay.org/plan_a_visit/mam.html

Hope to see you there! ~Ann

Welcome Fans, Friends and Family!

Ann Mitchell Jazz is proud to be launching a Blogspot as well as the new and improved Ann Mitchell Jazz website!

Updates, Photos, Concert Dates and more can be found here at:

http://www.annsings.com

http://annmitchelljazz.blogspot.com

Thank you for your continued support and love!

~Ann