The Warm Heart of Novosibirsk

I had a beyond fantastic trip to Novosibirsk this year. The purpose of the journey was to be a part of a concert at the new, Arnold Kats State Concert Hall with the truly talented group of musicians of the Novosibirsk Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra. The concert was in two parts, the first was with Novosibirsk piano player, Roman Stolyar with his original compositions and the second half was with me, singing songs from the American Songbook, Singers & Songwriters material and some American Popular musics.

The Novosibirsk Philharmonic Society puts on several different music events that includes the chamber orchestra, the philharmonic orchestra, the SibJazz Festival and also many other musical performance events.

2 years ago I was a part of the SibJazz Festival. My performance received a very positive response, so I was contacted again the following year and asked if I would be interested in returning in 2014 to work with the chamber orchestra. Of course, I was thrilled to be able to work with these amazing and talented musicians. We made the arrangements and I was, once again, heading to Siberia!!!

People hear Siberia and they think, cold, desolate place. The cold part is right, some parts are desolate but Novosibirsk is a large, vibrant city. A city rich in history and culture. Music is a large part of that culture and the audiences who attend the concerts that are hosted by the Novosibirsk Philharmonic Society are filled with warm and passionate people with a deep love of good music.

The three lovely ladies who handle these arrangements, make it such a pleasure to make this journey. Aliona Bolkvadze, Natalia Miller & Anastasia Sheveleva. I can't forget the artistic guidance from the leader and talented violinist of the chamber orchestra, Yulia Rubina.

The song list that I performed with this great group:

I Loves You Porgy

April In Paris

The Island

Dindi

Everything Must Change

And I Love Him

Don't Explain

When I Fall In Love

I am humbled by some of the incredible music opportunities that have come my way. I truly look forward to a future of more cultural and artistic co operations with Novosibirsk Philharmonic Society.

 Later fa you!!
Jetsetting Diva, out.

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Oh Yeah, It's Been a While! But Now...

I've been busy letting my life, in general, discombobulate me. Lot's of things have been changing in my music worlds and personal life so sometimes it's a bit hard to keep up with my posting.

My surgery for the diaphragm paralysis is scheduled after many battles going back and forth with the hospital. They wanted to do it YESTERDAY, but as I'm leaving today for Siberia, that didn't seem like it was going to work out. Bummer. The doctor who's doing the surgery is a specialist from another country coming in to do it, so now it will be happening in October. There you have it.

Now we're done with that tralala I can move onto music!!

There have been big changes made in YSJE, the band I have proudly been a member of for 13 years, this March. This year the band has seen quite the evolution. As 40 year band member, Jens Arne Molvær retired and passed the reigns onto talented clarinetist, Lars Frank, we now have only one original member of YSJE, Einar Aarø on banjo. With a lot of young talent in the band, it has gotten a new life in Traditional Jazz.

I'm still going strong as a featured vocalist with the guys in Funky Butt and Gumbo. My dear friends in Gumbo, Kåre Nymark, David Gald, Even Kruse Skatrud and Kenneth Ekornes will be joining, once again, Paul David Longstreth and myself for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. It was a great success last year and they asked us to do it again! Lovely.

I'll be heading home to New Orleans to be a part of French Quarter Festival on 11 April and the release of the new CD that Paul David and I are releasing, Tricia Boutte & The Bootleg Operation's , Oh New Orleans, Here I Come! We will also do some other sets around town. I'll make sure to keep everyone up to date on where we will play.

Now, I've gotta run! I have to finish getting myself together to leave for Novosibirsk today.

Later fa you!!!!