Tena Palmer: news

Surprised (or am I? really?)to find the samples from the E. coast recording sessions, fit to a T, the songs in tempos chosen in Reykjavik, 6 mo. later. The rhythms of beach rocks, birdsong and waves, work in perfect sync with the spirit and tempos of the song written on either side of this Atlantic Ocean.

Lately, I am doing regular gigs with AIMT collaborators.... and love it every time. So many great, interesting musicians in the hood'.

Enjoying the possibility of hooking up with Icelandic musicians,  Matthias Hemstock and Johann Johannsson, in TO in May. . Just spent 10 days in studio with Matti adn Hilmar J. in Rvk.. and happy with the fruits of our playtime. Matti has great ears and got good sounds, the best raw material.

Walking wee Buck and his buddy, Rotweiller Red in burgeoning spring weather reminds me of living in the Netherlands. Last Easter, was Paskafri ( pron: pow ska- free)in Rvk.... Lang Fostudag i Frikirku....then London and NS.

This Easter, it's pascoa,(pron: pawsh quoi) in Portugal Square.... with Red and Bucky..and samples and cd to edit.

Been enjoying some gigs in galleries and some tasteful corporate events, had a great Mar 17th gig at the Rex with 10tanturc-rooknicvic

Performances in the works:

Duo with Marilyn Lerner in Russia next year (tba),

Spring Icelandic collaboratons in N. America

Touring new cd in Fall.

 

there is so much new growth and opportunity this spring. Hope to see you soon, in whatever place you dwell.

bless, bless,

Tena

only a short note to say how delighted ( down to my bones) i am, to be back in my old home town of Reykjavik, recording the next cd with my dear friends, percussionist, Matthias Hemstock (Johann Johannsson ++) and guitarist Hilmar Jensson ( Alas No Axis, Tyft, +++).....after some pre-production today's first recordings went beautifully. I am a happy gal with happy pals. As we all agree, it's about time!
...but then, isn't everything?
love to all.
especially Buck E. Baudoux, my new puppy, being so well cared-for back in the Annex.

Thanks to everyone who's visiting this page. I am grateful for your support and thanks for listening to the music, and coming out to shows.
Last one this year, will be with my Halifax Improvising Pals..H.I.P., wha?

Thanks to the Canada Council and all the other arts councils in this country for supporting those who work toward non-commercial goals.

Thanks to all family and friends for love, listening and lodgings. I am ever indebted to you always.

Thanks to JoAnn MacKay and Terry for taking such excellent care of my new Xmas pup, Buck E. Baudoux.
Thanks to all my pals world wide, for their love,support and understanding - We'll see each other soon.
Best wishes to all
and to all....
Lighten UP
be happy
seek joy
be well.

Log time no see...
on the road by the sea
little i-net for me
yesterday, my birthdeee...
with my peeps; family

keeping good company
with me Uncle, Lenny
Colleen, Buster, Nicky

Ma's gone bionic
with a new pace maker
so I'm pickin' in the Gonish for a bit, watchful of the old gal; re-fitteded for speed and needing frequent friendly reminders to chill while healing and re-attaining mach speed.
Mahoney's is like bath water, and the eagles are fewer this year, over the river.
Head to Parrsboro to wrangle free improvisers (a contradiction ? ) with some great pals of the musical and theatrical persuasions....planning a beach-fire clam-bake for a 'nother birthday bash wit da family of artists I also love so well!
teach in the AM - write and dig clams in the aft.... sing and carouse in the eve... sounds like a good gig!

Love to all ! & enjoy the sweet tail of summer: gardens and berries yielding fat delight
the Mackerel are running on Cape George and thanks to the fishing skills of Blaine Mattie I go home to my favourite meal today.
John Prine's at the Cohen... and all is right with the world.
Looking forward to Iceland and recording this new material there in the fall.... after fresh sounds and perspective of this treasured summer in me auld sod''...this is some of the most beautiful country and I have been spoiled to have lived well on each coast and in between.

Love to Gene and Lori having B'days today!
Chat again when I can.
Bless bless,
T.

After 2 weeks on the Island at the Dorphanage, snorkelling every other day....following a skate along the sand... Did you know they use their hind basal fins like feet? left, right, left, right....? Until you get too close, then the frilling wings take over and they scoot!...Big crabs, lobster ( which I DID NOT steal from the local fisherfolk! who were kind enough to front us a few - upon my arrival. It's an old habit from my annual return from Reykjavik for sun and the end of June's "lobsterpalooza".
Starfish on the rocks and moonfish in the sand...Birdsong, agian reminding me how we humans are amateurs when it comes to music.
Recording and writing in this place comes naturally. Wonderful cousins & new & old friends from years past.

Sad goodbyes to cousin Estee Mason, another singer in the clan and a brilliant woman. I was a month too late to meet-up with my hero, Everett Baudoux whom I had been so anxious to visit again and interview....too late! Gone at 90yrs... and lived each day with a greater sense of wonder than most 7 yr olds I know.
Last Tuesday, my dear old friend, Bill Forbes finished mowing his lawn, laid on the couch with his hands behind his head... The RCMP found him that way when he failed to show at the Ship's Company Theatre in Parrsboro.... I was headed there to visit many pals, with whom I have acted and performed over the years. Bill & I worked together in a play in P.E.I. & Peace River, AL in '83. Bill was such a good man, great kind friend and a wonderful actor writer and artist. We shall miss him dearly.

Now on the Fundy shore in the Annapolis Valley.. a shore I discover now for the first time...~! What paradise! Thanks to dear friends and family, agian, for the lifts & cottage & gracious hospitality and excellent good laughs & jams.
Learning more than expected about family and the nature of friendship... Learning to relax more. Remembering how essential is the sea to my general health... mental, emotional, physical....
Never saw so many hummingbirds at once...! A dozen at a time & more!
Rocks to climb & for the sea to crash upon.... then the kindest folks with humour to spare and lots to share!
Still spend most of the days writing, recording.. playing guitar late at night and jamming with the neighbors...
Wish you all the best summer ever!!
peace!

Wonderful end to an intense week of rehearsal with such divine company
at the compser's residency for the Ottawa Jazz Festival; wonderful, diverse music!
Playing at the same time as Wayne Shorter - ( who, by all reliable reports is sounding more deeply clear, in all musical ways.
Still, had a full house and the tunes are still ringing in my head as I write from my brother's place in NS....
Am now working on a composing project and a walk in the foggy dawn around this beautiful neighborhood; so symphonic with bird song!... even owls.. A murder of 5 crows followed me for an hour ( i held a crow feather... maybe they weren't amused? ..or followed the scuffing singer sotto voce.... )
A fine start to 6 wks of writing music to rec, w/ hilmar and matti in Rvk. in Aug.
Off to the Ard. to meet dear ones!
Codfish cakes, beans, & the best tea in town, here I come!

hi everyone
apologies for such an absence !
Taking a wee break from fiinishing up a commission for 7 Strands of Sound, the composer's residency at the Ottawa Jazz Festival with:
Andy Milne and Benoit Delbecq-pianos, Petr Cancura - reeds & mandolin, Isaiah Ceccarelli- perc & drums, Pierre-Yves Martel- viola da gamba, Michael Occhipinti - guitar.
What fun with friends, old and new... haven't seen Benoit since 2000 in Hfx.. and Andy, since we lived in Mtl... ages ago!

After that, off to NS for July to work on a new writing project, many thanks to the Can. Council for the Arts... I was the top rated applicant in my category and feel blessed to have the freedom that comes with funding. I will compose - sample sounds - voices - swim in the sea and write some more....
then, off to Reykjavik to collaborate with dear hearts, Hilmar Jensson and Matthias Hemstock ( both touring now with amazing bands) .. creating new pieces with the sound samples and gigging at the Icelandic jazz fest at the end of Aug.... It will be heavenly to work, with my kindred buddies again and of course, see my heart's other home and all the dear friends.... do some riding, diving, perhaps and get to the north to be with my second family in Akureyri.
Well, there's my break-time.. back to the composing!~
C'mon out to the gig Jul. 2 at the N.A.C. 4th stage 9 PM

Dessert, for me, is a roots workshop with old pal and former bandmate from Little Thicket, Vince Halfhide, Petr C. and others.... 1 PM Jul. 3rd - And IT'S FREE!!
see you on the trail.
Happy Canada Day!~

Saturday, Dec. 20, 7:30 (doors open at 7:00), reception to follow
First Unitarian Congregation, 30 Cleary Avenue
tickets at door $20/$15 seniors, students
Info: 613 715-9648, frayne568@aol.com

After a four-year holiday from jazz gigs, local saxman and composer Rob Frayne has realized that music is fun. Bringing together some serious musical talent to play and sing, he has selected and written some jazz tunes. He has also taken the liberty to arrange a few Christmas songs.

On this gig, he is reuniting with Chelsea Bridge collaborator and singer Tena Palmer for what promises to be an interesting mix of old and new. New York City jazzmeisters Gordon Webster, on piano, and Petr Cancura, on tenor sax, will anchor the band, while local singer/songwriters Megan Jerome, Shannon Smith, Jeremy Sills as well as singer Martine Courage, along with some of their kids, will round out the band’s festive sounds.

Ho Ho Ho! Some carols will be sung.

Starring:
Tena Palmer (TO) voice
Gordon Webster (NYC) piano
Petr Cancura (NYC) tenor sax, clarinet, mandolin
Rob Frayne (Westboro) tenor sax, bass clarinet

Also featuring:
Martine Courage (the West) voice
Megan Jerome (Planet Coffee) voice, accordion
Shannon Smith (Weatherfield) voice

Introducing: Scott, Marielle and Abbey, voices
Special guest: Jeremy Sills, singing bowls

The First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa is located on 30 Cleary Avenue in the West End of Ottawa about a kilometer east of the intersection of Woodroffe Ave. and Richmond Road (turn N. on cleary off Richmond). The tall spire is visible from Richmond Road and the Ottawa River Parkway.

We do them rarely enough and so many folks are asking when the next one will be... so I'm extra grateful to series programmer, Jane Perry, for inviting us!
The performance will include a mix of our favourite pieces from each of our original songbooks, as well as some beauties from other sources which we both find inspiring. Roddy's pieces include chamber-jazz or what I consider contemporary (he)art song, with such elegant and moving lyrics by the great Ottawa poet, Sandra Nicholls.( Whose books of poetry I highly reccommend.)
Rod and I have toured, recorded & performed various repertoires in our long association... two of my favourites, Roddy & Sandra's, 'Too Far', and my yet to be released, 'North Atlantic Ocean' - (written on a 5 day freighter voyage from Reykjavik to Rotterdam). These 2 songs were performed with an 8 pc international ensemble - in a live CBC broadcast from Neptune Theatre at the Halifax Jazz fest....
We'l also be indulging in pure fun, blowing & swinging on Gershwin's "Cheek to Cheek", coddling a lovely, heart-melting country waltz, " When I Think of Angels", by my dear ginger friend, Kristjan Kristjansson ( one of Iceland's brightest singing /songwriting stars.)There will be new compositions by both of us as well... so world-premiers are imminent. In Roddy's words: "I like the idea of keeping it simple and eclectic. A wise old bird once told me it doesn't matter what tunes you do, it's how you do them! We'll ... move the audience, have fun, make majic!!! I'm really looking forward to it."

"Me too, ka-Roddy!"

Tuesday, November 4 to Friday, November 7

At the Tranzac 292 Brunswick

Tuesday, Nov. 4 9 p.m.

Eclectricity

The Woodchoppers Association

The Water Gears (Avi Granite – guitar; Lina Allemano – trumpet; Peter Lutek – reeds; Scott Peterson – bass)

Cawthray-Palmer (Chris Cawthray – percussion; Tena Palmer – voice)

This was a huge delight; the duo with C.C. on Tues. and a reunion with our victo-riousville 7-tet on fridee niiiight!
Highlights for me:
Water Gears - Lina Rocks! as does the whole band. Singing Anafi with Chris' psychic percussion accompaniment and the feeling of entrancement by the listeners.... Thena piece of 9 minutes singing with whales & Chris... which really felt like a live trialogue....the interplay and melodicism of cetaceans! Holy Blowhole, Ahab!

Wednesday, Nov. 5 9 p.m.

Voice Over

Paul Dutton Group (Paul Dutton, Christine Duncan, Nobuo Kubota, W. Mark Sutherland – voices; Parmela Attariwala – violin; Tomasz Krakowiak – drums; Aidan Closs – guitar)

Thursday, Nov. 6 9 p.m.

Abstract Instinct host David Dacks (CIUT-FM, Exclaim)

Nilan Perera Unit (Nilan Perera – guitar, effects; Aaron Lumley – bass; Dan Gaucher – drums)

Job Cain (Jeremy Strachan – reeds; Jason Hay – reeds; Aaron Lumley – bass; Gregg Brennan – drums)

Gravitons (Mani Mansinani – drums; Jill Lucie Aston – electric guitar)

Friday, Nov. 7 9 p.m.

Sonic Soirée

The Book of Gnomes (Ben Bowen – brass, keyboards, metallophone; Nick Zubeck – guitar, lap steel, effects; James Castle – bass, loops; Marshall Bureau – drums, percussion)

EAR-CAM (Glen Hall – woodwinds, electroacoustics; Tena Palmer – voice; Rob Clutton – bass; Mike Hansen – turntables; Bruce Cassidy – electronic valve instrument (EVI); James Bailey – amplified objects, fretless guitar; Chris Cawthray – percussion)

EAR-CAM shone brightly with Bruce Cassidy's amazing groove, astonishing sound choices and lively ingenuity. And I love the ever surprizing - witty palette of sonic textures provided by Mike and James... Chris, Rob and the dramatic bits with our leader, Glen, on Dutch Schultz's Last Words and Goodbye, Hiroshima, Almogordo, Bikini Atoll, ...
thanks to the many friends who came out; new and old and their kind response to our work. It feels so good to know how the music is recieved.
Hope to see you at the Bent Folk series at Somewhere There, (Jan/Feb.) curated by James Bailey.. my set will probably be in Jan. so come back for updates & please sign the guest book & mailing list! Love to hear from you.!!

Oh! and one more thing: Big welcome to Georgia the GEM, first child of my long time dear pal, Geordie and mom, Lisa. Beautiful beautiful child!
Love to all!

had a great Sunday in the studio working on new material with Dan Artuso.
What a treat to hear a real guitar player on these new pieces.....and the luxury of creamy sounds and a creative playground in which to experiment. Very heartening and encouraging more tunes asap.... this session was followed by a very fun evening at buddy, Lynn Miles' 50th B-Day bash at Irene's Pub in Ottawa.
Also a benefit for an African children's charity. Fantastic to meet old pals and colleagues and make wonderful new friends with excellent songwriters!
Check-out the Calendar for new dates up-coming in Nov. and Dec. with various brilliant and delightfully varied musical companions.

Mon & Tues was spent teaching at Carleton U. I have space for only one or 2 more private students in Ottawa. Love all my students now! They inspire and teach me a great deal....and we Laugh!!>??hoo-ee!
Love to you all til next time~! tena LP

What a hoot! Great crowd!
The most fun was the treat of playing with dear old buddies again!
Many requests for more originals... next time.
As for me, I was amazed once more at Murley's subtlety as an accompanist....adding tasteful adornment to a song while musically referring to the lyric. The sound of Ted Warren on the kit... caused several moments of deja vu...and it was such a gas to blow, "with that wind up my skirt" - (if you get my meaning!)
Reg.- never ceasing to surprize and impress, pulled-out a guitar sound from some blacksploitation film soundtrack for Guardian Angel - appropriately shredding the solo. Jim; head-up and on the spot - and such lyrical lines! What a happy bevy of larks!

The Glenn Hall Ear/Cam ensemble from Toronto seemedto polarize the audience: folks either loved it or disliked it. This disparity of opinion seemed to be a thread that ran through this entire fest, as we often discussed each set and argued about what we dug or didn't enjoy. Glenn had a 7-piece electro-acoustic ensemblewith the instrumentation of (Hall on) tenor sax & bass clarinet,trumpet or EWI (electronic wind instrument), a female vocalist,turntables, guitar, bass and drums, plus added electronics & amplified objects. The first piece turned out to be a version of Stockhausen's "Japan" and was filled with Erstwhile-like space and suspense. The vocalist (Tena Palmer) used her voice in a variety of weird ways and I dug what she added to the blend. The second piece was called, "The Last Time I Saw Dutch (Schultz)", the infamous Jewish gangster from Newark, NJ. Both Glenn and Tena read passages from Dutch Schultz' s final words as he lay dying after being shot. It was truly nightmarish and most affective, with layers of voices, electronic sounds and some twisted music floating ominously aroundthe room. "Terminal Beach" was the final piece and dedicated to all of the places where man has tested nuclear weapons. Again, the strange sounds and ghost-like voices did a great job of reminding us that the residue of this nuclear testing will not leave these areas for thousands of years to come.

Bruce Lee Gallanter Downtown Music Gallery

Scott Yanow Completes The Jazz Singers, His Tenth Jazz Book
Scott Yanow, a veteran jazz journalist who has written about all styles of jazz during the past 30 years, recently completed The Jazz Singers. The huge book, which has profiles on the top 521 jazz singers of all time, is scheduled to be published and released by Hal Leonard in October 2008.

The Jazz Singers covers every significant jazz vocalist from 1900-2007, ranging from Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday and Mel Torme to Diana Krall and Jamie Cullum. It follows a long string of important and highly rated books by Yanow, including Classic Jazz, Swing, Bebop, Afro-Cuban Jazz, Trumpet Kings, Jazz On Film and Jazz On Record 1917-76. Yanow's vast knowledge of both jazz history and the current jazz scene has resulted in his work becoming definitive books that are widely read and consulted.

In his career, Scott Yanow has contributed to virtually every important jazz magazine including Jazz Times, Jazziz, Downbeat, Cadence, Coda, The Mississippi Rag and the Los Angeles Jazz Scene plus the All Music Guide website. He was the jazz editor for Record Review, co-produced a series of reissue CDs for Allegro Imports, has contributed to several festival programs (most recently the Playboy Jazz Festival), has penned over 500 liner notes and was the editor of the 3rd edition of the All Music Guide To Jazz. It is believed that he has written more jazz record reviews than anyone in history.

The Glenn Hall Ear/Cam ensemble from Toronto was next and seemedto polarize the audience: folks either loved it or disliked it. Thisdisparity of opinion seemed to be a thread that ran through thisentire fest, as we often discussed each set and argued about what wedug or didn't enjoy. Glenn had a 7-piece electro-acoustic ensemblewith the instrumentation of (Hall on) tenor sax & bass clarinet,trumpet or EWI (electronic wind instrument), a female vocalist,turntables, guitar, bass and drums, plus added electronics &lified objects. The first piece turned out to be a version ofStockhausen's "Japan" and was filled with Erstwhile-like space andsuspense. The vocalist (Tena Palmer) used her voice in a variety ofweird ways and I dug what she added to the blend. The second piecewas called, "The Last Time I Saw Dutch (Schultz)", the infamousJewish gangster from Newark, NJ. Both Glenn and Tena read passagesfrom Dutch Schultz' s final words as he lay dying after being shot.It was truly nightmarish and most affective, with layers of voices,electronic sounds and some twisted music floating ominously aroundthe room. "Terminal Beach" was the final piece and dedicated to allof the places where man has tested nuclear weapons. Again, thestrange sounds and ghost-like voices did a great job of reminding usthat the residue of this nuclear testing will not leave these areasfor thousands of years to come.


Bruce Lee GallanterDowntown Music Gallery

One of the main reasons I became a musician, was the influence, example and teaching of this man. Rom was musical father to hundreds of us and a genius teacher and leader and lover of music. He taught us to simply expect the highest standards... and to have fun and teach ourselves.
I spoke with him from the airport en route to Europe... It was one of those calls you sometimes put off "I can reach him when I get back", etc...

His voice was tiny but he was the same curious joker, saying he thought of all of us musicians as flowers in his garden..,and he threw an awful lot of bullshit at us to make us grow"... thanks Ron!
My thoughts and wishes of grace and love go to all his kids, with whom I have grown up: Doug, Donna, Kenny, Karen and Jane.

MacKAY, Ronald Raymond - September 26, 1928, to April 14, 2008, of Cole Harbour, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his beloved children. He was predeceased by his wife, Francis as well as siblings, Macey MacKay, Isabel MacKay and Charles MacKay. Born in Dunneville, Ont., Ron was a son of the late Isabella (Dodd) and Charles MacKay. He is survived by his brother, Don (Yvonne) MacKay, and sister, Kathleen Henry. Ron enjoyed the rigors of a large family and will be sadly missed by his children, Doug and Jane (Bolivar) MacKay, Ken and Catherine (Dilkie) MacKay, Donna MacKay and Brad Colpitts, Karen (MacKay) and Lloyd Homes, Jane (MacKay) and Kevin Cook; grandchildren, Margie MacMillan, Michael MacKay, Libby MacKay, Nelson Holmes, Jessie Holmes, Noah Cook, Sophie Cook; stepgrandchildren, Carrie Colpitts and Colin Colpitts; great-grandchildren, Kai MacMillan and Jackson Colpitts. He also leaves behind his beloved little dog, Pepi II. Along with family, Ron enjoyed many close lifelong friendships. Ron received his formal music education at the Canadian Armed Forces School of Music, St. Francis Xavier University, and Dalhousie University. Beginning music instruction at age 10, Ron joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1946, serving for 20 years in the Armed Forces Band as a horn player, bandmaster, and instructor. His professional career as an instrumentalist (French horn) encompassed a variety of additional organizations, including the Halifax Opera Company, Halifax Symphonette, CBC Orchestra (Halifax), Halifax Symphony Orchestra and Victoria Symphony Orchestra. He retired from the Armed Forces Band in 1966 and began a career in music education as an instrumental music teacher in Truro. As director of the Cobequid Educational Centre Symphonic Band and its feeder programs from grades 4 through 12, he developed one of the more prominent school bands in the Atlantic Provinces. During his tenure as Band Director in Truro, hundreds of students went on to pursue careers in music. Since his retirement from teaching in Truro in 1991, MacKay had been very active as a clinician, adjudicator, conductor and composer throughout Canada and the Atlantic Provinces. He has adjudicated concert bands at the national and provincial levels in Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan. He taught and lectured at Nova Scotia Teachers College, St. Francis Xavier and Dalhousie Universities. He had held positions as conductor of the Saint Mary's University Concert Band, St. Francis Xavier University Wind Ensemble, and most recently conductor of the Halifax Concert Band and the Scotia Brass Ensemble. He spent much of his time arranging and composing music for young bands, with dozens of published works for band - including many commissioned works. He received a number of honours and awards for his contributions to music, including life membership in the Canadian Band Association, Nova Scotia Music Educators Association, Nova Scotia Band Association, Music Industry Association of Nova Scotia, and was the 1997 recipient of the Canadian Band Association's National Band Award. He was an International Honorary Member of the Bandmasters Fraternity Phi Beta Mu. He was one of the founders of the Nova Scotia Youth Wind Ensemble, Nova Scotia Junior Wind Ensemble, and the Canadian Band Association's National Youth Band of Canada. He was past president of both the Nova Scotia Band Association and the Canadian Band Association. Ron never stopped working, and continued as a consultant for Buckley's Music in Halifax. The loss of Ron MacKay, the father, musician, composer, band director, teacher and friend, will be felt by many; but they are also enriched by all that he shared and taught (and, hopefully somewhere he is watching the Toronto Maple Leafs win a Stanley Cup!). A gathering of family and friends to celebrate Ron's life will be held in Cole Harbour Funeral Home, 1234 Cole Harbour Rd., on Friday, April 18. Visitation from 1-3 p.m. Memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. with a reception to follow.

I had another busy time in NS upon returning ....straight from the airport to a Halifax college (NSCC)where I gave two songwriting clinics. They went well as did two - very different- concerts the following day. The first was with 4 old friends; dearest of dears, Holly Arsenault on piano the other 3, from my high school, CEC in Truro… all great players & a really fun time: my host at the school, Jeff Goodspeed on tenor, sop. and flute, Jamie Gatti ( first time we'd played together since 1980!) bass, and Dave Burton, drums.
The concert that evening was in the beautiful ( sounding and feeling) St. Mary's Basilica with Sanctuary trio (pipe organ, bass clarinet and cello). It felt just wonderful and the audience was aonderful! A friend came to see me with whom I had acted & toured in a couple of theatre productions, back in ’84. He is a world-traveling singer songwriter – we exchanged cds. It was great to see him, and remember the fun days in Peace River playing Gertie Mc Bride. The next day was in Antigonish, where I taught a vocal workshop at St Francis Xavier U. Thanks to Ryan Billington for his kind help in setting up the clinic.

sitting in a fine pub in Portobello Road in London.
Had a great time yesterday, at the Tate - catching up on homework in the cafe and loving the surrealist & other exhibits.... London feels wonderful. Love the inherent politeness in the busy streets.... caught evensong at St. Paul's... had an artistic epiphany as the evening sun swapped the faces of the folks in the quire ( with all the dark wood and parish designations over their heads for each seat) ...you had to be there - but it gave me good ideas for songs and made me wish I was a painter or cinematographer... alas, only a songwriter...
the gospel gig in Rvk was fantastic, BTW.... following KK's gorgeous " Englar Himins Gretu I Dag"...was a sweet act to follow - which I did, with, 2 Mahalis tunes: His Eye is on the Sparrow and Walk Over God's Heaven...a fun time for an athiest...!
Saw 2 good comedians in Picadilly a few days ago, caught the last bit of Martin Simpson's concert at Q.E. Hall on Tues... and hung with old buddy, Chris Wood who opened the show.
Watching the big race between Oxford and Cambridge on the tube here, in the pub... time to go...
more later.
cheerie-o!
Tena

chilling on easter sun.. have a gig at Gaukur a Stong this eve at midnight... - It´s illegal to sell liquor on easter sun... - playing a pop set with hilmar, matti & joi... the rehearsal yesterday felt like marzipan....complimented by Matti´s most excellent espresso in the break...aaahh..
the bluesfest was a huge hit; all nights sold-out and a very lively good friday gospel concert! Loved the GRAS concert on thurs.... great to play with Jon who helped set it up, Maggi- very ill with a cold, but played sweetly as always, with his nose dripping visibly, poor chap!, KK- whose kick-ass band played MY favourite set of the night - and the divine Gummi P. who was the #1 blues soloist of night!
gotta run
more soon,
happy easter - gleidilega Paska!

I am a little slow in sharing the news of this trip - apologies... but I've been having a great time and the music has been as much fun as meeting old and new friends!
The gig at Stayner's Wharf was a real treat! Tom Easley, Joel Leblanc and Mark Adam are just divine musicians - wee all seem to share similar musical perspectives and the communication and spirit on stage was blissfully audible. Tom & Mark said it was their best gig at Stayner's, for the music and also because of the very attentive and enthusiastic crowd! Thansk kindly, to all the friends who came out to listen. Some, from as far as Antigonish, Barrington Passage...and other distant lands....
Adding Christoph Both to this 4tet onthe following night, gave the concert at Acadia's KC Irving Environmental Science Centre a lovely tonal richness. My favourite moment was an arco duet by Tom & Chris. We were sad not to have Jeff Reilly join us on bass clarinet... but he was laid-up with pneumonia.
I look forward to singing with him and Sanctuary on April 3rd...
Reyjkavik...aaah, my old stompin' ground.~! I am loving being back and sorry to report that I jsurt realized i have a rehearsal with Hilmar & Matti & Joi.. in a few mins...so I'll sign-off for now and get you the Rvk news in a day or so.
love to all!
Tena

Stephen Pedersen Arts Reporter
It's a good deal for Nova Scotia-born
jazz artist and Chelsea Bridge
alumnae Tena Palmer, and it's a good
deal for fans in her native province.
She's flying to London for a holiday at
the end of the week, and since she's
flying out of Boston via Reykjavik on
Icelandair, she gets a week-long stopover
in Iceland.
"That's the way I visit Iceland,"
Palmer said over the phone from her
home in Toronto on Monday. Palmer
worked and taught for six years
(1996-2002) in Iceland where, like the
island's spectacular volcanoes, a
volatile and varied contemporary
music scene is always bubbling.
"I'll be singing at the Reykjavik Blues
Festival next week," Palmer said,
"then a gospel concert in church on
Good Friday, and that night I'll be
working with an experimental pop
band. On (Easter) Monday, before I
leave for London I'll do an Irish pub
gig." Like most Nova Scotia career
musicians, Palmer learned a long time
ago that the key to survival is to
diversify. Together with teaching,
songwriting, performing and
recording in a variety of genres, she is
not only surviving as a musician, but
prevailing.
Thursday night in Halifax, beginning
at 8:30, she plays at Stayner's for
JazzEast (cover is $5) with local roots
blues guitarist Joel LeBlanc, bassist
Tom Easley, and Acadia University
percussionist Mark Adam. On Friday
night she performs in Wolfville at
Acadia University with the same band
and special guests Jeff Reilly (bass
clarinet) and cellist Christoph Both.
Then it's off to Iceland and London,
and when she returns, Palmer will
give a concert and two afternoon
workshops. Palmer then returns to
Toronto where she performs and
teaches privately. "I teach at Carleton
University in Ottawa twice a month,"
she said. "I really enjoy it because I
have a good number of students there,
and I really like to be in transit.
"I actually get a lot of writing done on
the train. I seem to focus best when
I'm travelling. It's a 10-hour trip both
ways so that's 20 hours of good
writing time a month."
( )
Figure:
Toronto-based, Nova Scotia-born singer Tena Palmer says she gets lots of writing done while travelling on the train to
Ottawa twice a month.
© 2008 The Chronicle-Herald -ArtsLife, Wednesday, March 12, 2008, p. E6

feels good to be back in the saddle; ready to take-off again...
preparing repertoire for many gigs, each one, a new band doing different tunes:
Of course, while writing song lists is when I get ideas for those almost-cooked tunes waiting for the final touches...
so - guitar in hands.... this A.M. is for picking and singing..
before this afternoon's fiinal improv acting class at Impatient Theatre - what fun!

I am thrilled to be heading back to the auld sod of NS
to play new mateterial with a brand new group.. I am hearing all these gorgeous harmonies with cello, bass clarinet and slide git... with Mark's percussion... & the warm groove Tom sets up...
can't wait!
n.b.
Not yet on the tour calendar: a reunion gig @ Gaukur á Stöng,( rvk's oldest bar and one of the largest music venues) with: eX pOp, the experimental pop band created by: Hilmar Jensson, Matthias Hemstock, Joi Asmundsson and meself... what fun we have!
also...there'll be a celtic session with ALBA at The Celtic Cross date, t.b.a.
More soon, happy SUNday!

a website again...
simple, yes....
more soon.
xo
ps
happy B'day Rossini... leap year, 1792 - Love your work!