I have just about had it with Canadian Jazz Festivals. (I am in the midst of booking a summer tour for Jazzstory) Without mentioning names, there are a couple that are really good,
well organised, willing to take chances, pay a decent wage to Canadian acts etc. and then there are all the rest. I am
really starting to wonder why these festivals that have no money still have nine day programs. They have no idea who they want to book but they really want to know "who else is booking you...?" Advice to festivals: learn to say NO...get passionate about a few groups and bring them back off season...a couple summers in a row etc....It WILL catch on if the music is good! Stay tuned.

Wow, this new Joni Mitchell double disc is beautiful. Vince Mendoza arrangements... I feel some sort of relief today. After
reading an interview on the jazzguitar.blogspot.com with Dave Fiuzinski (sp?). He is one busy composer, guitarist kinda
freak. Nice to realise...I cannot be like him...especially these days with young kids. I am happy to keep working on my playing, composing etc. and enjoy life. I love to work hard and work a lot but man....maybe it is good for me to be a Torontonian. I mean, I am just finished a new Cd working on two more, composing for other projects (two commissions) and I feel like an underachiever!!

It is hard to begin talking about something so enormous and exciting as John Oswald's Plunderphonics 69/96 CD.
If you are not familiar with his work, my journal is not the place to start (sorry). I am taking in the music and the
extensive interviews in the liner notes (46 pages) in the way I occasionally read parts of Ulysses; I know I like it,
I know I am gaining something (inspiration, ideas etc.) but it is hard to put my finger on it....what it is, why I like it so.
His hypermix of Led Zeppelin with a preacher, James Brown cut-up or Metallica w/ Kronos Quartet are my early faves.