If you are a regular reader here you know by now that this is the home of celebrating all things Canadian; Art, Hockey, LIFE!!

So, please don't take this the wrong way, ok?

Today I was sending in my suggestions to the short-list for the National Jazz Awards. It was tricky, and did make me realize I didn't get out to hear as much live jazz music this year as I have in past years. As a matter of fact most of my suggestions included either or both Lina Allemano and Quinsin Nachoff. Do you think it was wrong or maybe a little strange for putting my own name in there a few times too? I can't help it really. I like my music. (I remember Graeme Kirkland once telling me he only listened to his own music)

Anyways, I got to the Arranger of the year category and thought of my friend Quinsin and the beautiful string quartet arrangements that he did of his own music on his latest records and then I thought of Holly Cole.

No, Holly is no arranger but her new CD has beautiful horn writing, lots of bottom end (tuba, bass trombone etc.) and I wanted to find out who was responsible. I googled and was a bit disappointed to find out that both the producer and arranger were American. Damn!

I am not anti-American but I do get a bit tired of the way the Canadian press goes gaga over American jazz artists. Well, perhaps I just need to give up and come to terms with the fact that although I wouldn't want to call it home the Americans know how to "take it up a notch."

I hope Holly has great success with the CD and that my friends in her band continue touring with her as Holly is great and carries our flag with pride. (even if she is a Habs fan...Go Holly!...Booo Habs!)

tim posgate
p.s. National Jazz Awards please get rid of the Clarinet category, add a miscellaneous category (I thinke you used to have one) where perhaps you can celebrate a cellist, or turntablist, or tuba player or YES, YES...here it comes; a BANJO PLAYER!