Category Archives: Music

Revolutionary Road: Western Mass

I’m invited for a weekend in the Berkshires. The lure of Tanglewood, museums, theater, tastings, and progressive politics is so compelling that I welcome the hellish drive. John Pizzarelli’s jazzy Radio Deluxe helps the hours and miles be-bop and fly. … Continue reading

Posted in Art and Culture, East Coast Travel, Farm-to-Table, Food and Wine, Music, New England Travel, Off-the-beaten-track, Travel | 1 Comment

Montreal Jazz Festival: Colossal Musicianship for 38 Years

mu·sic [ˈmyo͞ozik] Vocal or instrumental sounds combined to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion. June 28 to July 8, 2017 The 38th edition of the Montréal Jazz Fest will possess all the beauty of form, harmony, and expression … Continue reading

Posted in Art and Culture, Canada, East Coast Travel, Festivals, International, Jazz Festival, Montreal, Music, Quebec, Sustainable Travel, Travel | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Summer Staycation, Part One

“People are crazy and times are strange   I’m locked in tight, I’m out of range  I used to care, but things have changed” Summer usually finds me on the road visiting inns and bistros. This year I decide to … Continue reading

Posted in Art and Culture, East Coast Travel, Maine, Maine Travel, Music, New England Travel, Staycation, Travel | Leave a comment

My Funny Valentine II

My friend Bob Greene is cool. He is tall, suave, and an excellent cook. Bob is a tennis writer who travels the world to watch famous and not-so-famous athletes whack a fuzzy yellow ball across a net at 100 mph. … Continue reading

Posted in Food and Wine, Maine, Maine Travel, Music, New England Travel, Travel | Leave a comment

Summer Afternoon: New York City

I arrive at the Hotel Empire at 63rd and Broadway. “Beware the Eurotrash,” warns cabdriver Harry, squiggling up one eyebrow like Vincent Price. My companion, Theater Boy, is full of soulful angst. His mood is as dark as the cavernous … Continue reading

Posted in Art and Culture, Cruise, East Coast Travel, Food and Wine, Maine, Music, Musicals, New York City, Theater, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Mighty North Atlantic Blues Fest

Fresh from my blues-immersion at the Montreal Jazz Fest, I head to picturesque Rockland for the most righteous blues event on the East Coast, the North Atlantic Blues Festival. The annual two-day event takes place at the public landing overlooking … Continue reading

Posted in Blues Festival, East Coast Travel, Festivals, Lobster, Maine, Maine Travel, Music, New England Travel, Travel | Tagged | 1 Comment

Brunch, Booze & Blues: Montreal 2015

“Une brunch sans alcool n’est rien d’autre  qu’un triste dejeuner tardif.” Translation: A brunch without booze is just a sad, late breakfast. We’re in Montreal for the 36th annual Jazz Festival and deliriously happy. Fresh from Paris, my French is in … Continue reading

Posted in Art and Culture, Canada, Festivals, Food and Wine, Jazz Festival, Montreal, Music, Quebec, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Montreal Jazz: Biggest and Best

World-Class Rendezvous Lucky me: I’m heading for the 36th edition of the world’s largest jazz festival, the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal. Celebrating a passion for music for over three decades, North America’s French-speaking metropolis annually welcomes fans to … Continue reading

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Set Sail with Sting

Stormy Night We head to La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club for Karin Coonrod’s daring new Tempest. I’m enchanted by the smoky atmosphere and swinging starry-orb, whose tiny pinholes of light evoke night sky over a wild storm at sea. The white geometric on the dark floor suggests we’re in a … Continue reading

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Musical Mélange: Montreal

Lucky me. I’m just back from the 35th anniversary celebration at the Festival International de Jazz Montréal. As world-class talents Diana Krall, Pat Metheny, Tony Bennett and B.B. King agree,”It’s the best jazz festival in the world.” Oh, yes. Each … Continue reading

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