JJJ Blog

Hi Everybody,

It was our annual Christmas jam session at Jefferson Heights. It turned out to be a great night that was enjoyed by all, especially the many JH residents who stayed around after their dinner to listen to us. It never ceases to amaze me how much people love Christmas songs and the JH residents were really appreciative of our jazz renditions of many Christmas classics including Winter Wonderland, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Let it Snow and a really jazzy version of We Three Kings of Orient Are. Luckily, Aaron came along last night and did a great job singing most of the Christmas classics for us. Musician-wise it was great to see our new jammer, Rich, back with us again. He and Steve swapped around on the piano through the night and kept us all together with their great skills on the JH baby grand. A special mention this week goes out to Gordon on his mini drum set. Gordon’s motto seems to be “if it does not move, hit it” and he gave us some amazing and humorous drum solos that were all loudly applauded by the JH residents and the rest of us. The rest of the line up was Bob on bass (who also took many great solos last night); Steve, doubling on trumpet (and he played a great version of I’m Old Fashioned for us); Ken, up to his usual tricks and Dixieland swing on his cornet; and yours truly on clarinet and vocals.

With so many JH residents enjoying our antics last night we played a lot of the sing-along favourites for them, including Bye Bye Blackbird, All of Me and Pennies from Heaven. We also played Girl from Ipanema, Rosetta, Someday My Prince Will Come and a few others, so it was a pretty good jazz mix in the JJJ tradition. We finished the evening with a beautiful jazz version of Silent Night.

Overall it was a great jam session and really appreciated by our hosts, Jefferson Heights. We are very lucky that they let us hold our jam sessions there and let us use their lovely piano. A big “Thank You” from all of us to Teri and the staff at Jefferson Heights!

As the fourth Thursday in December is on Christmas Eve, the next jam session will not be until January 14th, next year. Mark your new 2010 calenders now! A very Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of you. Thank you for your support of the JJJ in 2009 and I look forward to seeing loads of you in 2010.

Have Fun.

Larry