REMEMBERING GENIUS
Let's start off with something fun today! Have a listen!
That's Wilbur (Willie) Hall! And in case you're wondering, yes, that's really him playing the fiddle. It's a spectacular series of tricks he goes through, and all of them land (well, mostly.). Someone sent this to me last week, and while I'd seen it before, it had been years. Plus, in today's hyper-saturated news world, it was a pleasant reminder of what a talent he was.
Something I didn't know until I looked him up online to see what other information I could get my hands on was that he was also a spectacular trombone player. That's not a common combo!! I couldn't find a great video in support of this, but I did find something that sounds almost too good to be true. The video itself doesn't line up with the audio, but if you stay with it until at 2:43, you'll be treated to the quickest trombone playing I've heard since Alain Trudel played the Flight of the Bumblebee for a crowd I was in years back (and Alain doesn't double on the fiddle.). Have a listen:
There are a couple of other people that come to mind as "double-dippers". Ray Nance was a trumpet player, violinist and singer with Duke Ellington and his band. I don't know if he would have been part of the group that made their way to Stratford years ago, but it's possible! (Anyone out there know?). Here he is playing with a quartet of great trumpeters with Duke behind him conducting.
Closer to home I can think of Drew Jurecka, who's been with us at Stratford Summer Music on a number of occasions playing either violin, bandoneon, mandolin, or singing. Here's Drew from a recent performance with fellow Stratford Summer Music alumni Adrean Farrugia and Clark Johnston:
These sorts of people give me good feelings — just like the two folks featured in our donor spotlight below, Stratfordians Leslie and John Wright. Great people wanting to see great things happen — thank you, John and Leslie, for your years of support and belief in what we do at Stratford Summer Music.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Mark and the Stratford Summer Music Team
Supporter Highlight
John and Leslie Wright
Fortement Level Sponsor
These two do a lot in the community!!
Leslie serves on the Council and Board of Veriditas, a not-for-profit organization that supports labyrinth facilitators throughout the world, while John is an active Rotarian. They are both members of Avondale United and have a Fund through the Stratford Perth Community Foundation that is designed to assist seniors. They have been enthusiastic supporters of Stratford Summer Music since 2007, having been introduced to it by founder John Miller. They are especially interested in the Jazz Academy and love seeing young aspiring musicians develop their skills throughout the week, and hearing them perform on the Barge on the weekend.
Both John and Leslie are labyrinth facilitators and are currently in the process of building an 11-circuit, Chartres style labyrinth in a public space not far from the Festival Theatre. This promises to be an exciting addition to life in Stratford!
Artistic Director Mark Fewer had the opportunity to collaborate with them last year on a perfect summer morning at their own labyrinth, where they welcomed those interested in making the walk while listening to Mark perform solo violin. It was a magical day.
Mark Fewer & Friends Live