Deb’s Blog

Here comes another Christmas!  The world didn’t end, as was predicted by the Mayan Calendar, and things are still chugging along in a relatively normal way.

Like most of you, this year I’ve experienced ups and downs;  disappointments and victories; sadness and happiness; loss and gain – a virtual roller coaster, as life often is.  By this time in my long life, not a lot surprises me, although great moments of joy are still sprinkled throughout my existence.  And more and more, I realize that change is inevitable.

The highlights of my year have been mostly musical – my birthday celebration in May with a great band comprised of old friends – Bill King, Russ Bosswell and Daniel Barnes at the Dominion on Queen was attended by a lot of friends and acquaintances.  I felt very honoured and blessed that so many showed up to offer their good wishes and enjoy our songs of the 60’s.

Enjoyed my annual performance with the Niagara Rhythm Section in Niagara on the Lake in May – it was a stellar evening, with a fantastic band backing me up. It was great to have Mary Ellen Moore with me that day – another lovely friend I’m so glad to have.  In the R&B field I’ve also showed my support for dear friends Robbie Rox and Cathy Young at the Black Swan, and at Virgil Scott’s celebrated “Musician’s New Years Eve” at the Hollywood on Queensway.

I fulfilled one of my “bucket list dreams” by performing a full evening of songs as a solo performer-guitarist at the Plein Air Artists’ Garden in July.   I love a challenge, and I worked hard to meet this one.  I am always far more comfortable with a band or fellow singers backing me up, providing me with the “wind beneath my wings”.  When you have to accompany yourself on an instrument, usually some of the aspects that go into the performance – confidence, technique, concentration, vocal power, instrumental accuracy are compromised when you put the two together.  I feel I did a decent job, and the people who were in the audience enjoyed it enough to stay in their seats while it rained on them.  Hopefully I’ll get to do it again in 2013 – it’s always fun to have something to work towards.  Maybe it’ll be easier the second time.  🙂

I had a wonderful jazz gig at the Homesmith Bar, backed by Mark Kieswetter, Jordan O’Connor and John MacMurchy.  Those gigs are few and far between.  It was 2 years ago when I last performed at the Homesmith – there are so many amazing singers and musicians in our talented Toronto music community – you’ve got to wait your turn.

On the home front – I got my main bathroom renovated, and it’s lookin’ mighty fine. Clean lines,  white and black.  No more tub!

I also traded in my beloved Suzuki Aereo for a more up to date Volkswagon Golf.  Bells and whistles – -I’m enjoying the remote locks, and the heated seats!

I have so many blessings – great friends; a wonderful son and daughter-in-law, and an adorable grandson Alex.  So far the health is good – with a few scares here and there.  That’s bound to happen when you get to be my age.  I also am blessed with a voice that still sings – and I’m thankful to be still adding it, along with my spirit to the Mighty Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, as I have been doing for nearly 40 years.

My house in Riverdale is still my haven – though with property taxes rising hugely, I hope I can remain here for a while longer.

Yes, there has also been sadness and loss, but I won’t dwell on that stuff in a Christmas letter.

I still awaken every morning with a song in my heart, and a prayer of thanks to the good Lord for such a wonderful life so chock full of blessings – my country Canada and my freedom as a woman;  my good friends and family;  the gift of music, and the good living it provided to me and my children;  my beautiful home and the health that allows me to still enjoy all of this.

I am looking forward to spending Christmas day with my son Gord, DIL Sara and grandson Alex.  And I look forward to 2013 – to playing my uke (on a cruise in February) and guitar, and doing more arrangements for the Ault Sisters, and raising my voice in song with the Mendelssohn Choir, and other bands.

I wish you all the very best of the season. And if you should feel a little sad – pick up a ukulele.  Instant serotonin!

“Wow! That must be so exciting!” people exclaimed when I told them I was going to be backing up Barbra Streisand for her Toronto appearance at the Air Canada Centre.  I knew there wouldn’t be a lot of excitement – it was, after all, a job. And a “free” one at that!   I was one of 60 “peons” in the Mendelssohn Singers (a faction of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir), who would be backing up Babs.

We rehearsed the music to be sung in the finale, the night before the October 23nd concert.  During that rehearsal we were asked to sign a waiver that we would not speak to La Babs, or take any photos.  I could understand that to a point.  Barbra is known for being a very private person, and when she’s doing a number of shows, she deserves to have that privacy respected – at least for her voice’s sake.    We were given our schedule, and were told that we would be fed a dinner after the sound check, AND we would receive free tickets to watch the first half of the show. (Last year, when the Mendelssohn Singers were invited to back up Andrea Boccelli, we were served a sumptuous banquet backstage – complete with multi courses, and desserts).   To me,  free tix, free food, and a chance to play a miniscule part in this huge show, backing up one of the world’s most celebrated singers, was reward in itself.

On the day of the concert, it was rainy, and the 60 singers gathered outside the stage door at the ACC for our 3:30 call, while people from the stage crew came out, and regaled us with their pungent emissions from their cigarettes.  Many of us were wet, and coughing before we even began.  Finally we were herded into the bowels of the building, down some stairs, through a few doors, down a hall, up more stairs to a big square windowless “bunker” which would be our holding spot for the next half a day.  We found chairs, dumped our luggage, and waited for instructions, while our conductor made a chart of who should stand where, once we got onstage.  In about half an hour, we were herded back down the stairs to line up backstage in our assigned orders.  We were led to our spots – the area of the mammoth stage we were to be using was a horseshoe shaped “U” around the sides and back of the stage.  There were microphones placed every ten feet, around which 4 or 5 singers gathered in groups.   I was in one of the groups closest to the audience, and as we stood there awaiting our next instructions, I realized there were no chairs ANYWHERE for us to take while we were idle.   I figured I (with my bad back) could take the standing for about 15 minutes max.  After rehearsing our rather classy, choreographed entrance a couple of times,  Barbra entered the stage, and we rehearsed with the orchestra, the two songs we’d be singing with her – “Make Your Garden Grow” by Bernstein, and “There’s a Place For Us”.  Barbra was about half a block away from me, as I stood onstage.  That’s about as close as I ever got!  The rehearsal and soundcheck took 1 hour and 15 minutes, and my back was not happy (at one point, I sat on the floor in lotus position, which helped a bit.)

Back to our bunker, to behold stacks of pizza boxes on the tables,  a couple of bowls of salad, some dressing, and some bananas, apples and oranges.  THAT was our free food, and it was most disappointing.  Pizza was cold, not quite enough to go around.  By the time we finished our repast it was 6 o’clock – 2 more hours until the show started, and we were not allowed to leave the room, or the ACC.  Some people read, some yakked, some did puzzles, some napped.  It was a long 2 hours.

Finally it was time to take our tix, and find our seats for the first half of the show, up in the 300’s – the nosebleed section.  Until you turn around and face the stage, you have no idea how high you are until you get to your seat.  My friend, who I sing beside, began to freak out because of the height – it felt like it was straight down from where we were sitting.  She ended up having to leave because of her vertigo – and was led down backwards by one of our kind tenors – and she missed the show.  My seat was the most uncomfortable seat I’ve ever sat on.  With legs bent to a perfect right angle, knees directly over ankles – the toes of my shoes were jammed against the seat in front of me, and the only way to get comfortable was to splay the knees in a most “unladylike fashion”  into my neighbour’s territory – so we were playing kneezies throughout the first half of the concert.

All that discomfort disappeared, however, once Barbra entered the stage to a roaring full, adoring house!  She had us in the palm of her hands the minute she began her songs.  We were directly above stage right, so the pulldown screens, which were magnifying her face to the audience, were viewed by us from behind.  Any printing on the screen was backwards.  But we could clearly see her teleprompter, which rolled out the words for her intros and between songs “schtick”.  Her voice was a tiny bit husky on the top notes – I believe she was dealing with the effects of a cold.  But she carried it all through in a most beautiful manner. I felt so privileged to hear her stories about Marvin Hamlish and their great friendship, and to hear her sing some of my favourite tunes like “The Way We Were” and others, that I used to sing when I was singing with a Society Band.

Leaving the nosebleed section at the end of the first half, was an exercise in frustration, as a bunch of us from the choir, tried to find our way back to our bunker. We went through a few “Spinal Tap” moments as we tried to find our direction – weaving amongst the crowd of patrons, sometimes running into the same people, the same elevators – the wrong ones.  Finally, we did find our way to our room, and en masse, changed into our gowns and tuxes – all together in the same room.  Who cares if the guys see you in your underwear?  Gotta do whatcha gotta do!

After more sitting around in the bunker, we were finally led to line up at the entrance to the stage.  We could hear Babs singing one of my favourite songs (which I happen to sing myself) “Here’s to Life”, before we made our grand entry!  “Here’s to Life” always makes me verklempt – so I walked to my place in front of our mic, with a few tears trying to dry in my eyes.  After some talk, some thankyous – and a special moment where she thanked “The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir” for backing her (and made a gesture that indicated she admired our dresses with the white stripe across the top) – the orchestra fired up on “Make Your Garden Grow” and we sang our part.  We couldn’t really hear ourselves, and don’t know how we sounded (except listening back on Youtube the next day – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKlwSAQbt64&playnext=1&list=PL-idGcVAYBqTnUn_heAjP0588XN35KOWG&feature=results_video ).  We sang the finale – then made our exit – 5.5 minutes was the length of our moment of fame.

Back to the bunker to change quickly, and try to avoid the mobs racing for the subway.

I’m glad I was part of it – there were some lovely moments.  But “exciting”?  Nah.  It was really just another gig (with no pay involved).  🙂

 

 

NEW SONGS:  Wrote Happy New Year for my CUJAM ukies, and got them singing it with me the first Wednesday back after the Christmas break.   Co-wrote a song with Ilana Waldston – The Whatchamahoozit Blues.  Ilana is a lot of fun, with some zany lyrical ideas.  I crafted the music and arrangement and a lot of the lyrics.  Lost in Rosedale was written after my one-woman show in July, when I got rained upon very badly on the way home.  Cut through Rosedale to get back home, and got very VERY lost as I drove around for nearly 30 minutes until I found someone who could let me know how to escape the vortex.  Check it out:  Lost in Rosedale (cut#7)  .  If you scroll further down, you’ll find The Whatchamahoozit Blues with me singing it.

SOLO PERFORMANCES:  Winterfolk – I performed in a Song Circle with fellow songwriters from Songwriters Unite during Winterfolk – this year for the first time at the Delta-Chelsea Inn.

Guested with the Uptown Swing Band at the Gallery Cafe in Etobicoke – fun getting back to my “big band chick singer” roots.

 

Songs of the 60’s at Dominion on Queen:  Performed songs by Bachrach/David; Ray Charles  and many more – with the able backing of the great Bill King on keys, Russ Bosswell on bass and Daniel Barnes on drums.  Betty Richardson, Colina Phillips and Mary Ellen Moore got up to do BG’s in Aretha’s “Respect” and brought the house down!!  What a wonderful gig this was – so many people came out to hear some good music, and wish me a happy birthday in May.

 

 

Niagara Rhythm Section, May 19th:  Guested with this fabulous band at The Old Winery, and we rocked our tushies off!  One of the best nights yet with this ensemble!

Songs That Got Me Here:  I performed solo with my guitar and uke at the beautiful Artists’

Garden run by Susan Brown.  I was part of the Plein Air series, and performed everything from Elvis to my own songs.  Singing and playing by yourself without a band is very different from what I’m used to – but something to continue honing!   It was a rainy night, but my audience sat under brollies, or onstage with me until the bitter end.  As we packed up – God decided to let’er rip, and the rain came down in buckets thereafter.  And THAT is when I got lost in Rosedale on the way home.

 

 

RECORDINGS:  Sang backup vocals on Terry Kelly’s new recording project, produced by Paul Mills at The Millstream.

 

JAMGRIA – A new open-mic Jam has opened in the east end of Toronto, helmed by Pat Murray, and featuring a stellar trio of musicians every week, ready to back up any singer or instrumentalist who wants to sit in.  Here’s a photo Bill Taylor  took of me on the first night of this great jam.

2011

JAZZ AT TEN FEET TALL: Sang a couple of Jazz gigs with Bruce Harvey and Jack McFadden at this charming east-end Toronto bistro, run by Carin Redmon and Andy.  TFT had a jazz policy, that supported jazz music and musicians for nearly 10 years.  Just before my third gig there, it closed down, much to the sorrow of Toronto’s jazz community.

SONGS OF THE 60’S:  Performed my first “Songs of the 60’s” show at the Dominion on Queen with Bruce Harvey and Russ Bosswell in November ’11. The place was packed! It seems a lot of people want to hear well written songs from that era – written by great writers like Bachrach and David, and sung by singers like Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Petula Clark  and many more.

 

 

EDO SUSHI:  Sang my jazz songs at this lovely restaurant on Eglinton W. with Tony Quarrington and Jack McFadden.  It was a lovely, quiet gig, and the food they provided for us was terrific!

 

 

LIVE BACKUP VOCALS:  Sang BG’s for Rob Young at Hugh’s Room, and for BettyRichardson as well.    Also sang backups at the Westben Festival, for Rodney Brown.

GUEST APPEARANCES:  Debbie was honoured to be invited to sing at a special concert honouring Canadian

Icon, Robbie Rox.  This concert, hosted by Bob Segarini, took place at the Black Swan in Toronto. Here’s a Youtube video of me singing When A Man Loves A Woman   with the great band including Michael Fonfara on keys, and Terry Blersh on Guitar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldmphlR-uPc

RECORDINGS:  Sang backups for the new Rob Young CD, produced by Paul Mills at the Millstream.  Sang and arranged backup vocals for Sam Broverman’s sensational CD project containing all Johnny Mercer tunes, and produced by Ken Whitely.  Lots of horns and swinging big band material on this project, and Sam sings it all so sweetly!

ARRANGEMENTS:  More vocal and instrumental arranging for The Ault Sisters.  Some for Joe Sealy.  One for the Satin Dolls.

HAMPTON AVENUE-4:  Suba Sankaran, Dylan Bell, Tom Lillington and I – better known as the Hampton 4 – were invited by the Green Door Cabaret Theatre, to put on a show of our Christmas material in December.  It was fun to get back to our slick harmonies and Christmas songs – but on the day of the gig, Suba had laryngitis and pneumonia, and was flying at half-mast.  We did our best for the appreciative audience that showed up, and hope they understood that sickness was marring our performance just a tad.  Suba’s beautiful smile held it all together for everyone, and we got through it!  The Hampton 4 also performed Christmas songs at the Rotary Club luncheon at the Royal York Hotel, and did our wandering Carolling gigs at First Canadian Place. Check out our version of my song Christmas (W)rapping:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNpdy5RSnvw

THE MENDELSSOHN CHOIR:  After a good audition in June, I was accepted back into the choir – but as a second Soprano.  This did not make me happy, as I can still hit the high C’s with the best of ’em – without sounds of strain, or wobble.  After a second audition to see if I could still remain a first soprano – Noel Edison declared he feels my sound is better for the seconds.  That’s the place I always feel the old cows are put to pasture.  However, sitting beside Jennifer Taverner and Cher Farrell– both Elora Festival professional singers – made it far more palatable.  I guess I’m lucky to still be in the choir.

This year we sang Bach’s St. John Passion at Koerner Hall; Mozart’s Mass in C;  Mozart’s Requiem at the Elora Festival; Walton’s Henry V with TSO; Brahm’s German Requiem at Koerner Hall, and of course the Messiah.  We also did our Festival of Carols, and our Songs for a Sacred Space – performed in the St. Paul’s Basillica on Power St. on Good Friday.   I still love the the lofty experience of singing all these magnificent works with this magnificent choir, and the gestalt that happens when 160 voices are singing together.  Can’t be BEAT!

– 2010

NEW YEARS EVE: Performed my first New Years Eve gig in many years in Port Elgin Ontario, on the shores of Lake Huron.  Jack McFadden led the band, which also included Bob McLaren on drums, John MacMurchy on Sax and Ted Gibbons on Guitar.  We had a wonderful time entertaining the New Years revellers for their dining and dancing pleasure.

CHOIRGIRLZ performed at Winterfolk on the Danforth in February.  Their final concert was at Plein Air in July – where they performed to a sold out crowd of fans and friends who love their harmonies and quirky songs!

 

JAZZ GIGS:  I performed with Bruce Harvey and Jack McFadden at the Homesmith Bar at the Old Mill on March 19th.  Here’s Our Love Is Here to Stay from that evening.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpaXgHEPYYs

 

 

THE GALPALZ:  Briar Boake approached me about forming a duo – and performing an upbeat repertoire of oldies in Retirement residences. Since Briar is a fine uke player, and I’m ok on guitar – we worked it out.  We got a few gigs and went over very well with our audiences.  It was fun – with costume changes, and new songs.  Briar was great to work with.  Unfortunately with all the schlepping of gear and PA, with very small financial return, we didn’t continue after about a year.

 

THE MENDELSSOHN CHOIR:  Still in the Soprano 1 section, though our director seems to doubt that someone of my age should be able to hit the high C’s clearly and strongly.  We went to Vancouver in January for the Pre-Olympic festivities.  We performed under the baton of Bramwell Tovey while performing Mahler’s 8th – Symphony of a Thousand.  Upon our return to Toronto, we performed The Verdi Requiem two weeks later with the TSO.   We did “Last Night of the Proms” with Bramwell Tovey – this year, with a “Kate and Wills” theme – here I am with my homemade “fascinator”.

In November – another favourite of mine – Janacek Glagolithic Mass, and of course, the Messiah.  TMC is now performing at the spiffy new Koerner Hall – a gorgeous acoustic space for us!

BACKUP VOCALS:Sang backup vocals for the wonderful Betty Richardson at Hugh’s Room in November.

  R&B:  Did my yearly stint with the Niagara Rhythm Section in May, and twice guested with Robbie Lane and the Disciples as guest singer.  Please check out my version of  Proud Mary, as sung with Robbie Lane and the gang.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT-XcAfbugI

FIRST ONE-WOMAN SHOW: Performed my first one-woman show – entitled “Coming of Age in Etobicoke”.  It was a house concert, and very well attended.  Everyone seemed to really enjoy it, and eagerly asked me to write a sequel to the ongoing story.

CUJAM:  Still playing that uke nearly every Wednesday night at the Dominion on Queen. Here I am singing Dream a Little Dream of me, mistakes and all!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rd2pFOlcjWQ

 

THE AULT SISTERS: Did a few vocal arrangements for this talented trio of young sisters – very enjoyable project.

2009:

Switched to Logic 8 – much better and less glitchy than Logic 4.5.  Makes chart writing and song recording much easier!

ST. PAUL’S CHOIR:  Resigned my position as Alto lead in the choir at St. Paul’s Bloor Street.      Politics within the church hierarchy, tainted my spiritual journey, when our beloved organist/director (and former R&B and recording studio associate) Eric Robertson was fired.

CHOIRGIRLZ   had a banner year.  Appeared at Winterfolk, The Wellington County Library

in Harriston,  Toronto Taste, Beaverton’s 125th Centenary celebration, Plein Air and Summerfolk. 

MENDELSSOHN CHOIR:   Performed  Berlioz Damnation of Faust in February;  Mendelssohn Elijah, the Proms;  Berlioz Requiem and Carmina Banana at the Elora Festival; Israel in Egypt at the new Koerner Hall;  Britten’s War Requiem; and of course the Messiah.

SOLO PERFORMANCES AT: Winterfolk,  Statlers Cabaret, and at the Anchorage in NOTL with The Niagara Rhythm Section, and at Trane Studio with her jazz trio.

 

BIG VOICE TV, WITH ELAINE OVERHOLT:  Arranged a chart for The Fawcett Sisters, and helped to coach them for their appearance on the show, which featured Carol Fawcett coming into her own, under the guidance of Elaine.

STAR WARS  at the Air Canada Centre:  Sang in a choir assembled by Susan Suchard.  We were accompanied by an orchestra from Britain, and I met and conversed with  emcee Anthony Daniels – the original C3PO from the Star Wars movie.

ANDREA BOCCELLI  at the AIR CANADA CENTER:  Sang backups for Andrea  in a choir made up of members of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir.  It was lovely to reunite and chat with David Foster, who was accompanying Andrea.

RECORDING PROJECT:  During the slow days of summer, I compiled a children’s CD/DVD for my grandchildren Sadie and Benson. I recorded some familar and some original songs as Gramma-Lama-Ding-Dong, and added the songs, and photos of the children to a DVD entitled “Special Times”.  It was a favourite Christmas gift.

UKULELE:  I began attending CUJAM – (Corktown Uke Jam) and learning to play ukulele in July of this year.  David Newland, and Steve McNie run this very entertaining and educational evening every Wednesday at the Dominion on Queen in Toronto.  I LOVE my uke!

 

Make Lemonade, written and arranged by Debbie Fleming is being performed by choirs all around the world.  Check out some of these Youtube offerings:

Hampton Avenue

Sheldon-Williams End of Year Concert

Halcyon Chamber Choir

Siyacula Youth Choir

Ecco with SonoLux