Dear Friends – I hope you’re having a good start to the summer.
Though you’re getting this in July –  I started to write, in the “Merry Month of May” here in NYC and it’s been very lovely — we have had rain AND sunshine, what more could one ask? That’s not the case for everyone. Now, it’s hot !
There’s really no way to not say what’s on my mind… except to try and do whatever we can any/every day for someone else (sometimes including even ourselves !)  — Our Democracy and Decency is worth — everything. Stand up when you can, sit back when you have to.

I marched here in NYC for the NO KINGS Rally on June 14, along with thousands of other New Yorkers… it was peaceful and powerful.

I am starting to enjoy a bit of time off starting in July —with a few ‘random’ fun shows in the mix …read on.

When I look back at all in the last year,  it’s hard to believe really…. So I’m ready for a little CHILL —

First, my Dear Mommy passed away about a year ago. I miss her every day,  I no longer have either parent living, my Dad passed away about 10 years ago and I miss him every day too… I have been blessed with a beautiful Family and Friends.
Also, lost Dear Friends:
George Kay
David Overmeyer
Roger Ingham
Father Bert Thelen
My Aunties Mary Lee and Carrol Bean
The Totoian Brothers
Leah Kunkel

As a good friend says … ’the losses do pile up, don’t they?’  I know we all can relate to that — Keep them in your heart and talk about them, keep their memories alive !

The music feels more powerful and meaningful all the time —
Here are some highlites:

Finished up another successful semester at HARTT .. so proud of all my students !
Enjoyed some time in MA – @ the Drake with Greene St Trio… our wonderful friend, great bass player George Kay was on it — he suddenly died about a month later — we miss him terribly…
I attended my neice’ wedding in the D.R. ! Wonderful time, and played a song for her ceremony…
Jazz Alley / Seattle – always fun!
Private events in D.C. – lovely audiences (thank you Steve and bandmates! )
Maureen’s Jazz Cellar,  Nyack NY – what a lovely venue this is. The singular pianist and human David Budway and his lovely wife Brianna run a good ship – we also did a very gratifying masterclass together the next day w attendees/ students.
Catalina’s in Hollywood— I have a long standing relationship there, way before it moved to it’s current location – the audience is always great and eclectic…

The sweet Long Beach/Olive Jazz House party was a grand success as were the Seattle House Parties w JazzVox-
Phillip & Nich –  thank you (respectively) to you both and all involved – wow!!!
Crooners, a wonderful Twin Cities supper club – this time, Deb Winer  (from American Song Book Series/ NYC) & I did a Rodger’s & Hammerstein/  Hart show w a fantastic TC trio —
Cedar Rapids, Iowa @ Kirkwood Community College – what a turn out for this awesome event— Thank you Dennis and all involved !
Green Mill / Chicago always a groove!
Dizzy’s was great, got to play with many (new to me) lovely players … thank you Deb !
I enjoyed teaching at Interplay Jazz Camp – beautiful place, beautiful people !
Very fun sitting in w Frank Vignola @ Birdland, along with Rodney Jones –

Coming up:
Downbeat ‘Woodshed’ article – August issue
PODSONG TBA *this will be interesting! Stay tuned….

July 8 & 9
NY Harbor Sunset Jazz Cruise!!  4:30 and 7PM sails nightly with Joe Cohn and Myles Sloniger

I am looking forward to Bay Area in August with great players; Miro, Karl and Dan –
August 2 @ the Oakland Sound Room (link)  LIVE RECORDING if goes as planned !
Aug 3 @ Lesher Center for Performing Arts in Walnut Creek ( link)
Aug 4 in Santa Cruz at Kauumbwa 7 & 8:30 (link)

And various upcoming festivals in September;
Sep 20 Westchester Collaborative Theater,
Sep 26  Scullers in Boston – w “A Kiss for Brazil”
Sep 27 Northampton Jazz Fest @ 1pm (free to the public) UU Church, NOHO w “A Kiss for Brazil”

Stay tuned, always more to come —
Thank you for reading, listening and showing up!
LOVE,
KARRIN