Tuesday, December 23, 2014

A Holiday Message from the Women of Jeans 'n Classics

Hello!
December 25 is mere moments away... we can't let the season go by without sending you a little something from all of the women of Jeans 'n Classics... Enjoy!

Happy Holidays! 

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Lis Soderberg:

Lis Soderberg

Lis sends everyone her warmest of holiday wishes, along with a link to her younger daughter Ellis Barkman's cover of the Christmas classic, "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch".
http://soundcloud.com/ellie-barkman/youre-a-mean-one-mr-grinch

(Ellis is 17 years old and will be graduating high school in the Spring. She claims music is a hobby for her, but she sounds like a little more than a hobbyist! We hear she has been accepted into University of Ottawa next year... congrats Ellis!)

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Andrea Koziol:

Andrea Koziol


"Sending light filled wishes to everyone out there!  The dark December days are luscious to me because they are filled with the people I love, and of course, a whole lotta good eating!  I'm looking forward to hunkering down with my family over the next few weeks, and also having the time to write some new music for a few of the projects I'm involved with outside of Jeans 'n Classics.  

One of those projects is my brand new collaboration Tarbelle.  www.tarbelle.com  Have a listen...

Happy Holidays!  Here's to a wicked 2015 for all!"

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Kathryn Rose:

Kathryn Rose

"Shalom! I've had another great year singing and doing admin and tour coordination for Jeans 'n Classics. 

I have three things to share with you this holiday season... 

#1. When it's the first night of Hanukkah and you are about to get the kids from after school daycare and you realize your warped aluminum sad and sorry excuse for a menorah simply needs to be retired, but those 8 days and nights aren't going to light themselves...

....A suspended bread board with tea lights will definitely do in a pinch! Now you know! Now I know!


The lazy susan even fit underneath it with applesauce and sour cream for the potato latkes!

#2. It's a KR Khristmas! Listen to my version of a few Xmas faves here: https://soundcloud.com/kr_kathrynrose/sets/its-a-kr-khristmas-1
...Maybe next year I'll record some Hanukkah hits.

#3. You can make butter (well, a butter substitute) out of coconut oil and cold pressed flaxseed oil. I made 12 jars of it this year as gifts. (Spoiler Alert to friends of mine who haven't received it yet.) Recipe below.














The "Perfect Fat" Recipe
1. Soften a bottle of Coconut Oil by setting jar in a pan of hot water.
2. Pour the soft contents (2 cups) (or 1 + 1/2 cups) Coconut Oil into a pan and heat on the stove medium heat. Add 1-2 cloves of garlic and 1 medium onion chopped. Cook for 3 mins or until partially clear. Remove from oil. Save and reuse cooked vegetables if desired. 
3. Let Coconut Oil cool. Then add 1 cup (or 3/4) of cold pressed flaxseed oil. Mix.
4. Pour flavoured fat mixture back into jars and refrigerate. Use as butter adding sea salt or Herbamare before eating.
5. Step 2 is optional if you don't like onion or garlic, leave plain or add other herbs.   


Before I sign off, I'd like to send a special shout out of thanks to an unseen woman of Jeans 'n Classics, our webmistress Tara Bowd of Sonic Notes. Tara has been very busy revamping many elements at our website this year. Thank you Tara! Check out the changes and additions at: www.jeansnclassics.com

Happy Holidays whatever you celebrate! Looking very forward to the JNC shows in 2015."
xo kr


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Leah Salomaa:

Leah Salomaa


"Winter Solstice and Merry Christmas greetings from me over here in downtown Toronto! 

Here I am singing The Holly and the Ivy as part of the St. Anne's Anglican Church Christmas concert on December 7. 
This holiday I will be curling up with some good books and taking things real slow. I'll also be editing my new music video soon to be up on my website. 
Check for updates at www.leahsalomaa.com

All the best to you and yours. Let's have a cracking 2015!"


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Stephanie Martin:

Stephanie Martin

"One of the greatest joys in my life is to get on a stage with a symphony orchestra and feel and be part of the glorious sound! Today, my wish for the whole extended JnC family across North America and around the world is for a happy, healthy and safe holiday season!"

(After a successful recent Kickstarter campaign, Stephanie will soon be working on her next album project, "Walk in the Light." This past month, Stephanie graced the intimate, unique Musideum stage in Toronto for a 2-night run on December 12 & 13, providing a taste of her new material. JnC singers Gavin Hope and Kathryn Rose were in attendance, Stephanie was wonderful! Here's a shot from the Saturday night performance.):





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Rique Franks:

Rique Franks

The beautiful and talented Rique Franks also sends her best holiday wishes, along with her version of "Little Drummer Boy" from a few years ago. Have a listen.

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Katalin Kiss:

Katalin Kiss

"Happy Holidays to the loyal and kind friends of Jeans and Classics. 
Looking forward  to another year of shows, with some of the greatest orchestras across North America. 
Wishing you and yours all the best.

Love, Katalin Kiss"


The view from Katalin's wintry log cabin window in Picton, Ontario.
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Those are our holiday messages! 

See you for our 2 upcoming New Year's Eve shows:

•Back to Back - the Music of Elton John and Billy & Joel with the Reading Symphony, (Reading, Philadelphia);

•Shaken Not Stirred - the Music of James Bond with the Lima Symphony (Lima, Ohio).

...and at all the shows in 2015! 
(2015 concert calendar.)




       &     

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Springfield Holiday Extravaganza!


The talented Harvey Felder!

Hello friends!
I had a simply marvelous time in Springfield MA last weekend.  JnC vocalist Gavin Hope and I were special guests for a very special evening of music celebrating this time of year.  It featured the incredible Springfield Symphony under the gifted and kind baton of guest conductor Harvey Felder, as well as the Springfield Symphony Chorus, under the direction of the gorgeous Nikki Stoia.  I can safely say that we were all carried to a most joyful place!  Yay!!  I was so grateful to be there, and I'm still singing the praises of the team who hosted us.  (Dear SSO Staff...you guys rock!)

Some of the glorious SSO women: Audrey, Karen and Shari.

Oh Santa!  Oh Jules!  Oh Gavin!
The craziest part of the night for me was performing the ever so sultry (and exceptionally greedy) song Santa Baby.  Harvey introduced it as the 'unwholesome' selection for the evening, and I think that was pretty accurate.  I was joined on stage by a large golden throne and Santa himself, who had to pull on his collar a few times, but seemed pretty happy being a ham bone!  Apologies to the first few rows stage right, who I (sigh) may have flashed inadvertantly...I was just REALLY into it! 


It's always wonderful to sing and travel with Gavin Hope.  He is an astonishing musician and wonderful human.  I should also mention that all of the photos in this post were taken by him or with his camera...thanks Gavin!

Looking forward to returning to Springfield in a few months time for a romp through the repertoire of Michael Jackson.  I can't wait to see everyone again. 

Thank you Springfield.  You made us feel so welcome, and we sure hope you enjoyed the show!
Be well.  Love music!
-AK