Hey friends!
Before I get to the gigs, I want to celebrate my musical home and put out that I’m looking for a new music studio. I’ve been lucky to have a spot in a 100+ year-old building in the heart of Hollywood for the past decade, but the building’s been sold and I’m looking to find a new place this month. It was a unique situation, and I’d like to find something similar!
Here’s a look at some of the joys we’ve had there. Ten Years at McCadden. (And read more here.)
Our next Second Saturdays in Pasadena is on July 12. I’m excited to be joined by First Fridays/Second Saturdays alum, Alison Lewis, and Kēhau Kahananui with Jason Arimoto on ukulele, for an eclectic evening of song — and in the case of Kēhau’s set of Hawaiian music — dance! I will be accompanying all and doing my own set to close the night. Yes, there will be hula! And you may know that Hawaii is a very special place for me, so I can’t wait! Read about these brilliant artists here.
Then on July 22, I’m going to sing a couple of songs with the house band where FF/SS alum, Jami Lula is the music director, at the North Hollywood Church of Religious Science. I’ll be singing, “Silos (& Joy)” and “All Souls Are Free.” The theme is, “Big Spirit = Big Healing!” I’m up for that! 🙂
By the way, the photo with my “Worn Olive Drab” Epiphone Casino, by Kimberly Adamis Fongheiser, is from the Beatle Jam tribute to June birthday boy, Paul McCartney. I was playing George Harrison’s classic solo to “Till There Was You.” Then I sang “Michelle!” with the amazing house band’s harmonies (including FFJN alum, Lisa Crawley).
The week after the Beatle Jam, I did the Nilsson tribute at Molly Malone’s. This photo by Stevo Rood links to a video of my performance of “Open Your Window,” a lesser-known classic in the Nilsson catalog, once covered by Ella Fitzgerald and also The 5th Dimension! Thanks to my brilliant friend and occasional songwriting partner, Todd Lawrence, for putting this together. (Read about the rest in the YouTube description.)
Lastly, I just wanted to acknowledge that Tuesday would’ve been the 74th birthday of my friend, Anne Feeney, who I met at the Kerrville Folk Festival around 2007 or 8. She enlisted me to tour with her during the start of the Obama Administration to promote universal health care, the Sing Out For Single Payer Road Show. It was one of the most exciting tours of my life, being inspired by her endless energy and commitment to engaging, entertaining, and advocating. She passed in early 2021 from COVID-19. How I wish she were here now to speak, sing, and agitate! I recorded a version of her classic, “Have You Been To Jail For Justice” for her while she was in the hospital, if you’d like to hear it. But seek out her records and support the foundations set up in her name.
Wishing love, peace, and fortitude to you all! Have a safe holiday weekend! And I hope to see you the following weekend or be in touch soon!
J
PS Thanks to veteran IRS publicist Cary Baker for the top photo of me at the Nilsson show. He’s alway in the right place to get good shots!
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