Playing our Parts

Jazz at Lincoln Center presented a fund raiser for the Jazz Foundation last Tuesday in Dizzy's Club Coca Cola. It was in memory of my brother Dennis Irwin, and I was fortunate to be able to attend to hear great musicians, and to participate in a wonderful occasion. Here is a slide show of some of the highlights of the evening, photographed by Frederic S. Sater.

Thanks to executive director Adrian Ellis, and to the event coordinator for Dizzy's Club, Todd Barkan. Todd is hospitalized because of a serious car accident, and we are all praying for his speedy recovery. He was formerly the owner and manager of the famous San Francisco jazz club The Keystone Korner.

The Jazz Foundation paid Dennis's medical bills when he became ill. The fund named after him helps jazz musicians get cancer screenings at Englewood Hospital. Screening is important in order to catch things that can go undetected until too late, which was the case with Dennis. This annual fund-raising concert is something that makes me very proud.

Long Overdue Update

We are in the full swing of the term here in St. Petersburg. The weather has finally turned beautiful, and this is the time of year we earn in August!

The Washington Post says almost an equal number of respondents say the Republicans or the Obama Administration would be responsible for a government shutdown. That is pretty incredible, when you consider that it is no secret that the Republicans and Tea Party people who view government as the enemy, and would gladly see most of it eliminated. I personally feel the poll is a simple reflection of the huge amounts of money poured into Republican PR campaigns since the horrible Citizens United Supreme Court ruling. It is about right-wing propaganda.

Flute, Clarinet, and Piano

Eckerd College String Orchestra Recital

Thomas Hampson Masterclass on Mahler Songs

Currently Mahler: Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen; Kindertotenlieder; Rückert-Lieder see related