COLE PORTER

NOVEMBER 2023

I have always been in love with Cole Porter. With his music…his words…and the tenacity with which he lived his life. He was a fearless original and always true to himself.

His words are witty, bold, moving but also reveal a great vulnerability. His music is wondrous and sensuous. Together - in words and music - he creates a timeless portrait of the human experience!

On “NIGHT AND DAY - THE COLE PORTER SONGBOOK”, I have woven together ten of my favourite Porter songs to tell a story of the gamut of human emotions. With Don Breithaupt’s stunning orchestral arrangements, I was given the freedom to soar through a musical landscape in which I hope to honour the genius of Cole Porter.

TALES FROM BERLIN

Words can simply not express the feelings about this experience. Three concerts in three cities in only a short eight day span. And in between a press conference and rehearsals as well as some sight-seeing. It was a dream come true to bring my new CD MODERNE FRAU which is dedicated to the incredible women of Weimar to the birthplace of this great era. My Berlin agent Marita Goga had worked tirelessly for a year to make my appearances possible and for this I am eternally grateful. And what a treat to have been able to bring my Toronto pianist, the great Tom King, with me on this journey. We were rounded out by Berliners Robin Draganic on bass and Tilman Person on drums. From our very first rehearsal to the last note we struck together it was a seamless and joyous musical and personal fit.

First up we played a wonderful club in Berlin called “Bflat”. We were treated so well and had a packed house…which included several ex-pat Canadians as well as friends and family who had come from other parts of Germany for my debut. The next day we headed to the prestigious Kurt Weill Fest in Dessau. It was magical to sing Weill’s music in his hometown and performing in the huge and old Marienkirche for a very warm capacity audience was one of the high points of my musical career. We rounded out our tour by performing in a wonderful historic “barn” that was part of a cloister in the town of Zehdenick. Again we were greeted by the warmth of people who were eager to hear what this Moderne Frau had to say :-).

And then, before we knew it, our tour had come to an end.

Berlin, Dessau and Zehdenick - you stole my heart and I can't wait to come back!