Welcome to our Summer news!
Our Summer has been punctuated by a myriad of musical activities and performances, and road trips to the shore, upstate NY, Chesapeake Bay area and trips to France and Switzerland. Laurent has been very busy practicing new arrangements for his solo performances. He is currently attending a 2 week intensive Jazz workshop at the Buster Williams International School of Music (led by the legendary jazz bassist Buster Williams) at IDEA Music Performing Arts Center. The program brings together advanced musicians of different backgrounds who all share a common interest in jazz. He is very excited about the opportunity to study in such a nurturing musical environment and to further develop his individual music creativity, jazz improvisation and ensemble performance – and to integrate his new skills into his style and to his performances as a solo, or with Mélange Jazz Collective and other ensembles.

Summer is also a good time to explore and develop fresh ideas for entertainment for the upcoming Fall and Winter meeting and event planning season and engage with our clients, community members and partners.

Philly jazz scene: Bert Harris Duet with Laurent Bass at Paris Wine Bar & Lounge
Musical notes from my trip to France
I was fortunate to spend the month of June in France vacationing and visiting family on the beautiful shores of Lac Leman (Lake Geneva) and experience one of its major cultural events, Fête de la Musique.
Fête de la Musique, celebrated on the day of Summer Solstice, June 21st, is a very popular festival where amateurs and professionals sing and play music in public spaces all over France, from large cities to small villages. It is a showcase for all musical genres, from traditional music to pop, rock, opera, jazz, techno, choirs, rap, world, etc., to new trends. The region hosted several free and excellent concerts.
Speaking of special events……. Renowned for its natural beauty and for its Winter and Summer activities and due to its proximity to Geneva, the area of Lac Leman attracts a number of foreign visitors and newcomers. I was delighted to be invited to a multicultural “English Apero” (cocktails) where English and French speaking guests and students mingled, sipping wine and savoring delectable hors-d’oeuvres while practicing their English and French. We were entertained by a fabulous musician and multi-lingual conteur (storyteller) performing on Celtic harp and bagpipes, Robert Amyot (www.robert-amyot.com). It was a great occasion to bring community members together, improve one’s language skills and create new friendships.

Best wishes to everyone for the remaining of Summer.