The Songs...

Another Fest Come and Gone Again...

                                           Rolling no more...

 Sometimes I think my body may be deteriorating like my poor bag. My short-term travel case, the one I used for short trips here and there, finally stopped rolling whereas I have begun again. I had to put the brakes on a bit last year to deal with a serious health issue. Now freshly neutered & fitted with new luggage, I'm back on the trail. I bade a tearful goodbye to Lisbon where I lived most of last year and headed to Montreux Jazz for the 4th time since I was first there in the Summer '08.

                              Tristan gearing up for a Lakeside session

This year was special for our musical family. Mark & I presented five new songs each on our CD Best Friends, Tristan O'Meara had a new CD too Southern Breezes, Red showed up in Red form, and we shared our spot with many other wonderful musician friends including Trippin', Mick Mennogucci, Micha Sportelli, Baum, Auralie, and Nino. We rocked Montreux once again. I had never imagined doing any of these things when I left the States nearly 5 years ago. What an amazing adventure!

My music is sounding a little bit country. I have no idea how this is happening. Just feel the songs in this way now. There's a ton of joy and healing for me in writing. Many friends have encouraged me along the way. Grateful? Hell yea! Now what to do with it? I'm singing full-time, writing, healing myself and others thru music. All fantastic. Time to record in a different way. It's not easy to do when I'm moving around so much, but I'm ever forging ahead.

As I reflect on life I'm filled with awe. So much has happened since I decided to wander. People close to me have passed on others have just dropped off the radar and still family given and chosen are filling my world with love. I've enjoyed the recent visits from close friends. I've learned to cherish each moment. It's difficult to put a value on what I've gained since the beginning of this voyage, but I know I wouldn't change a thing. I'm happy to be living and to be alive. More opportunities in the air... As my friend Tristan says in his song, Sunsets Over the Ocean, "just look for grace, don't over try... cause I believe it's flowing as we're growing". Here's to new growth and continued grace...

Enjoy life.
See you around the planet...

                                Me and Myra In Sintra, Portugal

Dramatic Pause... Angels Present

"the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true..."

It's difficult to live on the road long term. Well into the third year of wandering the globe to sing and experience life, I realized my health had taken a back seat to everything else. Most of us don't think about preventative care; we see the doctor when we have a problem. Factor in language & cultural differences, cost,  plus lack of insurance and we seek medical attention even less. Such was my case. I was traveling with a tumor that was supposed to shrink--or so I was informed. Actually, truth be told... the advice was it could go either way and I chose to believe it would shrink rather than grow to the enormous size it eventually did. Often my faith-based upbringing makes me more optimistic than practical. (That's my story and I'm clinging to it.) Late Spring last year, it became clear I had a serious issue: I looked 4 months pregnant. Yikes! So it was time to take on overhead, get some keys, settle down for a moment, and figure out if I was dying. I'm not being dramatic. Things got pretty scary, but I'm still here. Meanwhile... one of my dearest friends on the planet, Leah, actually was dying... from cancer.

Leah Siegel had been like a sister to me since we were kids. In fact we'd tell people we were sisters. We had even concocted elaborate tales to explain why one of us was white and the other black. As adults we'd often laugh about those stories. She was one of the few who knew I was leaving the States indefinitely. Leah smiled and said, "If you get stuck, call me." I was in a cyber cafe in Zurich when I got the email she had stage 4 breast cancer. It was August 2008. She had just delivered a healthy baby boy, Oliver, when doctors discovered she was ill. It was overwhelming news...so bittersweet. Trying to keep the tears out of my voice, I phoned Leah.  True to form, she was spirited, uplifted and optimistic. When I suggested returning to be with her she protested. She was gonna live vicariously through my wanderings and fight the odds BIG TIME. Leah did just that... She fought, wrote about it and endured with more courage, integrity, and humor than anyone I know, but finally the cancer won. Leah died last Summer. I mourned her passing on a deserted beach in Portugal. It's a special beach with super high iodine levels in the water. The ocean was so calm I floated weightlessly remembering my dear friend...feeling her angel present all around me.

Me and my angel, Leah... Dallas 2007...sisters in spirit.

As I approach my 4th year on the road, I'm reflective. So much has happened. There have been really fantastic times and some scary ones too. Sometimes I ponder how have I made it thus far? My life is a wonder! Each day I'm certain that patient, generous angels keep me afloat. More is to be done on this journey I've chosen. In the difficult moments I remember the courage and strength of my angels so I can look up again with gratitude for another day to continue my story. So much love is all around keeping me buoyantly moving along singing my songs.


Here's to finding your joy, your passion, the thing that makes you happy to be alive...dare to dream & have your dreams come true!
See you around the planet...
Love, Joy, & Loads of Laughter!

Russia Revealed & the Road thus Far...

Late posting has become a standard with me it seems. I have been living this whirlwind of a life for 3 years now and at times I can't keep up with me. Perhaps my zest for writing faded a bit after Russia. The reason? My guess is I realized I was on a circuit. Not that I'm complaining about it, just seemed as if I was always returning to certain places because that's where the work was. More on this in a moment. First let me recall Russia.

my name in Cyrillic...

I finally got my Russian visa in time to make the one month trip beginning November 10th. My friends JC, Enrika, & Orianna let me hide out at the vineyard while my passport was being processed in Washington, DC. Yup. I had to send my passport by courier to the States or no visa. At one point I thought it would be impossible to obtain. At last ticket and beautiful visa plus all other relevant documents in hand, I boarded the plane to Krasnodar, RU.

Long story shortened...my buddy Nick joined forces with the Rostov Jazz School to present me in various concerts. Rostov is the home of jazz in Russia-talk about synchronicity. It was pretty amazing to sing with the students and professionals there. I taught a master class and had 2 television interviews where apparently I was labeled "America's Top Jazz Singer". Fancy that! One of my favorite musical moments had nothing to do with jazz. My last week in Krasnodar, where I was based, I worked with a young club DJ on 5 of his beats. In 4 days we gathered the sounds, I wrote the lyrics and melodies, and we performed them live in a club the night before I flew away. WOW! Pretty incredible. The consensus is I should return for a longer stay. We'll see...

the fabulous DJ original music night...

This year when I hit Barcelona in January it dawned on me I had been here this same time last year. Even though I like the city more than the first time, I still don't see it as my EU home. I went to see Nicole in Madrid too. My annual visit this year landed me in a small black-box theatre show with Nicole dancing beautiful flamenco and me singing a Capella respectively. She has really settled in Madrid. It made me wonder why I can't or won't pick a settling place?

The big mosque in Casablanca

Marrakech

Just to get me off the merry go round and keep my dream of singing all over the world on track, after Madrid I changed course and trekked across the waters to Morocco.. People voiced concerns about me going alone, but this is a one woman adventure. I loved it there in the Third World again for it had been several years since I had been in the Motherland. I felt quite at home day or night. I walked the streets to clubs and hotels where I might be able to work. I also reconnected with a musical buddy from Paris '07. We swapped stories about living solely from music. Strangely enough I thought it may be a place to set camp for awhile, but that would have to come later 'cause I had booked work in Lisbon. So I hung out for about a month, made some connections, and worked a little. Will keep you posted on the return.

Now I am in Lisboa. This year biz has been slower. The city lost its oldest jazz club to a fire last year. Plus the economy is crazy for everyone. Nonetheless, I had a wonderful time again, connecting with old friends, making new ones, working on new projects, speaking of future visits. I even got to sing with Kirk Lightsey. All good.

Kirk Lightsey

My gypsy year has become 3 years and I feel as if it's the beginning. I jumped out of the circuit twice with big trips to Russia and Morocco and a few smaller ones around Spain. Now that my Portugal time is winding down I'm considering where to go next. For now I will explore other European cities, but I've got Israel and Asia on the brain.

Thanks for putting up with my sporadic blogging. Keep pursuing your own dreams. Life is amazing!

Peace, Love, & Laughter...

Swizzy Revisited & Further HRH Adventures...

Time marches on...

I've gotten really lax about posting to the blog. Been trying to keep up the myspace, facebook, twitter thangs while simultaneously living in the moment. Dig? No excuses just the facts. A wee example of how busy I've been: I left my new Swizzy base (the Villa is on the market)for 4 days and ended up being on the road nearly 5 weeks. Crazy! I just kept going in a forward motion. None of this back and forth crap. The trains in Swizzy are spendy even with my half price card-no waste, no worries. So how can I catch you up on my wacky adventures over the last couple of months? There are sure to be gaps, but one day the tell-all... blah diddy blah...

Old friends in new places: Rickey Payton & his Lady

This past summer I sang again at the Montreux Jazz Festival. When I was in Jazz radio, I dreamed of being there. Now I've actually sung twice at the festival. Headlining next? It's in the dreambox. It was another magical year. Mark Kelly hooked up a sweet lakeside stage for us and friends. Plus he shared one of the big stages with me. It was different than last year, in a good way. We were more confident, less frantic, and saavy enought to take small moments for ourselves. Princess was blessed with a couple more Montreux gifts: a fabulous necklace of antique glass beads & a guitar! Guess I gotta learn to play now. The biggest surprise was running into an old family friend there. Can you imagine? I was just walking along the lake getting ready to sing when I bumped into Rickey. It had been ages since we'd collided in person. For one second I almost felt like I was back in the States .

Magic moments at Montreux Jazz Festival!

I played some new smaller fests as well and met more wonderful people, some of whom are quickly becoming friends. (BTW- I miss you, my friends Stateside, who know me well and treat me like family! U know who u are.) One such new bud is a winemaker. Lucky me!!! Jean-Christophe has an amazing vineyard overlooking Lake Geneva. His sweetheart, his little daughter, & the entire family welcomed me with open arms, so I spent the harvest season with them. We snipped the grapes from the vines the 1st weekend in October. OMG!!! The gorgeous weather, wonderful people, & great wine almost made me forget I was fruit picking. Tough physical labor by the way, but then there were magnificent lunches and dinners plus wine, wine, wine! I actually arose for the 7am breakfast looking forward to spending my day in the vineyard with other family members and friends practicing my French. It's kinda sad when a 2 y/o asks,"Tu comprends, Katt?". Ma petite Banane, that's what I call her, keeps me on my toes.

The vineyard...

Pere Michel making music at the Open House.

Jean-Christophe and his family...

grapes fresh from the vines...


time for crushing to start the wine fermentation process...

Oops, I jumped ahead a bit. One of the highlights of my second season in Swizzy was the 2 week singer's session I got to do in the Winterthur schools. It was a series of mini-concerts a capella called "The Voice- That Katt". If anyone had ever asked if I could begin singing each day at 8:15am I'd have punched him, but I did it. One thing that keeps me saying yes to new adventures is my goal to reach larger audiences and sing all over the world. School children? Never thought of it. What a trip! They were all ages and nationalities. Not too blended 'cause I am in Swizzy, but there was a smattering of world representation. Every weekday I sang at least 4 sessions. The teachers' told me how touched some of the students were by my songs. But it was the strangers on the street who would stop to ask if I was the singer then recount the story of how their kids came home from school talking about me that assured me I was having a positive impact. See, I've come to learn the youth are desensitized by music videos where all is glamourized. Usually what they get is fairly homogenized. Using jazz, spirituals, originals, pop, & showtunes I was able to demonstrate the power of the first instrument- the voice. An extra special me treat was singing some of the spirituals I grew up singing as a wee lass. I had forgotten some of those songs and they are sooo powerful. Walk With Me Lord & Swing Low Sweet Chariot were school house favs. The songs really do free the spirit for the journey. For me they also set the energy in the room. Pretty cool!! I was so thrilled when they sold out my final concert, bringing their siblings, parents and grandparents. Thanks kids for diggin' the music and me.

Zurich's Casa Bar...

I'm still constantly blown away by all the opportunities coming my way since I began this adventure. It never crossed my mind how any of it would unfold. Even now another chance to realize my dream of singing in Russia is in the mix. Obtaining a Russian visa when I'm not in my country of origin is a trial, but I'll keep searching for a way. I've been invited, the first step. Keep fingers and toes crossed for me. If all works out I'll visit Southern Russia for nearly 2 months before the year's end. Oooo weee!!!:) When gratitude is constantly in my heart I know I'm truly blessed.

As always I send you Katt-joy and wishes for a fulfilling life...

Quick Catch Up...

OMG! I didn't realize I hadn't updated in ages. Life has been busy here in Europe. I'll catch up briefly...

First of all Happy New Year! I spent the eve in the Swiss Alps on a yak farm. 1600 meters up the mountain the yak live with peacocks, potbellied pigs, and my new farmer friends Daniel & Sandy. It was cold, but gorgeous. In fact I huffed and puffed my way to all that beauty and breathlessly stood to enjoy every moment. I even went sledding on the Moose Alps. Since I got a bit of back end, I swooshed down the paths quicker than everyone else loudly laughing while trying to simultaneously capture video. What a blast!!!









After much procrastination (read fear), I finally boarded a train South. I spent my birthday on an over-nighter from the SwissLand to Spain, stopping briefly in Barcelona and Madrid. I sang in clubs in both places this time. Also got to hang with my friend Nicole dancing to drum n bass til 5am! It was wonderful and shocking to be back in the real world again-Switzerland is sort of a European Disney, clean, orderly, everybody in line. Once again there was visible homelessness and poverty. Hell I had become so civilized I got ripped off in Barcelona! It was clear I needed to get my city-mean back. Unfortunately, my cool camera was stolen, so there won't be many photos until I replace it.

Portugal is beautiful. I am hanging out in Lisboa. Though it's still a trek to get right on the beach-the reason I headed South in the first place-I really like the city and the people. It's been a blessing to sing here. So many wonderful opportunities have come and keep coming. I still want to sing in Porto and Algarve. Here are a few links you can check out; one from Portugal, the other from Zurich:
http://jnpdi.blogspot.com/2009_02_01_archive.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md0hT7EpeGg&feature=channel_page

The SwissLand will have me again in May and June. I have more bookings there. Then I hope to sing in Prague, Croatia, and the Netherlands before the weather goes cold again. We'll see and I'll keep you posted.

Sorry its been so long since I've updated. Sometimes I fall into a vortex. It's exciting to be busy and still living this incredible life. Never did I imagine all of the blessings. So I continue to say "Live, Love, & Follow Your Heart".

Precious Life & The Puss Puss Cafe...

Me & one of my precious friends, Leah.

Whoa, it's been waaay too long since I've been able to write. You know by now the gypsy year has been extended. Perhaps it's better to say I'm on my walk-about. Whatever this is, life constantly amazes me as do the the people I know & those I meet everyday. We're truly an incredible species! I am often surprised, terrified, and encouraged simultaneously.

I'll try to connect the dots here since the last post. Geez, what a long breath between writing time. The big Zurich event was a bust. Not that all was lost. It was more of a theatre event with wide open spaces and not much music. One might think it a bonus since I went there to sing, but when I checked out the place all was too uncovered for me. I have learned to protect my voice by choosing spaces with great acoustics. It's really important. Plus I can sing forever without strain. With that in mind, I searched for my spot. Zurich is the "big city" where buskers aren't often seen playing. Made me nervous, but I pressed onward. Eventually I found the perfect spot: Helmhaus, a cathedral ceiling, fountain springing edifice serving as entry to a museum. I had no clue about the museum the first day I went to sing. I was just chirping along when out of the corner of my eye I spotted a security guard. Well, I was mid-song and I wasn't about to stop. He would just have to wait because I was certain he wanted me to cease and disappear (Someone said I'm quite special for Swiss-land. I informed her I am special everywhere.) True it was. While the museum was open I was nicht allowed to sing there where the fabulous high ceiling caressed my voice. Where I could whisper and still be heard. So I just went across the street. Good sound, but not the same Helmhaus sound. Funny thing 'cause I could still be heard in the domed entry of that coveted entry. You really have to be here to get it. This part of the city is one big echo chamber, but rules are rules and the Swiss take the rules seriously. In the end I kept the museum schedule in check and showed up as they closed so I could sing for a couple of hours. For most buskers access to the masses is more important than anything else. I'm still more fond of places. People will either come or not, but I want a quality space where I can rehearse my music. It's one of the reasons I stand apart from the norm and also why there's still magic in the music for me. The real buskers have gimics: a puppet, balloons, dancing bears, something. I have my voice, a gift from the heavens. I hope never to loose the gratitude.

After about 10 days in Zurich, I returned to Basel for Basel Lebt- an outdoor festival celebrating the ethnic diversity of the city. The Curly Monster (aka Mark Kelly) and I were booked to perform for 2 days. What a blast! The Curly one was staying at the villa, so Dex had us in the studio one morning to plunk out a few tunes. Then we headed to the fest to play some more. One night we hung out with the event organizers after closing. I disappeared to use the WC and heard jazz wafting over the Rhine. I knew a friend was playing a party close by, so took a chance it might be him and peeked in the hall. There was a jazz band playing. Sure enough George was there and asked me to sit in with them. Great acoustics, once again, no need for a mic. It was the end of a wedding celebration and the guests wouldn't let me leave. I was in heaven singing with the band, had forgotten the others, and was singing away when I looked up to see the Curly one and another wild looking, dred toting acquaintance at the door. Registering the panic on George's face that the party might turn into hippie heaven if the rest of our gang appeared, I exited graciously and died laughing with my pals on the way back to our own less conservative fun. Neither friend had ever heard me in my jazz element. They were speechless. See at the festival Mark & I did originals and only a couple of bastardized jazz standards (Summertime & Hit the Road, Jack), so this was a new dimension for them. Jazz is my foundation. Cool for me they witnessed me in my element. The more I try to run from it, the more it is in my face. That's life. Isn't it?

Konrad & Erika, Basel Lebt organisers.

I was invited to teach at a music camp for kids ages 9 to 15. Yea, I know... me teaching and children even? Believe me it was an eye-opener in a bazillion ways. First they were all little Swiss Germans so they speak German, Swiss German, and I don't yet. Funny how quickly one learns to communicate when dealing with 18 rambunctious youths. My few phrases- nein, das ist verboten, das ist nicht erlaubt, super- came in real handy. Plus I had the benefit of a translator. Then there was the time I let them have it. The incomprehensible English poured out of me in a steady stream, but my intentions were no less than clear. Everyone got the picture: Mz nice had exited the house (we were living in a big, old country house in the French part of Swiss-land). Afterward things were a bit easier. For some reason I thought these little privileged ones would be angels. Apparently, I was the only angel in the house. Well, me and Sasha, our caterer for the week. In the end we focused on the younger ones who were so enthusiastic about the music they insisted on creating up til the very last minute. Their energy was contagious! I wrote a song (If You Wanna B With Me) with them day before our final concert when the parents would come to witness. We performed it, and though there were flaws ( I played keyboard on the piece) everyone was committed. They made me so proud! (I wanted to upload it here for you, but there were issues. Next time)

Some of my favorite campers, the little ones.

Out for a campers' picnic in the cow pasture. Sasha checking the food bags.

I learned so much in that week. I kept emphasizing how the whole body plays a part in the music. Telling the kids how they should sing while playing their instruments as training for their future solo music careers. Then I sat at that keyboard with a true panic. It is very difficult to play and sing. I gained a whole new respect for many artists I hadn't quite liked previously. No names here, but if you know me well you can guess who a few of them are/were. Being at the camp was something I needed to experience. Everytime I say yes there are blessings falling from the sky. WOW!!!

What can I say? I believe I am doing exactly what I should be doing in this moment of my life. Everything isn't always easy and dreamy, but there's magic each day. Perhaps I adjusted my attitude so I could see my charmed existence more clearly. I can't really speak about the difference at this moment. Guess that'll come in the memoirs? Ha, Ha, Ha! I know you can hear me laughing loudly as certainly I can hear a few comments from your end. Anything is possible. I'm still here. Right?

Thomas & Sammy making my dreams come true...

I met Sammy, the drummer, at the camp. We had late nights of music and wine with the other organizers while we listened out for teenagers breaking curfew. So fun! Lots of on-the-spot-creating. I love that shit! Sammy and I bonded as first time teachers for these particular campers. He had studied at Berkeley- yup the Boston music one- and we shared wonderful stories about jazz. Needless to say the days were long 'cause we'd stay up half the night and have to show at the breakfast table at 8am. Whew!!! Anyhoo...(loquacious, eh?) Sam invited me to play at his uncle's 50th. Uncle Robby lives at the top of a castle. Can we say, "dreams come true"? Not only was it a gorgeous day and I was singing in a castle, I also met a new pianist. Thomas is delicious too. Wonderful player, funny, and willing to put up with my need to stretch jazz beyond recognizable boundaries. Sweet!

Now my band has a few gigs, a name-Puss Puss Cafe- and a place to record. Ooo weee. Can it get much better? Hell yes! There's so much work to be done, but I can see things coming together a bit more these days. I believe we have a time in our lives when we blossom. Just like the flowers . Perhaps this is my time?

Whenever people ask me if I miss the States, my reply is the same: I miss my family and friends. The fact that you are sending me love and support on the vine of the Universe keeps me strong. So, I have a request: please send healing vibes and love energy to one of my most precious friends, Leah, who discovered after giving birth to her 3rd baby, Oliver, that she has stage 4 breast cancer. I trust in our collective power and energy. Leah's strength, sense of humor, and love has been an encouragement to me for a long time. Let's send her a surge of courage and wishes for good health. Thank you! I can feel it already.

Puss Puss Cafe opened a new club in Luzern, thanks to pal Konrad.

Keep Shining! Peace, Joy, Loads of Love...