Oscar Peterson, 1925 - 2007

(posted by Debbie Goodridge 27 Dec. 2007)

Sadly, the world has lost another jazz great. After a long illness, jazz legend Oscar Peterson passed away on Christmas Eve from kidney failure. This past June there was a tribute for him at Carnegie Hall where his contemporaries, Hank Jones, Billy Taylor, Clark Terry all peformed in his honour.

Growing up in our church in Montreal I remember him and his family. He and his sister, Daisy used to play piano but Daisy also used to teach. In those days he along with Oliver Jones made a positive impact on our community. During my piano lessons with Daisy, she would tell me all kinds of wonderful stories about him, about his remarkable skill and his keen ear for remembering complex melodies.

Oscar leaves behind a wife and seven children, but also his magnificent talent and individual style which will be remembered and studied for decades to come.

For more on the Life Story of Oscar Peterson:
http://www.legacy.com/Link.asp?I=LS000100128647X

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Jazz festivals in 2008 - join us!

(posting by Debbie Goodridge - originally sent in an email to members 19 Dec. 2007)


Dear members and friends of the Jazz Society,

As we wind down 2007, I hope the year’s been good to you and that you’ll be able to attend tonight’s Jazz Society party in the Club Room GA-37. It’s only one of several events we’ve got planned for the club.

As part of the event planning for 2008, I’m in discussions with the UNSRC Travel Club to try and organize trips to some of the more interesting jazz festivals in the area. We would like to get some feedback from you to find out your interest. The more the merrier, but we need a minimum of 45 people for the buses. The information you provide will help us in planning for transportation, discount rates if available, etc. Although the artists haven’t been announced yet, here are the jazz fests we’re looking at:

Saratoga Jazz Fest 28-29 June 2008 Saratoga, NY
http://www.spac.org/spac-festivals/spac-festivals.asp?varID=14

Montreal Jazz Festival 26 June – 6 July 2008 Montreal, QC
http://www.montrealjazzfest.com/Fijm2007/accueil_en.aspx

As the Saratoga Fest runs into the Montreal Festival, we’re thinking of doing a trip New York/Saratoga/Montreal/New York from 28 June – 6 July. Depending on your input, we may also break it up into two trips, from 28-29 June (Saratoga) and 1-6 July (Montreal).

Please let me know:

a) if you’re interested; [yes] [no]
b) preferences of option 1) two separate trips, or option 2) one joint trip

As a member and friend, your input is important. Please add your comments below. We’re looking for some interesting feedback so I hope to hear from you soon.

On behalf of the Executive Committee, thank you for your continued interest and support and we wish you all the best for 2008.

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Remembering Rosa ( 1946-2007)

It is with deep sadness that the UNSRC Jazz Society informs you of the recent passing of Rosa Codina, Editor of the Jazz Society newsletter, in her hometown of Madrid, Spain on 26 October 2007.In addition to being a long-time UN staffer, Rosa will be remembered as a long-time member and essential contributor to the Jazz Society since 1983, providing support as a jazz enthusiast as well as being the editor of our newsletter “The World of Jazz” since 1985 (and Member-at-large a few years ago). Her most memorable and major contribution to the Society was all the hard work she put into to create the 25th anniversary Special Edition of “The World of Jazz”. Her love of life and her total dedication to the Society and the jazz world made us realize that Rosa was a very special person. It was a privilege to work with her, and we are grateful for the knowledge, enthusiasm and friendship she shared with the Jazz Society. She will be well-remembered and sadly missed by all who knew her.

Peace, Rosa...

A memorial has been arranged for Rosa Codina for the evening of Friday, November 16, 2007. Please contact Katherine Purdy either via email kpurdy@metlang.com or via telephone @ 310-882-2128 for further details.

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The Jazz Society participates at the 2007 UNSRC Club Fair

Thursday, 25 October 2007

Today the UN Staff Recreational Council (UNSRC) held a Club Fair, the annual membership drive that lets interested staff learn more if they wish to join any of the available recreational activities. All the clubs from chess to capoeira were there with props and posters and music, in an attempt to attract staff to their table. I want to take this opportunity to thank Gizem Bayazit, Frank Thompson and Ralph Morgan for helping out at our Jazz Society table. I do understand that due to work commitments only a few club members were able to come, but we were able to manage and the help was much appreciated.

Gizem brought some candies, Ralph his keyboard and Frank brought enough jazz interest to draw inquisitive staff members to our table and easily make for good promotion of the Society. As a result, we ran out of the 60 registration forms we had printed upand had to print more (thanks, Frank!). We also signed up 3 new members on the spot.

Also, I spoke with the Travel Club to find out if they're interested in collaborating on trips to jazz festivals such as Montreal, Saratoga, Newport, and Montreux. They are interested, and so we will be in contact to work on the plans. If you have any ideas in this area, please share them.

Kudos, too, to Gizem and Ralph for creatively assembling a raffle which attracted 20 potential new members. Next week we'll draw a name to see who will win Ralph's (donated) CD and a one-year membership to the Jazz Society.

We had a bit of musical competition, however, with the Latin Jazz Society playing and singing not far away but Ralph pulled it off like an expert, playing at lounge level and creating a mellow mood in our area.

Lastly, our President Emeritus Richard Jennings, who always comes to these fairs and helps out, apologized this time as he was unable to come but would be thinking of us. All in all, the event was a very fruitful opportunity for the Society. Hopefully with the new members on board we can gain a new energy that will help us rejuvenate the society. Looking forward to a year full of new ideas!

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AFFIN Event - 11 July 2007

UNSRC Jazz Workshop Band performed for the 11 July event organized by AFFIN, in celebration of French National Day, 14 July.Click here for more information on AFFIN.

Find more photos from the event right here!

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