The ten years from 2000 to 2010 were full of interesting activities for me.

Photographically, I continued my general and wedding photography, which I tapered off in ‘07 and stopped in ‘09, so, I retired from photographing weddings - however, I’m still available for other types photography, such as events, scenics and family groups. 

Over the previous 3 to 4 years I’ve been hired for an increasing number of weddings, but with my quartet instead of camera and I really enjoy that, as well as the many private (non-wedding) functions where CLQ have provided live music.

The year 2009 ended with a great private party on December 31st, with Kevin Perkins with his smokin’ guitar, Jordi Comstock on drums and Robert Clark on electric bass - a blast!

Hopefully 2010 will be as much fun as the previous years have been and now that I also play with the Mahone Bay Legion Swing Band, it should be a busy one.

Clas

The Stayners gig on 01 Oct 09 was great - I even had people around for the last set when, often only the staff are around - lots of fun trading solos with Kevin Perkins!!

On Saturday 21 Nov 09 I had a jazz evening in the “Mug & Anchor Pub”, in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia and it was a BLAST - full house with a great audience!!  A good friend of mine, Mike Watson joined me on several tunes with his tenor sax and we had fun trading solos - he’s a great guy and musician.

I’m now looking forward to family Christmas with my brothers-inlaw and then my daughters in Bear River (Nova Scotia).

After that, on 28 Dec 09, is the annual “Mega Jam” in Windsor (N.S.), where about 80 odd musicians get together in a private home for an evening of live music - from teenagers to us older musicians - always a fabulous evening of music and fun. 

Finally, I’ll finish off 2009 with a big private party on New Yewrs Eve, again with Kevin Perkins on guitar.

See You in 2010!!!

Clas   

Hey Everyone,

Here we are at the end of another summer, enjoying the beautiful September weather in Nova Scotia - definitely my favorite month of the year.

My next gig is at Stayner’s Wharf Pub and Grill, in Halifax, which is a great place to play in and I’m really looking forward to it, hoping we get a good crowd. Also for this gig, Kevin Perkins from Kentville is taking the guitar chair , so I’m looking forward to trading solos with him.

The remainder of 2009 is, at the moment a bit empty, except for a major New Year’s Eve private party, but I have one, or two things I’m working on.

In one way it’s good to have time off to work on new stuff, as well as the list of things to get done around the house !!

Later,

Clas

  

It has been a while since I wrote anything, but here I am.

I’ve had a fun and active June/July and there is more to come in August.

Nancy (my wife) and I did a road trip in June to Montreal for 4 days and then down through Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine - a gret ten day vacation.

July got pretty busy with gigs, tonight’s beeing the 7th, which doesn’t sound like much, but I’m now also playing with the Mahone Bay Legion Swing Band and they’re just peppering the calendar with concerts and parades - it’s great to be busy!!

The annual boat festival in Mahone Bay is coming up and then things sort of slow down a bit.

I’m loving my summer and hope you are as well.

See Ya!

Clas

We had a blast!!

It was not a large facility, but we had a full house and they really enjoyed our music - there was a good feeling from them, which makes you play better.

Actually they made us play an encore and then gave us a standing ovation!!! - first time.

It felt good!

Clas

So, it’s raining all day, but the flowers are peeking up and the grass is ready to cut and we have a whole summer ahead!!

On April 25th I photographed my last wedding in Mahone Bay, N.S. - I’ve enjoyed shooting weddings since 1994, but digital wedding photography just doesn’t appeal to me - it’s not the photography itself, that’s fun, it’s the hours on computer afterwards that turns me off. So, full concentration on other types of photography, but mainly on MUSIC.

Tonight we’re playing in the Bedford Public Library, Bedford, N.S., as part of the Jazzeast Rising Association’s “Jazz Up Your Spring” series (Jazzeast also organize the TD Atlantic Jazz Festival every year).

I have quite a few private gigs booked, as you can see on my schedule, but commercial ones are not happening as much this year, as the previous years due to belt tightening in the budget areas.

However, you never know, this may change down the road.

In the meantime, I’m having a blast, playing whenever I have an opportunity, which reminds me, I joined a big band in Mahone Bay, N.S., which forces me to play what is written on the page - good for me!

Talk to you again soon,

Clas

Hello Everyone!

We’re heading towards the end of February and (maybe) the end of cold weather. Not much activity this time of the year, but soon we’ll hopefully get busy again.

As you probably noticed on my schedule, the Economy Shoe Shop gig on 30Mar09, was cancelled. It’s unfortunate for me and other musicians, but in this recessive economy it is a wise move by the management. Hopefully things will improve and they may reinstate the Monday live jazz evenings.

However, the Shoe Shop management have invited me to display my photography as the artist of the month, which really pleased me - will let you know the month, when I find out. 

I am hoping again this year to be asked to play at the Mahone Bay Classic Boat Festival (festival’s 20th year) and the TD Atlantic Jazz Festival - maybe I won’t be, but it’s always good to have a positive attitude!! 

Now it’s time to shovel some more snow and then hunker down with a good book and a glass of red wine!

Bye for now,

Clas

I had a great Christmas and New Year Holiday, which included a lot of family and friends. Naturally I went to the Murley Megajam, in Windsor, N.S. and had the usual fabulous evening of music, food and friends.

2009 started off well with a wedding reception gig on Jan. 3rd in Lunenburg. Actually it became a double gig, when the groom asked me to do the photography in the church, during the wedding - lots of fun!

Last week, on Jan. 22nd, we had a great time playing in Stayner’s Wharf Pub and Grill, Halifax, N.S. Robert Clark was on bass, Tim Worthington on guitar, Jordi Comstock on Drums and Ann Denny on vocals. She’s new to us and she did a great job, as well as everyone else, that night. We were real tight and a few good solos were heard by all and sundry - hopefully, Ann will be singing with us again and again.  

The Economy Shoe Shop in Halifax is a bit of a questionmark at the moment, until the owners decide wether to continue Monday night live jazz, or not - please cross your fingers that they will continue, which would mean that my March 30th booking would happen and hopefully more throughout 2009. We all really enjoy playng in the Shoe Shop - lots of atmosphere and a good variety of people people who enjoy jazz with their meals.

Well, not much more to report now as you can see by my pretty empty schedule of gigs, which I know will fill up - in 2008 we played 40 gigs (some were just me solo).

Bye for now,

Clas

Just finished another gig at the Economy Shoe Shop, in Halifax and it was great!!

Lena was the primary vocalist and she did a great job of it - lot’s of passion.  She also brought her daughter with a bunch of friends who hooted, hollered and applauded, which was fabulous (for my ego).

Another vocalist, Ann Denny sat in for a couple of tunes and we really did a great job together, I was told. Ann will be with us on our Stayner’s Wharf Pub and Grill gig, on January 22, 2009 - come and enjoy!! 

I have a couple of gigs lined up - a solo performance at the St. Vincent Nursery Home in Halifax and a private function on Nov. 29th. After that it’s quiet until Jan. 22nd, except for the annual Mega Jam, after Christmas.

So, we’ll talk soon,

Clas

So  

Thanksgiving Day and a good day to be appreciative of a great season of music gigs.

During the year 2008 so far, music has been a big part of my time and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. Our annual dinner/dance gig in Chester, on October 4th, was a big success, as was the Economy Shoe Shop gig on October 6th, with Cheryl Edgett on vocals - she may join us again in the future.

At the moment there is nothing booked for the remainder of 2008, so I can spend some time on house jobs that are long overdue! Also, of course it’s an excellent time to work on new music, including new areas of improvisation.

The thing about music and especially jazz is that the more you learn and the better you play, you realize that there is so much more learning still ahead - that’s what makes it so great and challenging.

In my photography world, I’ve decided to phase out of weddings, but still be available for various events and other things, such as family photography. I’m working on a “re-decoration” of my website.

Cheers,

Clas