Well, Canadian Idol is over for this year - and in my opinion, Canada got it wrong.

Regardless of my feelings for her, Theresa Sokyrka was the one who showed she could actually sing a variety of styles and genres. She didn't capture Janis Joplin when she sang Another little piece of my heart, but I think that was the only real exception.

Kaylan Porter on the other hand... I never really got the feeling he was better than a karaoke singer. He's a pretty boy, perfect to capture the screaming pre-teen girl demographic, but I never really got the feeling that he has any real talent. Besides, a boy making Born to be wild - a song popular about 30 years before he was born - his signature piece from the show... well, it just annoys me.

Canadian Idol crowns their winner tonight.

Why do I have this in a blag with a Jazz theme, you may ask? Reason: one of the finalistgs, Theresa Sokyrka, is a jazz singer.

I like her voice - I like her period. I think she's Canada's sweetheart. I don't think her performances blew voters away like other finalist Kaylan Porter did, but I can hope... besides, I'm not a big fan of Kaylan.

Canadian Idol crowns their winner tonight.

Why do I have this in a blag with a Jazz theme, you may ask? Reason: one of the finalistgs, Theresa Sokyrka, is a jazz singer.

I like her voice - I like her period. I think she's Canada's sweetheart. I don't think her performances blew voters away like other finalist Kaylan Porter did, but I can hope... besides, I'm not a big fan of Kaylan.

I flipped through the 2004 Jewish Ad directory as I waited for my Transport this morning. In an ad, clear as day, was a party DJ calling himself DJ Jazzy Jeff. The funny thing is the fact that a year or so ago, I called myself DJ Jeff Jazzy to avoid confusion with the guy who works with Will Smith. Guess this guy had no such consideration...

I just saw a show of Jazz Classics on CoolTV.

I didn't recognize him at first, but as soon as he performed "Hidi-hidi-ho" I realized that this was Cab Calloway.

Funeral Home Sued Over Decomposing Body (From Rednova)

Like is the case often, I'm amazed at some of the lawsuits in the news...

I just changed over the Comment system on all my Blogs... to say that it led to strange temporary glitches in each one is an understatement!

One real negative for the entire system is that it no longer has 'noscript' tags. Hopefully, few folks who visit here have javascript turned off.

Well, the Jazzfest finished last night, and I only got to the first day.

I'm disappointed, but not completely. Yes I wish I was able to see more, but this was a day more than I've been to in 5 years. Besides: with all the people who attended, I wouldn't have been able to get around... so one day is a victory for me!

JamBase | Go See Live Music!

I haven't found the section yet, but there are reviews of the Jazzfest on it.

I purchased CoolTV for my grid yesterday: replaced a channel I never watched, A&E. Videotron's free viewing ended, and as I've said getting that station was a no-brainer for me.

It's a great time to be a Jazz fan in Montreal: I was just reading the program book for the Festival, and had it confirmed that we'll have a definite Jazz-themed radio station this fall. Because of some technical snafus, they couldn't debut during the festival.

So now we have one of the best Festivals in the world, I have CoolTV as a channel to choose on TV, and we'll have a radio station too... I'm in Paradise.

Jazz Fest - Day 1

They were still building things for the opening day. Johnny Clegg came on stage almost 40 minutes later. He seemed fairly disinterested in his performance, keeping his hands in his pockets for the most part until he had a guitar to play.

Even then, he and his band only performed 4 songs before they wrapped up - and they never even acknowledged Montreal.

I hope that isn't a sign of things to come. I'll next be back there Sunday.

There's a poster for Ray Charles. He opened the festival in 1980. That was the second one I believe.

Edit: Clegg was probably just doing a stage rehearsal for his big show in the evening, and Ray was the first performer at the first Festival.

I'm preparing for my trip to the Jazz Fest today. I got cleaned up, packed my bag, put on my first dose of sublock for the day... I even watched some CoolTV to get me in a Jazz mindset. I may be physically exhausted by the afternoon, but it'll be worth it!

It's official: I've reserved my transport for the opening day of the Montreal Jazzfest. Now, barring rain, I'll be there... even if it leaves me as a puddle.

I finally changed my air conditioner plug to a different socket than my computer, so I can have both on now instead of switching to the fan mode when I use my PC. No more concerns about power spikes! Words aren't enough to convey how good it is to now compute in a cooled room.

It's now 6 days before the Montreal International Jazz Festival... it being the 25^th anniversary, I'll be there if I have to be pushed around on a wheeled mattress... There's been a lot of press about the event, especially an indoor concert by Jazz guitarist Keith Jarrett. I'm not a real fan of guitar jazz, but I understand he hasn't performed live in several years... in major part due to health troubles. The indoor show I'll be sorry to miss will be a tribute to the late Ray Charles. Ray performed at the 'fest since its earliest days. Montreal has many special memories of him.

I've been watching CoolTV, the Canadian Jazz specialty TV channel, all day.

As if I needed more reason to add the channel to my grid after the free-view is over (already a given), they air a concert with Holly Cole, my favorite Jazz diva.

Not that in my case a hard sell is neccesary!

I watched some CoolTV this morning... a show called SmoothJazz TV. What freaked me out was when they called Sade a jazz singer. I never thought of her as one!

CNN.com - Noisy McCartney angers residents - May 13, 2004

Man, a former Beatle, and his neighbors get annoyed? Can you say, "Dumb."?

Comcast fires entire TechTV staff

It's not related to Jazz, but this channel was the major reason I came back to Videotron when I moved to my new apartment. Now, the big media monster bought the station - and in a major jackass move, hit it with a "slash and burn".

Why do I suspect the channel will now disappear?