The A to Z challenge: moving on and returning to N

The other night I took the 26 cards and moved on

1. I got the 26 randomly chosen names from my work phone extension list and sent out a rambling email to those I were going to gift the cards to the next day. The hope was to explain the project.
2. I realized I had placed "N" by two names, but had only drawn one card. So make that 27 names.
3. I placed the cards into the mailboxes at work.
4. I answered questions by those puzzled by the rambling email.
5. Realized one person chosen was a student teacher who is no longer at the school.
6. Told the second "N" that I had messed up.

If you have followed this, you may remember I had been shocked to find that I had no jazz when I got to the letter, N. So last night I once again listened to the Lewis Nash CD I bought for the A to Z challenge. And here is the doodle:

 

Doodling to jazz, an A To Z Challenge: Z is for Miguel Zenon

Miguel Zenón was new to us when we entered the Episcopal church a few Rochester Jazz Festivals ago. Sad to say it took getting to Z in this A to Z challenge to buy some of his music. 26 letters. Most with many choices, but a few got some new jazz into my life.

 

 

Doodling to jazz, an A To Z Challenge: W is for Andrea Wolper and Y & Xis for Renee Yoxon

http://andreawolper.com/ 

Andrea Wolper was chosen over a possible double W, and a Wayne at that, but Wayne Wallace did not wow me at my self-imposed jazz concert this past summer. Greens for this lovely emerging spring. 

The next jazz singer, besides delighting my spirit, has something in common with Andrea Wolper. I met them both on twitter. Renee Yoxon also has a y and an x in her last name, but I didn't cheat, in fact I drew two rainbow doodles while listening to her sing.

 

Doodling to jazz, an A To Z Challenge: U is for Massimo Urbani & V is for Sara Vaughn

For the third time my collection failed to provide a CD, but I found an amazing sax player by the name Massimo Urbani to do some doodling. I chose 7 prismacolors from my reds. Here he is playing one of my favorites.

 

 

V didn't have many options, but more than U. I chose Sara Vaughn, I hope no one will be upset with that. As for the doodle, it is the first mandala in this atozchallenge

 

Doodling to jazz, an A To Z Challenge: S is for Maria Schneider and T is for Clark Terry

Another attempt at catching up, and let me tell you I am seriously pondering skipping over X, but that's later.

Maria Schneider composes for her orchestra and it is all about jazz and such beauty. It makes me happy that her life has led to this music.

 

 

Clark Terry has been playing the trumpet for a long time, but I only have one of his CD's. It features Thelonius Monk. Get ready to go in orbit:

 

Doodling to jazz, an A To Z Challenge: R is for Renee Rosnes

Once again a double letter name shows up, Renee Rosnes is a fine pianist and composer. I used her version of A little Help From My Friends, when I created a video of Margaret and her grouting buddy, The Grout Monster.

 

 

Doodling to jazz, an A To Z Challenge: P is for Nicki Parrott, Q is for Alvin Queen

Well, I snapped out of my jazz doodling lull last night with both P and Q doodled but not posted. Who knew I would fall behind while on a four day weekend? P is for Nicki Parrott a bass playing jazz singer.

 

Then came Q and off to the searching I went and found jazz drummer Alvin Queen. I had to go with pink and green after my recent trip to Longwood Gardens which had a pink and green thing going on in their conservatory.

 

 

Doodling to jazz, an A To Z Challenge: O is for Anita O'Day

Last night while doodling, I listened to a much different version of Anita O'Day singing Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered. But isn't that what I love about jazz. The ability of taking a tune in so many directions.

 

 

Doodling to jazz, an A To Z Challenge: N is for Lewis Nash

Searched high and low through the main stash in the living room, the studio, my classroom, and then in iTunes. Found no N's. But how many of those CDs of other letters would have featured the drumming of Lewis Nash? Plenty. So it was time I owned a musical endeavor in which he led the band. The Quintet was amazing. As for Neon, Mosaic Woman is doing the atozchallenge as well but her theme, color. For N she did neon, so I played along.

Doodling to jazz, an A To Z Challenge: M is for Marian McPartland

Billions of M to choose from, but went with Marian McPartland who introduced us to so many jazz artists from A t

 

 

Doodling to jazz, an A To Z Challenge: L is for Julian Lage

A rare straight line doodle this evening. We heard Julian Lage one night at the Rochester Jazz Festival playing duets with Taylor Eigsti. It was wonderful. Here they are together...

 

 

 

Doodling to jazz, an A To Z Challenge: K is for Jim Kuemmerle

One day while searching for a kickstarter project to support, we came across Jim Kuemmerle. His project was to speak the story of factory workers trapped in a fire. We were glad to support his successful project.

 

 

Doodling to jazz, an A To Z Challenge: J is for Christine Jensen's Jazz Orchestra

 

Jazz Orchestras are a splendid doodling medium and when a highly favored trumpeter, Ingrid Jensen is being conducted by her amazing sister, Christine Jensen. Well, it was fun indeed

 

Doodling to jazz, an A To Z Challenge: I is for Abdullah Ibrahim

Went to the music of South Africa this evening and doodled in violets and purples to the jazz of Abdullah Ibrahim. Had a difficult time capturing to colors, so I muted them to capture the flow.

 

 

Doodling to jazz, an A To Z Challenge: H is for Herbie Hancock playing the music of Joni Mitchell

These doodles are getting less and less orderly, I guess that is OK. In the midst of our H jazz, I chose Herbie Hancock. Such a lovely tribute to Joni Mitchell.

Doodling to jazz, an A To Z Challenge: G ~> Benny Green: Monk's Dream

G was another tough choice, but I went with Benny Green. The plan was to do all greys, but near the end Green snuck in to the scene.

Doodling to jazz, an A To Z Challenge: F ~> Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong

 

 

So I was considering a couple other CD's for F, but then I thought that Ella and Louis could surely produce a joyful doodle. Went with my favorite complimentary colors to celebrate their duets. Here is Lets Call The Whole Thing Off.

 

Doodling to jazz, an A To Z Challenge: E ~> Eliane Elias: oye como va

So many amazing E's but decided to go south of the US border for some Latin jazz doodling with Eliane Elias and by the time this tune came upon my ears, I had caught myself from being a bit controlling and not going with the flow. Enjoy.

Doodling to jazz, an A To Z Challenge: D ~> Dave Douglas featuring the vocals of Aoife O'Donovan

Doodle by Wayne Stratz

 

Sure I could have explored the trumpet of Miles Davis, but Dave Douglas and Aoife O'Donovan visiting Be Still My Soul led me into a new doodle.

 

 

 

Doodling to jazz, an A To Z Challenge: C ~> Sharel Cassity

Doodling to the jazz of Sharel Cassity by Wayne Stratz

The letter C ~> Two colors came together this evening as I listened to Sharel Cassity play her saxophone. Here is her quintet playing live.