Helooo ~ fine summertime folk, friends and family ππβ€οΈπ§‘π§‘
“A play of words
a play of light
the longest day
the shortest night
let the madness of the world fall away today
and you and I dance around the sun” βοΈπβ¨
The Naturalz will be celebrating summer with new music and poems July 4 at 7:00 pm at the beautiful Silk Purse in West Van as part of the 2026 Jazz Waves series. Yay! tickets here: https://westvanartscouncil.ca/event-6682519
Can’t wait to show you the latest videos!
and see you on Saturday July 4th at 7 pm π―π₯³π§π½ββοΈ
I do get a little thrill! We’re not talking numbers by any means, we’re talking locations, a pleasant little journey of the mind on a rainy day is all. Amo, amas, amat, amamo, amatis, amant. There, I remembered my high school latin π
I know I know it’s a ways off and all but we can write new music and practice like mad and perhaps dream of an OPERA featuring a Sasquatch with a lisp in there somewhere as well…and why not?! Frankies will be with Holly Burke & The Naturalzon Sunday January 18th, 8 pm. tickets here: http://www.frankiesjazz.com and Valentine’s Day at the Blue Frog will be with Don Stewart and Friends. It’ll be a total blast with lots of room for solos, yes? fun fun fun, and what good company. In other news my poem-song “Love is a Traveller” will be published in the upcoming winter edition of Persimmon Magazine. Yea…it feels good to be fruitful and flute-full, despite life’s challenges. My heart and my flute Seraphina are happy. She’s always been my passport to good things. Let’s see what happens next!
At this interesting and evolving time here in Canada, I am indeed grateful for so much, the band! Kristian Alexandrov on piano, Randall Stoll, drums, Brent Gubbels on bass, Nick Apivor on vibes (that’s the full festival band) and most of all my beloved Bill Runge on saxophone. I couldn’t imagine having more compassionate and talented players to create with, or a more wonderful audience. Our colourful friends and family,my grand-cat Ishi who was lost AND found today (!) for having hands and a brain, any kind of brain, and a body that is able to dance and explore and do things I like to do. It’s so wonderful to be in touch with youand share our creativity with you!
Ishi the wise
Say…it’s not too late for a fall poem is it? there’s still some sumac out there – like this.
Flames of Sumac
The fall brushed air swirls around my face and ruffles my hair
I see runes written in the moss that grows
along the stone wall by the lagoon
There are dandelions still standing
stretching as long as they can
toward the falling green and golden light
flames of sumac
be inside it
and the wind lifts these pages ))) )))) )))))
Wishing all of you fine folks a very good festive season, and good cheer in 2026 and beyond! ππΉπ¦π°ππππΉπ·π See you at Frankies January 18thππ₯ and the Blue Frog on Valentines February 14 β€οΈβ€οΈ
hb and the Naturalz ~ the end continues...ok I borrowed that from Spinal Tap 2 π€£ – highly recommended!
Well helloo! Springtime friends and Naturals fans…You are warmly invited to come hear us http://www.frankiesjazz.ca in a refreshing new way! that’s right! NEW and IMPROVED! (as they say – lol) You must be curious? I know I am…freshness is exciting, so is poetry. I’m having my first poem published this fall in Persimmon, an online magazine, so happy to say, and an honor for sure. In fact, we’ll be performing the poem/lyric/song ‘Love is a Traveller’ on Saturday June the 7th, LIVE and IN PERSON. Tingle-time!
Β
I encourage you to beat the rush and book your reservations SOON for Saturday night June 7 at FRANKIES ~ our favourite downtown Vancouver jazz club. Here’s Bill Runge ~ one of the best saxophone players in Canada and a true legend in Vancouver. The ubiquitous Andre Lachance will be joining us on bass, Magick Kristian Alexandrov on piano, and master drummer Randall Stoll. What a bouquet of wonderment, yes? YES! superlatives fall short of the experience…
The Magick Kristian Alexandrov himself.Randall Stoll’s Zen and the Art of Drumming.
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“Music can be made anywhere, is invisible, and does not smell.” W.H Auden
Composing is like making love to the future. Lukas Foss – NY Post
I think the main thing a musician would like to do is give a picture to the listener of the many wonderful things he knows of and senses in the universe.John Coltrane
I’m not online, Β Β Β Β I’m not offline, Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β I’m between the lines…
I’ll try to do better than that at my poetic maiden voyage April 1. Seriously though. Spring is going beserk without much coaxing from the weather at all. Yet there is…more light. Let’s move towards it!
I’ll be reading selections from the collection I’m working towards entitled “Travelogue.” Come on by! there will be four readers. The Montalbano Room, 8th floor. 6:30-8pm. I would leuuuv to see you there!
May you have a Spring in your step, dear reader.
The Poetess of Lost Lagoon*
*(which is not lost – it’s right there on the map!)
Hi There Wonderful People Third is a funny word now I look at it. Must be a truly ancient brit one methinks. Here I am holding the flute. amazing. next we’re in the pool. very very groovy indeed. Such great smiles! can’t wait to share the Naturals music with you again π at Vancouver’s premier Jazz Club, Frankies! and warm Season’s Greetings to all πππ²β¨ππ
It feels so amazing to be singing and playing again! I mean what’s ten years between friends? I hope this wee note finds you well and happy and full of mischief! We’re alive! and happy to be so. There’s going to be a great outpouringof beautiful Naturals music at our much anticipated reunion Concert Friday January 3rd 8 pm at Frankie’s Premiere Jazz Club 755 Beatty St. Please do join us for this exciting concert and groove to our greatest hits (visualize scrolling titles here with deep male voice-over- lol) thrill to “Serengeti” drift away with “River of Stars” be warmed by “Let me Stand Next to your Fire” as well as gorgeous and tuneful new material as well. Get your tickets β‘οΈ here β¬ οΈ for a passionate night of musical magic and mystery with the Naturals!
me actually singing
Bill Runge – saxophones and inspiration ππ±π«π
Randall Stoll – drums and heartbeat π₯ ba-doom ba-doom
Kristian Alexandrov – piano – our magic sorcerer – ha!π₯πͺοΈ
Brent Gubbels –bass – holding it all down β¬οΈ and π
Nick Apivor – good vibes and percussion
Holly Burke – voice and flute – so very delighted to participateποΈπͺ
So let’s be together and wish each other a very happy New Year and beyond ))) )))) ))))) ππ£πποΈπ΄ hb and los naturales sending out love to all but especially you ππ»π pass it along π and see you there!
Hello Flute Fans! I’ll be playing in the Main Hall of the West Vancouver Memorial library from 2-3 pm. this Monday December 18, that is. Come and browse and flip magazine pages while I pour my heart out flute-wise…
It’s not set up for a Concert – more for a pleasant flute hang. Very casual and a bit of a scholarly vibe you know…lovely!
You’re invited! and a Merry ’tis the Season to All!
Holly Burke Music & Poetry 