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 😉
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 Naturalz on 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 you and share our creativity with you!
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! 🎄🌹🦒🐰🌈🌟🏆🎹🎷🌎 See you at Frankies January 18th🌟💥 and the Blue Frog on Valentines February 14 ❤️❤️
hb and the Naturalz ~ the end continues...ok I borrowed that from Spinal Tap 2 🤣 – highly recommended!
*merch is available here: please do! https://hollyburkeandbillrunge.bandcamp.com/album/dreamride
https://hollyburkeandbillrunge.bandcamp.com/album/nature-girl
‘The Flute Player’ by Angela Brown
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!
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…
Andre Lachance ~ consummate bassist.
“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,
I’m not offline,
I’m between the lines…
HB 🦩
Looking forward to seeing your shining faces June 7th!
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 🙂 at Vancouver’s premier Jazz Club, Frankies! and warm Season’s Greetings to all 🎄🌟🌲✨🎄🌟
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 outpouring of 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 ➡️ here ⬅️ for a passionate night of musical magic and mystery with the Naturals!
me actually singing
Bill Runge – saxophones and inspiration 🌟🔱💫👑
Randall Stoll – drums and heartbeat 🥁 ba-doom ba-doom
Kristian Alexandrov – piano – our magic sorcerer – ha!🔥🌪️
Brent Gubbels – bass – holding it all down ⬇️ and 🆙
Nick Apivor – good vibes and percussion
Holly Burke – voice and flute – so very delighted to participate🕊️🪭
So let’s be together and wish each other a very happy New Year and beyond ))) )))) ))))) 🌟🐣🌈🕊️🌴 hb and los naturales sending out love to all but especially you 🆙🌻🐋 pass it along 🙂 and see you there!
if desired: unsubscribe with abandon!
I’m thrilled to play with my pals, @ PAL next Monday. No, this is not an April Fool’s joke! I really am PLAYING with Don’s wonderful band, wonderful colleagues from earlier times, Kerry Galloway, Miles Black, Buff Allen and Dave Say. They all played in Holly Burke and The Naturals at some point. What a cool reunion this will be! and it’s a free concert! I swear I’m not pulling your leg 😉 See you there. 6:30 pm.
581 Cardero St. 8th floor 🙂
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!
Dear Fine Folk… you are warmly invited to come on a Dream Ride with us September 4, 4pm @ St. Andrews Wesley Church in Vancouver.
Can’t believe eight years have passed since I bounced off the end of my mother’s bed and into a very different head space!
All was not lost though. Beautiful new music has come to the surface, twenty pieces for solo piano and new project called Dream Ride. Serendipitous events that have urged us forward in surprising ways, like finding baritone Pablo Romero in the forest.
Featuring Linda Lee Thomas, renowned VSO pianist, also known as the “Queen of Tango”. Dream Ride explores the Tango idiom while venturing into realms of pure lyric beauty.
St. Andrews Wesley Church (Burrard and Nelson) Vancouver. By Donation *no upward limit! free parking under the church.
Here’s a video taste of what you’re in for…
On the subject of heads…here’s another cool thing I stumbled upon in the forest.
This amazing carving known as “Twin Spirits” is just off of Rawlings trail in Stanley Park, not far from Second Beach.
The Parks Board in their greater wisdom do not “acknowledge” this remarkable creation because the artist failed to go through their application process. Hey maybe the artist didn’t know where the office was – didn’t have a computer – was living in the park? I’m just so glad this carver went ahead with their vision, their inspiration for all the people to enjoy.
Thank you, Park Banksy. Love to know who you are and meet you one day ❤️
🌈 Just look at this fantastic purple poster above! Bill and I would love to see you at the gig. It’s in Burnaby which isn’t too far for many of our wonderful friends! It’s going to be simply sensational! Hope to see you there! ❤️ H+B
P.S. Two composers walked into a church…(best ending for this joke wins a Naturals CD)
Yes, it’ll be the first public performance of Two Eagles ~1000 hours later…or is it ten thousand hours later…Bill has meticulously finished the band arrangement of ‘Two Eagles.’ Can’t wait to hear it played by Bill’s stellar band The Bill Runge Quintet. Miles Black on piano, Bernie Arai on drums, André Lachance on bass and Nick Apivor on the magical vibes. It was a full circle type of experience with this tune. It began on a cold clear February day when I spied two magnificent eagles in the large evergreen just off my building. They were there for hours…just hanging out. I went to the piano and found a figure I liked, and a couple of potential places to go and Two Eagles was born (I kept running back and forth from the piano to the window to the window to see if they were still there.) Last week, Bill was completing the full band arrangement and looked out his window to see two glorious eagles soaring around his building. “We’re not changing the name!” said Bill.
Listen to an excerpt of “Two Eagles”!
Can’t help but get a little excited about stepping out onto the new terrain of a new year. The forever hope of things being better. Things will be better, it always feels that way, even this year. So here we are sending some good vibes your way )))))
Your buddies,
Holly and Bill
I wanna tell the world how wonderful it is to have such a creative and accomplished partner! These musical flowerings are nourishing for all of us. Like my swirly leafed begonia plant…it’s been in bloom for weeks now! But plant music is tremendously quiet <PPPPP>
Bill’s new Quintet is exciting! dynamic! filled with verve! His writing is peerless and he’s chosen his musical companions well. Come and find out tonight!
Featuring a bucket list of favourite tunes from Weather Report, Steps Ahead, Don Grolnick plus some of Bill’s best original pieces from his recordings. Bernie Arai – drums, Nick Apivor – vibes/perc, Miles Hill – bass & Kristian Alexandrov – piano. Reservations recommended.
Aaaand at Frankie’s too this Saturday:
Are you the type of person that scrolls all the way to the bottom? Well here’s your reward! A sneak preview of this hot new band!
Holly Burke Music & Poetry 