Volume XII, 2021
Why Deals Don't Buy Happiness
Dear Friends

At this time I should have been in Austria, but events were changed and cancelled - again. However, thanks to virtual connections I still got to teach the Austrian students AND spend Thanksgiving with the family. We ate and laughed and played games. Instead of shopping all the popular department store deals on Friday, Jasmin and myself went to the music store and she got a pink Fender jazz bass and amp - why? Because making music together creates lasting experiences and happiness - things don't.
The recent Sheroes tour definitely created lasting memories, thank you to everyone who joined us and made it possible! Here is a review of the Kennett Flash concert and click on this link to enjoy a complete show. Let's do it again in May in Europe!

Exciting news - we'll be in the studio in December recording the Joni Mitchell project with Janiece Jaffe, Greg Ward, Jeremy Allen, Cassius Goens, Peter Kienle and guests. The group will also present the arrangements in progress in Bloomington, Indianapolis, and South Bend - see performance schedule below, not to be missed!

The holiday season is upon us - the Carmel Christkindlmarkt is open this year (while the traditional markets in Germany and Austria are cancelled!), and we'll present some music and sing-alongs (see schedule). Jazzin' Around the Christmas Tree is back with piano music, trivia, and sing-alongs at the IU Alumni Center, presented by IU Lifelong Learning on December 2, 6pm, signup info here. We are happy to entertain for special holiday events, send me a note with your details. Please add the Peace on Earth album to your favorite holiday playlist, and anything from the web store can be autographed to the special recipient.

Warm wishes for an uplifting conclusion of this difficult year - we all need it! Hope to see and hear from many of you this December - send me a note and let me know how you're doing.

Monika
CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE
"A Charlie Brown Christmas" (1965)
(Vince Guaraldi / Lee Mendelson)

Christmas time is here
Happiness and cheer
Fun for all that children call
Their favorite time of year

Snowflakes in the air
Carols everywhere
Olden times and ancient rhymes
Of love and dreams to share

Sleigh bells in the air
Beauty everywhere
Yuletide by the fireside
And joyful memories there
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

Thursday, December 2, 6-7:30pm Jazzin' Around the Christmas Tree, IU Life Long Learning Registration, Alumni Center

Friday, December 3, 5-5:45pm, Christkindlmarkt Carmel

Friday, December 3, 8-11pm, Hyde Park Steakhouse Indy with Janiece Jaffe

Saturday, December 4, 8-8:45, Christkindlmarkt Carmel Singalong

THE WORLD OF JONI MITCHELL
featuring Janiece Jaffe, Greg Ward, Cassius Goens and more
Wednesday, December 15, 7/8:30pm Blockhouse Bar Bloomington
Friday, December 17, 7pm, Merriman's Playhouse, South Bend
Saturday, December 18, 9pm-midnight, Chatterbox, Indianapolis

Thursday, December 23, 3-3:45pm, Christkindlmarkt Carmel, Duo

January 5-8, JEN Conference, Dallas
Talking Jazz - conversations and guided listening with today's leading jazz artists - can now be heard every Thursday 11am and Monday 7pm on WETF 105.7 South Bend, IN, Fridays 8pm on WICR, Indianapolis, IN. Many episodes are also available on youtube and my website - subscribe to my channel for weekly episode updates. Upcoming episodes include Chuck Owen, Aubrey Johnson, Alexandra Lehmler, Greg Yasinitsky and more! Radio friends - let me know if you'd like to broadcast some of the episodes!
Volume 2 of Jazz Education in Research and Practice is now available! JAZZ is a new journal with a variety of peer-reviewed articles exploring different aspects of jazz as an art form. Subscriptions or single copies can be ordered here. All full JEN members now have access to a digital copy here, after signing into the website.