Sarah McKenzie at the Lesher Center for the Arts

Yesterday afternoon, ten residents of THD enjoyed a free concert ( courtesy of THD) to the Sarah McKenzie Jazz Concert at the Lesher Center for the Arts in downtown Walnut Creek ( see photo above). It was an afternoon of popular jazz music, and was worth more than the Ticket Price of $37.50 . My favorite piece was a special arrangement of "Embraceable You" featuring the guitar and later the piano. Besides the piano, the concert had a 5-men band ensemble consisting of the trumpet, saxophone, guitar, drums and the Base.   

A short bio of Sarah indicated she grew up in Australia and took classical piano lessons at the young age of 5. A teacher introduced her to jazz, rock and boogie-woogie when she was nine. This inspired her to pursue jazz piano and singing. 

Sarah not only plays the piano and sings but also composed and arranged songs. Her album Close Your Eyes won the 2012 ARIA Music Award for Best Jazz Album. She was also nominated for the same award in 2011 with Don't Tempt Me and in 2015 for We Could Be Lovers. We Could Be Lovers won an Australian Jazz Bell Award in 2015 for Best Australian Jazz Vocal Album.

She has won a few singing and performance awards in Australia and performed at Montreux Jazz Festival. She has several acclaimed albums, but the release of "Without You"💥 added  to her reputation as a creative jazz pianist and singer. She is now based in Los Angeles and tours internationally.  

I personally enjoyed the concert very much and it was an afternoon not wasted. Thank You THD for providing us with the free tickets and to our Chaperon, Activity Director Galen Carson as well as to our capable driver Joseph Woo. We encourage THD to provide  similar musical programs to improve the quality of life and well-being of its senior residents.   

For Complete Details on the Music and Recordings of Sarah Mckensie read: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_McKenzie

💥https://www.jazziz.com/album-of-the-week-sarah-mckenzie-without-you/

Meanwhile, here's my quote of the Day:

'Is it so small a thing to have enjoyed the sun, 

To have lived light in the spring, 

To have loved, to have thought, to have done?"

Mathew Arnold, 1822-1888, English Poet and Essayist