"To this day, there has been no one near as funky" -- Rapper Chuck D of Public Enemy
Monday, December 25, 2006
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Gordon DeBroder
I lost a dear friend this week. Dr. Gordon DeBroder was my music teacher and voice coach after high school and during college. He became a close family friend until his death on Monday after a long illness.
Gordon was a real character. I've never met anyone quite like him. He was vastly intelligent, extremely well educated (he held Master's degrees in Music and Psychology, and a PhD in Mathematics), was wickedly funny, and generous to a fault. Gordon must have given thousands of dollars over the years to friends in need. He was extremely kind-hearted.
I learned so much from Gordon, not only about music but about life as well. He was quite a mentor to me at a time when my family was breaking up and I really needed some guidance. I could always depend on Gordon for a sympathetic ear and a warm meal. We drank a few gallons of wine over the years as well!
Gordon DeBroder had friends and colleagues all over the world. Although he ran a humble piano and voice studio from his home, he was a world-class pianist who counted the great Van Cliburn among his closest associates. Gordon was always proud to receive a gift basket from Mr. Cliburn every Christmas.
Dr. DeBroder and his friend Van Cliburn
A teacher for many years, Gordon ran into to friends and former students in the oddest places. He told me many stories of traveling in Europe when he would be getting out of an elevator and suddenly an old student happened to be standing right in front of him. No matter where he went, somebody always knew him.
He also taught generations of families. It was not unusual for his younger students to grow up, start families, and have their children also take lessons from Gordon.
Gordon was a devout Christian and was deeply involved in his church. He often taught his music students on "scholarship" if they would sing in his church choir. I was one of those "scholarship" students and he never charged me a dime for all the lessons he gave me. It broke his heart when his church took away his work as Music Minister after 40 years of service. They wanted someone younger to fill his shoes. Good luck with that, you morons!
Goodbye, Gordon. Everyone who ever knew you, loved you. You will always be missed, but never forgotten.
Denver Post Obituary
Gordon was a real character. I've never met anyone quite like him. He was vastly intelligent, extremely well educated (he held Master's degrees in Music and Psychology, and a PhD in Mathematics), was wickedly funny, and generous to a fault. Gordon must have given thousands of dollars over the years to friends in need. He was extremely kind-hearted.
I learned so much from Gordon, not only about music but about life as well. He was quite a mentor to me at a time when my family was breaking up and I really needed some guidance. I could always depend on Gordon for a sympathetic ear and a warm meal. We drank a few gallons of wine over the years as well!
Gordon DeBroder had friends and colleagues all over the world. Although he ran a humble piano and voice studio from his home, he was a world-class pianist who counted the great Van Cliburn among his closest associates. Gordon was always proud to receive a gift basket from Mr. Cliburn every Christmas.
Dr. DeBroder and his friend Van Cliburn
A teacher for many years, Gordon ran into to friends and former students in the oddest places. He told me many stories of traveling in Europe when he would be getting out of an elevator and suddenly an old student happened to be standing right in front of him. No matter where he went, somebody always knew him.
He also taught generations of families. It was not unusual for his younger students to grow up, start families, and have their children also take lessons from Gordon.
Gordon was a devout Christian and was deeply involved in his church. He often taught his music students on "scholarship" if they would sing in his church choir. I was one of those "scholarship" students and he never charged me a dime for all the lessons he gave me. It broke his heart when his church took away his work as Music Minister after 40 years of service. They wanted someone younger to fill his shoes. Good luck with that, you morons!
Goodbye, Gordon. Everyone who ever knew you, loved you. You will always be missed, but never forgotten.
Denver Post Obituary
DREAMGIRLS
Coming soon to a theater near you! Check out this year's Best Picture Oscar front-runner. It's a really entertaining film. I got to see an advance screening in Hollywood (for free!) and I enjoyed it a lot.
This film will be nominated in all categories: acting, costumes, music, directing, production design, etc. I don't see anything else on the horizon with as much broad appeal as DREAMGIRLS, so Oscar may shine his golden light all over this movie.
As Deena, Beyonce looks beautiful as always and she undergoes a dramatic transformation from an innocent teenage girl into a glamorous, sophisticated diva. Jamie Foxx does a fine job as Curtis, the manager of the Dreams. He has a very nice singing voice too. Eddie Murphy again demonstrates the breadth of his talent as the has-been James "Thunder" Early, and all the ensemble players are excellent.
But it is American Idol alum Jennifer Hudson who steals the show with a heartbreaking and star-making performance as Effie. Regardless of Simon Cowell's opinion, this girl can sing! Look for Hudson to collect a shelf full of awards this season.
Go see Dreamgirls! It's definitely the film of the year.
Woody Allen's Jazz Band
Had a rare opportunity to see Woody Allen perform at Royce Hall with his New Orleans Jazz Band. Woody's famously been playing clarinet in the band for years in New York. Very rarely do they go on tour so I jumped at the chance to see them, especially since the concert fell on my birthday weekend!
My pal Heidi joined me and we had a great time. The Wood-man is no Benny Goodman, but he can hold his own in the seven-piece ensemble. If you like old-school Dixie-land jazz, then check out this group if you get a chance!
My pal Heidi joined me and we had a great time. The Wood-man is no Benny Goodman, but he can hold his own in the seven-piece ensemble. If you like old-school Dixie-land jazz, then check out this group if you get a chance!
Thursday, December 14, 2006
What the Hell Happened to Christianity?
"So when did the focus of Christianity shift from the unconditional love and acceptance preached by Christ to the hate and condemnation spewed forth by certain groups today?"
Interesting commentary by "punk" minister Jay Bakker, prodigal son of Jim and Tammy Faye.
CNN.com: What the hell happened to Christianity?
Interesting commentary by "punk" minister Jay Bakker, prodigal son of Jim and Tammy Faye.
CNN.com: What the hell happened to Christianity?
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Baby, It's Cold Outside!
I was just about to blog about how cold it is in California this week when I happened upon my friend Heidi's blog about exactly the same subject! Guess it's on everybody's mind.
Anyway, I laughed so hard reading her blog because it was like reading my very own thoughts on the matter, so I suggest you read Heidi's blog and have a quick laugh!
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