IT’S VERY TASTY!

a re-print from “The Record”

The most recent new program we have started producing on CIDI is called “Let’s Talk Jazz”, a weekly show featuring Warren Woodworth and Keith Misener as hosts. Both gentlemen, residents of Knowlton, are jazz aficionados and have been for most of their lives.

Painting pictures of the past and modern times, using music instead of colours, is one of the best parts of the show, second only to the enthusiasm the hosts share for their favourite melodies and improvisational performances by great artists.

When Hans Rutten, technical operations manager for CIDI, spotted a CD with a title including “classic jazz” sitting on a table at the Let’s Talk Jazz recording session last week, he asked Woodworth and Misener: “so you’re going to be playing classic jazz on your show?”

“No,” said Woodworth, “we’re going to be playing “tasty jazz.”

There is a big difference apparently. Tasty music is a personal choice and doesn’t represent all music that has been produced to date in any specific genre. It takes shape at the crossroads of musicians’ performances and creativity, representing who they are and who they want to be as human beings. The process behind making tasty music would be similar to writing a letter using carbon-copy paper, and having the replica come out looking like musical notation.

Let’s Talk Jazz is about playing what Woodworth and Misener consider to be the best jazz, the classiest jazz. It is in the ear of the beholder so to speak. They choose performances by musicians that best reflect their lives and want to share them with us. I couldn’t think of a better way for all of us to get to know each other, than to listen to each other’s music.

In a way this is the role of Radio Communautaire Missisquoi (RCM). By providing programming for all demographics in our community through CIDI, we will be able to better share each other’s aspirations. Imagine finally getting to know who we are as a community.

CIDI is the flagship project for RCM, and a beacon for the Town of Brome Lake. Where else is the town going to find a better transmitter of information and public outreach for economic development, events promotion and public service announcements?

RCM’s mission statement, Being Who We Are, implies that our community needs to be free of inhibitions. Free of the questioning and self-critical thoughts that haunt us, like ghosts in a dank closest. Why can’t we believe in who we are at this very moment?

We know there is a lot of negativity out there in the press as of late, with the slumping economy etc.. But as Woodworth points out in Let’s Talk Jazz’s latest show: “The music we play reflects happy and good times.” He knows that it will make a difference and a positive change in the way people think. Right. Music soothes, but only if it reflects human experience. As humans, we have had happy times for sure. Therefore we still can.

As RCM reaches out to its community, and to outsiders visiting our special corner of the world, it builds spirit in collaboration with other nonprofits and residents of its listening area.
Reading the horoscopes in the paper today, I saw that it was Bobby McFerrin’s birthday. He has won seven Grammy Awards in the jazz category, as well as writing the theme music for the “Cosby Show”, and is well known for using his voice as various instruments. But he is probably best known for his award winning song “Don’t worry, be happy” in 1988. I think that almost everyone has heard this song, and doesn’t it send out a positive message? It’s fun to listen to and upbeat, and haven’t most of us experienced down times when we couldn’t pay our rent on time, or had other problems. C’est la vie! So let us not become discouraged, let’s play the best we can with the hand we’ve been dealt.

This is the great message that Warren “Woody” Woodworth and Keith Misener are trying to share with us all. Playing “tasty jazz”, as they like to call it, upbeat and positive tunes, mellow music to relax to while you put your feet up and just enjoy the best that the world of jazz has to offer. Perhaps introduce some people to something they’ve never heard before, or remind others of favourite artists and songs they haven’t heard played in ages. It’s all good, it’s all positive, and extremely enjoyable.

I would also like to mention that several years ago, I had the pleasure of producing a CD in collaboration with John Cameron for Woodworth called “344 Centre Road”, a memento for his family and friends, featuring Woody himself on the piano. Hope he plays some selections from that CD on one of his shows.

If you are able to pick up CIDI in your area, please check out this show, and let them know what you think by calling the station. I’m sure they would welcome your suggestions and be only to happy to play your favourite tune, as long as it’s “tasty”.

They are being who they are on CIDI 99.1 fm and waiting to hear from their listening audience.

Once again we invite you to participate in a great new beginning. Help build a great community by calling 1-888-539-2098 or 450-242-9873. Become a member and volunteer. Come and express yourself, make some new friends, and most of all, it’s really a lot of fun!

By Maurice and Tanya Singfield whom are RCM volunteers. Maurice also writes a column in the “TALK” section of the Sherbrooke Record.

Tags: classic jazz, Keith Misener, Knowlton, Let’s Talk Jazz, tasty jazz, Warren Woodworth