(watch the livestream via button link below)
View this blog as a Mail Chimp newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/79ac6852758e/july-enews-midsummer-tre-kronor-july-18-peter-swenson-artist-rescue-award-more )
Jamie’s July News: Midsummer
- Note from Jamie: Family News, Artist Grant Award
- SongNotes features Peter Swenson
- Tre Kronor, Woman Owned Business for July
- Roots in Ireland Project update
- Jamie & the Rogues Livestream ink
- More concerts: 7/18, 9/12, 10/2 & 11/6
- Available again for a limited time, via my site:
Gift of the Magi, The Way the Heart is Sculpted
A Note from Jamie
Ah, Midsummer
This month’s enews is all good! The concert fundraiser with the Rogues was fun and brought old friends together. My grandchildren danced! We livestreamed the Rogues set, and it is on my Facebook page.
I received word last week, I am a recipient of an Artist Rescue Trust grant. For self-employed artists like me, who do not qualify for most federal pandemic-aid programs, this is a lifeline. The grant, the steady concert schedule is getting me by. The donors to the Roots project is making it possible to archive, sort, write, videotape, and design this extensive cultural arts effort. Thank you!
In addition to this July Enews talking about the Tre Kronor Swedish Bistro gig, my monthly feature SongNotes Series for July features Peter Swenson’s CD Steadfast. Peter, (Swedish on his father’s side. Irish on his Mom’s), is a lifelong friend and collaborator. Please read the full essay I wrote about this gorgeous recording, and the many gifts of my friend.
Lastly, on the homefront, I am delighted Meg and Alex and Olive and Cosmo have completed their move to a 1950s ranch home with a big enclosed yard, bordering one of Chicago’s lovely river parks. Community and family support — all grandparents on deck — and Meg and Alex’s own skills and determination have quickly made this sweet new home. (And future outside family concert space!)
Enjoy the sunshine!
Jamie
SongNotes: The Steadfast Peter Swenson
In the realm of the guitar
Like the phone call you make when you need to give a loved one your all, first listens to recordings by friends require a special kind of attention. When the musician is also the composer, this listener is even more engaged. I want to be present not only to what I’m hearing but to the ideas, effort and intention behind the music.
On a particularly blue Monday, I put Peter Swenson’s Steadfast CD album on in my car stereo and took a drive. I was immediately transported to an achingly familiar place by the opening track “First Light”, the sting of heartbreak and complications of youthful longing awash in my head. A fragment of the piece appeared on the 1993 recording The Way the Heart is Sculpted, on which I’d performed.
But movement of the melody, supported by chord choices idiomatic of a masterful musician, all tenderly realized with adroit fingerings on the guitar, pulled at more than heartstrings. For me, this was history. This was Peter.
Plese read the full essay here on Jamie’s Blog
https://www.jamieoreilly.com/songnotes-the-steadfast-peter-swenson/
Så skimrande var aldrig havet
(Song for Tre Kronor Midsummer)
The harbor never shown so brightly
The shore never looked so clear to me
Fields, grassy meadows and woodlands
never before held such beauty
And the fragrance of blossoms
was never so lovely
As when you walked by my side
That afternoon, into the sunset
When your hair hid me from the world
And you drank all of the sorrow in me
With our first kiss.
Jamie O’Reilly’s Roots 2020 in Ireland project supports woman owned businesses and artisans. May was Iwona Biedermann & Dreambox Foto, June was Vicky Blanas & Lawrence Dean’s Bakery.
July is Tre Kronor Swedish Bistro and its sister store Sweden Shop.
*****
Tre Kronor Owner Patty Rasmussen (who is half Irish and half Norwegian, and one of 10 children), and husband Larry are hosting us for the Roots in the Garden Series Mid summer Soiree! This is an evening concert in the lovely garden — where nasturtiums and herbs grow among the cosmos.
John Erickson and I will perform a selection of jazzy and old world classic songs, and folktunes, including some Swedish gems. Patty has designed a special menu of light Scandinavian fare, including Swedish meatballs, hummus and herring, homemade breads and desserts with fresh berries and cream!
The event is almost sold-out! So make a reservation here now. https://www.jamieoreilly.com/events/2021-07-18/
Tre Kronor Swedish Bistro & The Sweden Shop
3258 W. Foster Ave.
Chicago IL 60625
http://swedishbistro.com/
Upcoming Concerts
Jamie O’Reilly, vocals
John Erickson, piano
See “Events” pages for tickets
Sun July 18 at 7 PM
Midsummer Soiree
Tre Kronor Swedish Bistro
North Park, Chicago
https://www.jamieoreilly.com/events/2021-07-18/
Sun Sep12 at 4 PM
Summer’s End Concert
On Pratt Blvd
Rogers Park, Chicago
https://www.jamieoreilly.com/events/jamie-oreilly-summers-end-concert-sept-12-rogers-park/
Sat Oct. 2 at 7 PM
In Old Chicago show
Givens Castle
Beverly, Chicago
Special guest Judi Cogan Heikes
https://www.jamieoreilly.com/events/jamie-in-old-chicago-at-givens-castle/
Sat Nov 6 at 7 PM
Roots in Ireland
Fundraiser Fête & Concert
Chief O’Neill’s Pub & Restaurant
Albany Park, Chicago
https://www.jamieoreilly.com/events/2021-11-06/
Do you want to host a concert?
Contact Jamie
jamie@jamieoreilly.com
The Roots in Ireland Project is expanding. I’ve archived old music, gathered and laminated a career’s worth of posters, worked with new artists, and fundraised, as we develop an exciting series of events. This month’s woman owned business was Lawrence Deans’ Bakery in Wilmette, IL Co-owners Vicky and Larry Blanas. Our artisan was Judy Floeter, who qulted a “topper” for the raffle.
Thank you to last month’s Roots in the Garden hosts Judy & John Floeter. To Lawrence Dean’s Bakery, Eugene,Tammy & Phil O’Reilly, Lauri Halma Swenson, Judi Heikes, Anne Hills, Dan and Nancy Floeter. And The Rogues!
Copyright ©2021
Jamie O’Reilly
J. O’Reilly Productions, All rights reserved.
Photography credits:
Rogues pic, Eugene O’Reilly
Family pic Ben Amandes
Peter Swenson Steadfast images, Chehalis Deane Hegner
(seen on July e-newsletter and SongNotes blog)
Peter with guitar – archived
