Tea à Tempo

Suzanne Gay (pianist and vocalist) and Hannah Brown (vocalist and story teller) are excited to present songs of Billie Holiday in concert at Tea à Tempo on Wesnesday, May 03 at All Saints by-the Sea Anglican Church in downtown Ganges.  They are thrilled that saxophonist, composer and bandleader Monik Nordine will join them and share her talent that has made her an international artist.  

It’s been said that Billie has had an impact on every genre of music.  So many singers credit their love of Billie’s singing for their inspiration...Frank Sinatra, Janis Joplin, Joni Mitchell, Nina Simone, to name only a few.  Her phrasing, even as she lost her voice to alcohol and drugs, was always impeccable and gave such deep meaning to the words.  

Billie lived a very short life, dying at the young age of 44.  Her first recording was, believe it or not, at age 18 when she sang on vinyl Your Mother’s Son-in-law and Riffin' the Scotch with Benny Goodman and his orchestra.  During the next 26 years, she recorded over 300 songs, 11 of which she wrote collaboratively with Arthur Herzog, Mal Waldron, Jeanne Burns or Herbie Nichols.  Three of these will be a part of the programme.  

The Billie Holiday songs chosen will be from all of the eras of Billie's life, starting with her early years in the 1930’s and 40’s, finishing in the middle 50’s, just a couple of years before she died.  We hope you will enjoy the stories behind these songs, as well as hearing about the people who were part of her life.  Many of the names will be very familiar to you…names like Lester Young, John Hammond, Louis Armstrong and Artie Shaw.  We have many stories to share with you…we love Billie and look forward to enjoying her music with you.  

Concert begins at 2:10pm.  Donations provide the honoraria for performers and contribute to the running of the Tea à Tempo series.   

Tea and Treats, for $4.00, will be served immediately following the concert in the hall overlooking Ganges Harbour.  

So bring a friend or visitor to the Island, be treated to a lifetime of Billie Holiday songs, and then have a delicious treat afterwards.   Food, friends, and music! What more could you ask for? Hope to see you there.  

The Music Makers