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"Leslie Lewis et Gérard Hagen" 10 Décembre 2018 Bonjour de Paris

Bonjour de Paris ...

Chers Amis,

We are happy to be home in Paris after doing six days on the road. We performed as a quartet, trio and duo which kept things fresh every night. While the audiences were great all week long, I must say that Leslie had something to do with that. Her energy level and her emotional range were unbelievable. Every night she brought them to their feet. It was interesting because we only played one jazz club, the other rooms were in hotels and restaurants that had decided to feature music as a way to distinguish their businesses. They all did what was necessary to showcase the band including having a stage, lights, sound systems and, with one exception, very good pianos. This makes a huge difference in the success of the performances which helps tremendously to bring in listeners.
Photos from our quartet and duo concerts at the Hip Jazz Club, Imperial Palace in Annecy, FR.
Poster for our concerts and photos from the Gourmet Bar in Lyon. 
Photos from Jazz Club Torino, Italy.  Gerard at sound check, audience before the show, the staff at the club were great to work with, and the Hotel at 2:00 am.
Last month I really enjoyed the opportunity to play in trio at Bab-ilo.  We had a very good night but I must admit that it was a little difficult to make the transition from accompanist for Leslie to leading a trio again.  I realize that it has been over six years since I did a trio date and I doubt that the audience was aware, but I am constantly dealing with the inner workings of making music. We were invited back in February so it looks like I'll be able to add trio playing to my musical life on a more regular basis!  Meanwhile Leslie enjoyed a weekend working with Philippe Martel's trio in Geneva, Switzerland.
Leslie's photos traveling to Geneva.
 
Kristin Marion and Philippe Martel, two wonderful artists in their own right, have done an incredible amount of work to make this week of concerts possible for us.  We are very grateful  to them for everything. Sharing lunch together at "The American Diner" in Sillingy, France was just one of many good memories we have with them.
 

At the last minute we decided to make Thanksgiving dinner with Peter and Nicole Giron. It was the first time since moving to Paris that we celebrated with a real Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving day. It was so much fun to actually have the holiday, be with friends, and of course, be thankful.

Once again Leslie has worked her magic decorating our home for Christmas. We have some down time between December 23rd and the 25th and we are making plans to enjoy Christmas dinner at home and perhaps have Christmas Eve somewhere out on the town. 

 
Last month we celebrated Leslie's birthday at the beautiful home of Lois Delmas, our very good friend here in Paris. She graciously offered her home for Leslie's birthday party.  Lois made everything feel special.  We all had a blast.  Below are photos of Leslie, Sacha Boutros and Peter Giron.
Thank you to those of you who have asked about us due to the news coverage of the protests. They have caused major disruptions around the country but we have, as yet, to be affected by them. We are rarely anywhere near where they have been occurring and we have no need to be there any time soon, so for us things are as normal here as they ever have been. But we very much appreciate your concern.
  
Beginning on the 26th we end the year with a night at the Café Laurent followed by a five night run at Chez Papa Jazz Club. We begin the week as a duo, add Peter Giron on bass and finish the week as a quartet with Mourad Benhammou on drums. If you are in Paris please make plans to join us one, or more, of those nights. 

Here is our remaining December schedule.

Dec. 13th we are a duo at Chez Papa Jazz Club in Paris.  http://www.papajazzclub-paris.fr
Dec. 14-15th The Leslie Lewis Gerard Hagen Paris Trio with Peter Giron at Chez Papa Jazz Club in Paris.  http://www.papajazzclub-paris.fr
Dec. 21-22nd we are a duo at Monteverdi  http://www.lemonteverdi.com
Dec. 26th we are a duo at Café Laurent in Paris. http://www.hoteldaubusson.com/en/cafe-laurent.html
Dec. 27 we are a duo at Chez Papa Jazz Club in Paris.  http://www.papajazzclub-paris.fr
Dec. 28 - 29th The Leslie Lewis Gerard Hagen Paris Trio with Peter Giron at Chez Papa Jazz Club in Paris.  http://www.papajazzclub-paris.fr
Dec. 30 - 31st The Leslie Lewis Gerard Hagen Paris Quartet with Peter Giron and Mourad Benhammou at Chez Papa Jazz Club in Paris.  http://www.papajazzclub-paris.fr

Thank you to everyone who has already downloaded "Fragile", our new recording.  It is available as a download on CD Baby at this link.  https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/leslielewis5 

 Please check our website for news and updates. While you are there please sign up for our weekly email blast to learn where you can hear us. http://www.surfcovejazz.com

Thanks for staying in touch with us.

Until next time,  Leslie et Gerard 

Please if you have any comments feel free to contact me at <gerard@surfcovejazz.com>.  I enjoy hearing your thoughts. This email also appears on our website where you may comment as well.  http://www.surfcovejazz.com/blog/

http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/LeslieLewis

http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/GerardHagenTrio

http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/leslie-lewis/id27976719

http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/gerard-hagen-trio/id312875736
 

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