March 2014: Presenting the music of Alec Wilder

MARCH 3

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and sorry i could not submit both blurbs!"

Here are two versions of my copy for the Wilder concerts. I tend to linger long haggling over what way to put these things - and only to click "send" with restless resignation as a deadline threatens to turn into a landmine. I reckon here is where i don't have to choose so here are my two blurbs! I think both say something slightly different about the man and artist that is/was Alec Wilder..... something that I think is a bit important to put out there about him and his work......

Dear World,  Emilie Conway sings Alec Wilder
The Emilie Conway Quintet bring to life the music of Alec Wilder

Alec Wilder (1907-1980), set his music into the world as lightly as blowing bubbles even though his music was as essential to him as the breath of life itself. Largely self taught, music was Wilder’s lifelong obsession and dedication and he wrote diversely from songs to sonatas of haunting simplicity, humour and warmth that reveal an intelligent, sensitive mind fascinated by life. Ever the incorruptible free spirit, he couldn’t do the kinds of things it would take for his music to become popular though singers like Tony Bennett, Peggy Lee and Frank Sinatra who loved and recorded many of his song including Crazy in the Heart, Trouble is a Man, Blackberry Winter, and I’ll Be Around.

The ballad, I’ll Be Around, first drew jazz singer Emilie Conway’s attention to Wilder’s music so much so that she recorded it on her debut album The Secret of a Rose which she released last year in a tour that was very warmly received. She has presented projects on Billie Holiday, Elis Regina and Abbey Lincoln. She now presents “Dear World” Emilie Conway Sings Alec Wilder together with Johnny Taylor (piano), Damian Evans (bass) and Dominic Mullan (drums) with the outstanding Brendan Doyle (saxophones)

"Dear World," Emilie Conway Sings Alec Wilder

"I’m concerned with the miracle of life in all of it’s incredible forms.  I’ll stop for a spider, a bird, a tree, a flower, a child, a book, a storm, a sound, a scent, a smile." - Alec Wilder, (1907-1980)

Dazzling Dublin jazz singer Emilie Conway and her quintet bring to life the music of the enigmatic Alec Wilder: sassy swing tunes to ballads of haunting simplicity, beauty, humour, and warmth, brimming with Wilder's fascination with life.

Wilder's music always had an originality that attracted singers Tony Bennett, Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, and Billie Holiday.  It was the purity of his tender ballad "I'll Be Around," recorded by Billie Holiday, that first drew Emilie's attention to this composer, so much so it became a featured song on her recently released critically acclaimed debut album, "The Secret of a Rose." 

Alec Wilder was born in Rochester, New York but made his home in New York City at the famous Algonquin Hotel. Though largely a self-taught composer, he studied composition and counterpoint at the Eastman School of Music.  Wilder’s music is a blend of American musical traditions: jazz and the American popular song, and “classical” European forms and techniques that totally resists labelling. He wrote, prolifically and diversely, from songs to sonatas, of remarkable originality, humour and warmth that reveal an intelligent, sensitive mind fascinated by life.

 An award winning singer, Emilie has previously presented projects on Billie Holiday, Elis Regina and Abbey Lincoln. Her quintet is comprised of some of Ireland’s finest jazz musicians: Johnny Taylor, piano; Damian Evans, double bass; Dominic Mullan, drums; and  Brendan Doyle, saxophones.