bentenlaughing

Jan.s: Jessica, I've known you since you were a young girl; wise and witty beyond your years! Your family is steeped in Opera/Theatre and you've not surprisingly taken to the boards. Tell me what you're up to? Jessica: Since the time when we lived together in that beautiful house in Chatswood much has happened. My path into the theatre world was fairly inevitable. As much as I tried in my youth to persuade myself and my family that I’d be happy collecting the toll on the Harbour Bridge, or becoming an accountant, or a beach bum, the theatre lured me back in. It took until I was 23, after a few years of trying unsuccessfully to get into Australian drama schools and generally wasting time, to make the decision to travel to London and audition for the numerous quality schools over here. This was initiated by my Mother Beverly who was in London at the time and sent me the application packets. I was loathe to leave Australia, after only having made it back there after complet...

Jan.s: Your partner, accomplished pianist/composer Egil Kapstad provides a solid and seamless basis for your vocals. His arrangements/orchestrations support the nuances of your voice.  Tell me about the process you both might enter into preceding a recording or occasion, for example the Prague recordings. Hilde: Egil is a word freak himself and he never writes a music arrangement until he’s read the lyrics. And after he has read it he’s focusing on telling the same story as the singer; both in the arrangement, his own fills etc. About the Prague-recording: First I had to find the songs, and then the right keys. The key is not only the key I feel is right for my voice, but it’s a question about color. Every key has its own color and I always have to find the right one for the story I want to tell from the lyrics. When that is done Egil starts to work with the arrangement, instrumentation and orchestration. He’s not afraid of telling a plain, a complex or a straight...

My friend, sports masseuse par excellence, Henry Broda has just informed that their clinic can be reached on the following urls: Please visit them in the elegant Dymocks Building in Sydney. They're the best practitioner's on the block...and beyond! http://www.sydneymassagecbd.com.au/ http://www.sydneyacupuncturecbd.com.au / Stay well! Don't worry! Be happy! jan.s

I first 'met' Hilde via myspace... I can't recall just who discovered who but it was a wonderful cyber meeting! I've always loved the voice of Norwegian Jazz singer, Karin Krog and for many years Karin and I corresponded via snail mail! To my mind Hilde follows Karin's great legacy of  Norwegian Jazz singers with a  voice of subtle complexity ....beauty, warmth, intimacy, poignancy and fearless irony! Hilde has graciously allowed me an interview. I continue to learn, she is never predictable, is full of depth, generosity of spirit and self effacing good humour!   *** Jan.s : Hilde! Your voice and phrasing have an innate and completely at home Jazz sensibility. Tell me about your first jazz influences.   Hilde : My first influence was being born in to a family that loved music, especially jazz and classical music. My father played the alto sax and Bb clarinet and his heroes were jazz musicians like Lester Young, Erroll Garner etc. BUT neither my m...

Hilde is a cool Norwegian jazz artist with warmth and humour! Please visit Hilde's site, not only to hear her beautiful voice but discover the incredible array of artists that she also supports via her various sites. www. hildehefte .no Hilde and her partner, Egil Kapstad, together have created the most wonderful CD's. Here's one of that you will love created in 2007. Hilde Hefte and The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra To learn more about Egil and his incredible musical background, as a composer, and accompanist please visit his site: http://www.egilkapstad.no/ Wishing you happy listening. jan.s

Here is a photo I took a few months back of two of my favourite people on the planet, Henry Broda and Nabih Moussa. Both are dedicated alternative healers who have played a major role in my journey of recovery from breast cancer. As you can see they like nothing better than a good coffee! Please visit their clinic: http://www.1forhealth.com.au/ Much good cheer to all. jan.s

I've just had the great pleasure of giving a workshop on Performance Techniques for seven young singers at the Waratah School of Music, Katoomba, NSW. The gracious hosts, Tracey and Phil Campbell, have created an elegant setting conducive for in depth workshops. The added bonus of having their dog Teddy on board and Tracey's especially yummy home baked cookies made it an wonderful day for all. I found all of the participants truly inspiring . Thank you. Please take a look at their fantastic school http://waratahschoolofmusic.com/Home.html A Summer School is also on it's way. Much good cheer to all. jan.s