JAZZ.FM91 - Canada's Premier Jazz Station

Heather Bambrick

All the right ingredients were on hand for Heather Bambrick's annual Kitchen Party yesterday - great music, lots of food, warmth and high spirits.

Moreen Murray

The hostess with the mostest, Heather welcomed guests virtually and in studio to visit with John Alcorn, Lea DeLaria, George Evans, Shirley Eikhard, Shannon Butcher and Colleen Allen on the live to air broadcast. Keeping everything flowing nicely were Artie Roth on bass and Dave Restivo on piano. Dave generously poured the lovely "What Child is This" on a solo. Heather joked that a common sentiment among musicians is that you play holiday music once a year, and then non-stop, quickly adding she herself could "sing it forever".

Coaxing stories and reminiscences out of her musical friends a la James Lipton produced childhood memories, ideal Christmas concert locations and best presents as well as recipes - more on that later. John Alcorn and Heather heated things up with their scrumptious version of "Baby It's Cold Outside" and Lea DeLaria, provided much merriment with her spot - most of which I heard from the kitchen (the JAZZ.FM91 kitchen that is, as I was partly on duty along with several of my fellow volunteers).

Not only is George Evans a top tier singer he is also a great raconteur - he learned in radio he said "it's not so much WHAT you say as HOW you say it." Did we perhaps hear people salivating out in radioland after his recipes for Bourbon Pound Cake and Hot Buttered Rum? I felt satiated with his rendition of one of favourite and most poignant songs "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas". Speaking of food, our rum cake provider himself sang a tune - both of which were very tasty.

How about some handcrafted gifts? Shirley Eikhard's "Holidays are Here" communicated childlike joy and innocence and Mel Torme's classic "A Christmas Song" was perfect for her warm, rich voice. Shannon Butcher served up her delightful concoction, "You're Getting Nothing for Christmas...But My Love". Colleen Allen unwrapped her memories of Alberta and skating, the magical, old fashioned Christmas in Hamburg and her choice for Christmas concert - the mystical Queen Charlotte Islands.

These delicious confections are a mere sampling of the afternnon's events, and all were beautifully presented, wrapped in an enormous bow. Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Heather's Kitchen Party will be rebroadcast at 12 noon on Christmas Day.