My latest song is a tribute to both the grandeur of nature found in Algonquin Park, Ontario, and to David ‘Huey’Hayman (1979 – 2020) author of the poem ‘Ode to Algonquin’, written when he a young man working in the park.
Inspired by David’s words, I created the lyrics and Mark Kieswetter composed this rich and beautiful arrangement.
LYRICS/MUSIC:
DONNA GREENBERG
ARRANGEMENT:
MARK KIESWETTER
RELEASE DATE:
MARCH 14, 2021
Algonquin Lyrics
The soft silence of the sundown breeze.
The clouds sit somber beyond the distant trees.
Wind sways softly upon my weary head
As the evening glow casts a fiery red.
Algonquin, Algonquin,
Wondrous sight, this wondrous light!
Algonquin, Algonquin,
Where true beauty lies.
I take the time to absorb the night.
To appreciate this wondrous sight.
I sit alone as the day slowly dies
In nature where the true beauty lies.
Algonquin, Algonquin,
Wondrous sight, this wondrous night!
Algonquin, Algonquin,
Where true beauty lies.
Interview with R&B Rhythms, Las Vegas, April 7, 2017
Transcript of interview by R&B Rhythms, Las Vegas, April 7, 2017. The transcript was posted on the R&B Rhythms website.
R&B Rhythms is here with Donna Greenberg, how’s it going?
It’s going really well thanks. Hope it’s the same for you.
I am delighted to be on your show!
Tell me a little bit about how you got your start in music and who are some of your musical influences.
I’ve been singing and writing songs for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a music-loving family. Tastes and record collections were very eclectic: jazz, opera, Broadway, classical and pop. This led me to study music seriously – voice, piano and theory while I continued to write my own songs.
Musical influences:
Basically, I have been strongly influenced by the creators and interpreters of the great American Songbook.
Singers: Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Chet Baker.
Songwriters: Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Stephen Sondheim and so many more of both categories.
Do you have any upcoming albums getting ready to release?
Yes, my new CD (which will be released later this month) is something completely different. “The Love of Songs of James Joyce” is a “song cycle” set to poems from CHAMBER MUSIC (1907), an early poetry collection by the famous Irish writer James Joyce (1882-1941). It’s a story of unrequited love, with original music composed by yours truly and arranged by pianist/arranger extraordinaire Mark Kieswetter.
We have tried to remain true to the purity, beauty and subtlety of the language and imagery of James Joyce’s beautiful love poems.
The style is jazz with a Celtic twist and a pinch of classical! Each song has been carefully arranged for different instruments to bring out its unique qualities and yet connect it to the overall arc of the cycle. Superb performances by some of Canada’s finest musicians: Mark Kieswetter on piano, keys, percussion and celeste, Jordan O’Connor on bass, Drew Jurecka on violin and clarinet, Melissa Scott on oboe, Kiki Misumi on cello, Tom Skublics on flute and tin whistle, Sharlene Wallace on harp and of course, I, Donna Greenberg, am on vocals.
Do you have any more upcoming videos?
I have a youtube channel for Donna Greenberg Music and yes, I am in the process of working on a few new music videos of my songs.
What are your current thoughts on the music industry?
I think this is a great time and opportunity for the Indie artist to share their music. There’s so much more personal freedom for the musical artist to create original music and covers, with more new and varied ways to reach people besides the traditional routes.
The internet helps artists like myself connect with people everywhere – it’s a fantastic tool. Social media also helps to get the music out there.
Stations like R&B Rhythms are absolutely essential for Indie artists like myself especially in the jazz world where it’s an even smaller niche group.
The future of the music industry seems to be online.
What is currently playing on your playlist musically?
Ella Fitzgerald, Irene Kral, Helen Merrill, Chet Baker, Miles Davis, Bill Evans….
Do you have any shows or tour dates?
Busy writing new songs and promoting these two CDs but I will be lining up jazz gigs soon.
I’ll be performing the “Love Songs of James Joyce” at the Diasporic Joyce” conference in Toronto in June for those James Joyce lovers.
Appreciate the interview, any last words or shout outs?
Thanks again for having me on your show, Demarcus, it’s been a pleasure.
Hope folks out there enjoy my music and the Reflections video on youtube!
My CDs are all available to buy in hard copy and digitally on my website http://www.donnagreenberg.com Have a great, music-loving day and thanks for listening!
Best Music Video Nomination at The Cutting Edge International Film Festival 2017
Mindfield Film Festival 2017 (USA): Best Music Video December 2017 Gold Award) & Direct Monthly Online Film Festival December 2017: Official Selection (USA)
CD Stuck on You is NOW OUT!
I’m thrilled to announce the launch of my newest and fifth CD Stuck on You, an all-jazz album with nine originals by me and arranged for jazz trio by Mark Kieswetter,
These pieces are performed by Mark himself on piano, Jordan O’Connor on bass, Ben Riley on drums and of course vocals sung by me.
“Don’t Try to Change My Mind” Music Video can NOW be viewed online!
As part of the launch of my newest CD Stuck on You, I’ve released a visually splendid video of “Don’t Try to Change My Mind”, one of the tracks from this album.
Thrilled to announce my music videos: Stranger (music video) was awarded Official Selection at The Direct Monthly Online Film Festival 2018, Living on the Outside won WINNER Award of Recognition at The Best Shorts Competition 2018 and was awarded Official Selection at The Direct Monthly Online Film Festival 2018 as well as The Twilight (music video) was awarded Official Selection at The Direct Monthly Online Film Festival 2018.
Donna discusses how she came to write her song “You’re My Summer Peach” and why she and arranger Jordan Klapman decided to record the song in a nostalgic style, featuring Louis Armstrong impersonator Jon Seiger. This interview was filmed at The Trane jazz club in Toronto.
WINNER Award of Recognition at The Best Shorts Competition 2018. Official Selection at The Direct Monthly Online Film Festival 2018.
“Not me, I’m lost, almost invisible….”
Alienation, loneliness, angst – “Living on the Outside”, a music video that gives voice to existential despair. This song is from the CD “Song in the Wind” (2012, Toronto).
Donna Greenberg lyrics/music, vocals, Jordan Klapman harmonization/arrangement, piano, Drew Jurecka string arrangement, violin, viola & clarinet, Ross McIntyre bass, and Glenn Anderson drums. Director/Producer: Donna Greenberg, Assistant Director: Edmund Fairfax and Video: David Rawlings.
Donna Greenberg is interviewed on this weekend’s episode of CTS Weekender on Saturday night at 8:00pm. She discusses her upcoming one woman show, BURNT …and toasted, premiering at this year’s Toronto Fringe Festival.
Direct Monthly Online Film Festival December 2017: Official Selection (USA) & Mindfield Film Festival 2017 (USA): Official Selection
Sweet, flirtatious & fun – an upbeat swing song great to dance to!
A music video to an original song with lyrics & music by Donna Greenberg & Jordan Klapman from her newest jazz CD Stuck on You (2017). Sung by Donna Greenberg with Mark Kieswetter (arrangement/piano), Jordan O’Connor (bass), Ben Riley (drums) & David Rawlings (video).
A Night in Paradise! Lush, and passionate – a video of one of the songs from my CD “Song in the Wind”
Donna Greenberg (lyrics, music, vocals), Jordan Klapman (arrangement, piano), Kevin Laliberté (guitar), Tony Quarrington (guitar), Ross MacIntyre (bass), Glenn Anderson (drums), Tom Skublics (flute), Donna Greenberg (director, producer), Edmund Fairfax (assistant director), David Rawlings (videographer).
Donna is a featured artist on The Bob Birch Radio Show – Playlist 13/4/18. Many thanks to Bob and his team and many thanks to the musicians who played with me on these tracks.
Donna Greenberg 