WHEN I FIND YOU

This is a new blog on a new site… so what better way to begin than with an original song written by Jerry Holland.

This video is from a recent live performance at the Rrazz Room in San Francisco. The lyrics are below.

Thanks for watching!

WHEN I FIND YOU
words & music Jerry Holland
c. HeebaLibra Music, BMI

How could I have known
You were a wounded dove
You never showed a sign of weakness
When I had your love
How could I have seen
You’d be flying west
And what would it all mean
If my heart withstood this test

When I find you
If I find you
I will never let you go
If I find you
When I find you
I will never let you go

How could I have fallen
for such pretty lies
And still believe I saw the truth
Written in your eyes
Could I have somehow changed
The way it all went down
Or will it end the same
The second time around

When I find you
If I find you
I will never let you go
If I find you
When I find you
I will never let you go

Searching for the soul of you
The fractions and the whole of you
One part poison
One part cure
Just one thing I know for sure

When I find you
If I find you
I will never let you go
If I find you
When I find you
I will never let you go
I will never, ever let you go…

Contact: sony@sonyholland.com

VItello’s Debut

(This post is imported from my previous blog.)

A big thank you to everyone who made my first show at Vitello’s a memorable one. It’s a rush to have a full house, but this night was extra special because my parents surprised me. They had been vacationing in Arizona and drove to Los Angeles, arriving just before show-time. My Dad called me that morning to wish me good luck and didn’t say a word about coming. He is pretty sneaky.

We had a great audience @ Vitello’s. We scheduled an early sound check and the band was on time… my first good sign. Though I had heard Otmaro play with his trio this was the first time we’d actually met and I am so glad we did. Sound check was our opportunity for a quick rehearsal. I could tell right away that this band was going to be a pleasure to work with.

Otmaro Ruiz playing a terrific solo…Jazz musicians are freelancer’s who are accustomed to performing in different combos. So even though these guys hadn’t worked together as a unit they meshed perfectly. By the time the show started it seemed like everyone in the room was feeling good. The rhythm section of David Hughes and Kendall Kay kicked into our first number and we were really swinging.

A cool shot of David.

“I see your face in every flower…”Time absolutely flies on stage when the sound is good (thanks Paul), the band is in sync (thanks guys) and the audience is attentive. Then all I have to do is wear a nice dress and sing the songs like I do at home. Before I knew it we were playing TWO SLEEPY PEOPLE and it was almost time to say goodnight.

Jerry had everyone’s ear during his beautiful solo on OVER THE RAINBOW.

When the show was over I had the chance to visit with everyone. I loved that so many people introduced themselves to my parents. They had a great time. Vitello’s is a very comfortable venue for jazz so I hope you’ll join us when we return. A big thanks to Terry Dudley for taking these photos and for sharing them with me so generously.

It wasn’t easy but Terry managed to get us back on stage for a shot after the show. What a nice evening!

Live Shots

(This post is imported from my previous blog.)

@ the Rrazz Room, San Francisco: November 2011

We were having a good time from Jump Street:-)

The shot above was taken right after the opening number,

I’LL REMEMBER PARIS.

  SPEAK LOW:

“Time is so old and love so brief,

Love is pure gold and time a thief…”

 I confess that I make a lot of funny faces

when I’m singing, like this one below.

This shot is from POLK STREET BAR.

“He’s right at home 

in a lively Polk Street Bar 

Where the jukebox plays Sinatra

and the good time people are…”

That’s Seward McCain on bass & Bob Blankenship on the drums.

And here’s the rest of the band,

Benny Watson on piano & Jerry Holland on guitar!

We were playing SOON IT’S GONNA RAIN,

a lovely song from the Fantasticks. We took it off Broadway

and turned it into a gentle Bossa Nova.

Hand on hip. I think I was singing

YOU TURNED THE TABLES ON ME,

served with a little attitude.

I was so pleased with these shows. The band was great,

the sound clear and the audience so warm and enthusiastic.

 It’s unfortunate that we were unable to video tape them:(

 A huge thank you to Terry Dudley for taking these photos!

What’s On My Shelves

I wanted to share this pic that we took for a feature in Bay Stages Magazine called ‘Who’s reading Bay Stages?’ If you’re not familiar with it, Bay Stages is a very attractively put together arts magazine that covers the scene in the San Francisco Bay Area.

This photo was taken in my apartment in downtown Los Angeles. Atop the concrete & pine bookshelves you can see that I have some LP covers spread out… Babs and Tony Bennett are just over my shoulder.

Also on the mantle (but out of view) are photos of Nancy Wilson, Peggy Lee and Jerry’s platinum records.Below there are hundreds of CDs and tons of sheet music folios and books. The ‘dorm style’ wall units line the northeast corner of my loft and serve as a great perch for pictures of friends and family as well. Although they stubbornly defy any attempt at organization these shelves do a great job of holding my cherished memorabilia.

(This post is imported from my previous blog.)

 

House Concert

(This post is imported from my previous blog.)

I woke up on the morning of the backyard house concert and looked out onto a cold, gray, windy and rainy day. Nancy and I had started planning this event six weeks prior, back when mid-October seemed like a safe bet for blue skies in San Mateo. A few days earlier Jerry and I had packed our car full of guitars, amps, speakers, etcetera, and drove up from the heat of SoCal. Today was the day, there was no Plan B.

I was still staring out the window of the San Francisco high-rise where Jerry and I were staying when Nancy called. We shared a pathetic laugh. She had already put the chairs out in her yard and pulled them back in, wet with rain. I figured only a handful of folks would be crazy enough to show up for an outdoor concert with the rain coming down, the roads slick, the Giants in the playoffs and the Raiders playing at Candlestick. “Leave the chairs in,” I said, “we’re on our way.” We picked up my dear friend Jo and arrived with our gear and some goodies for the would-be feast.

Jerry

Jerry overconfidently tried setting up the P.A. system in the yard before retreating with it to the patio. We would have to seat everyone indoors, if anyone showed up! Big Bad Mike arrived and defiantly parked his barbecue grill beneath a dark cloud. Then one by one they came through the front door on Lake Street. Familiar faces of fans and friends and many newcomers to the cast. I was so humbled that they all came out to hear Jerry and I perform under these conditions. Nancy’s house was soon overflowing with about 80 of our unflappable crew.

With everyone finally seated Nancy introduced us. We opened our set with “On A San Francisco High,” and then performed a few songs from my latest CD. As if on cue, the sun appeared as we launched into “What A Difference A Day Made.” Applause for that! A few people slipped behind us taking their chairs into the back yard.

The rain let up and some folks slipped behind us.

KCSM DJ Pete Fallico

Pete Fallico, a DJ from KCSM, did us the honor of introducing the song “Sanssouci” in his deep, rich and resonant radio voice. It was all going so well when suddenly the power went out on the whole block. Still, the mood was good and no one panicked. We had stared down Zeus… what was Thor going to do? The queue at Big Bad Mike’s grill grew long, and by the time everyone was fed the power was back on.

We began the second set with “Night And Day” and a J. Holland original, “I Was No Angel Myself.” Then we played an old song that is one of my new favorites, “Just For A Thrill,” composed by Louis Armstrong’s wife Lillian. I noticed several people tearing up during “Les Feuilles Mortes.” When it was time to wrap things up I had the wonderful feeling that everyone would have been happy if we kept going and going.

 

With my friend Marlene Sorosky Gray

As we said our goodbyes a few volunteers stayed behind to help Jerry pack the car and Nancy put her home back together. I took the opportunity to sample some of the delicious leftover chocolate cake and cookies which guests had contributed. The guests had also generously filled our tip jar with enough cash for Jerry and I to breath a little easier this month. We are so thankful. A house concert is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon or evening… simply good music, food and fellowship without the overpriced drinks. I hope you’ll join us for the next one, rain or shine!

Time to eat and chat between sets.

A “big” fan:-) Naz and Mike!

The Sacramento Connection

Yellow flowers from a mysterious gentleman!

P.S. To set up a concert in your house, please email me at sony@sonyholland.com. Thanks!

Photos: Terry Dudley

With The Big Band In Fargo!

I really enjoyed being back in Fargo to sing with the Jazz Arts Group Big Band. It had taken weeks of preparation to get ready for the 1 hour show. Getting charts made for the band is really difficult and of course, I never got to rehearse with them until the day of the concert. It all went so well, and it was a little surreal when Mayor Walaker proclaimed it “Sony Holland Day” in Fargo! That caught me completely by surprise…

 

(This post is imported from my previous blog.)

Venice Community Housing Fundraiser

(This post is imported from my previous blog.)

This past Sunday’s fund raising champagne brunch for the Venice Community Housing Corporation is the kind of event I love to be involved in…making music for a very deserving cause. The VCHC owns and manages 200 units of non-profit affordable housing. They also provide comprehensive supportive programs including job training, youth development and employment, life skills coaching and family services to help people regain or retain their self-reliance.

The brunch and silent auction is an annual affair to raise money for the VCHC. The setting was a huge yard and our stage had a colorful canvas back-drop, created by some of the young people who have benefited from the VCHC youth programs.

We started making music at 11am, and that’s early for a singer. Fortunately Eric Ahlberg did an outstanding job running the sound and I had a great band with me…Theo Saunders, Ryan McGillicudy and Kendall Kay. We kicked it off with Donald Kahn and Stanley Styne’s A BEAUTIFUL FRIENDSHIP. The crowd was very gracious and in a festive mood. My husband Jerry joined us on guitar for a few of his original tunes, BARCELONA, IT’S AN UNDERSTATEMENT, and WHIRLWIND ROMANCE.

Theo Saunders and I in front of the colorful canvas.

With Ryan McGillicudy on Bass

We took a break around noon and made way for the formal program. There were very moving speeches by two people who had been able to turn their lives around with the help of VCHC programs and counseling. This is what the afternoon was all about. It was heart-warming to hear testimonials directly from the beneficiaries.

Enjoying a break with some of the VCHC’s wonderful supporters.

After the break we came back for more music. By this time I was more warmed up! It was a beautiful day and the band was smoking on tunes like OUT OF THIS WORLD and LIKE SOMEONE IN LOVE. Theo played terrific solos on the bossa HOW INSENSITIVE and the bluesy JUST FOR A THRILL.We ended with an up-tempo swing version of YOU’D BE SO NICE TO COME HOME TO that features Ryan’s driving bass solo.

Theo on piano, Kendall on drums, Ryan on bass.

The brunch was over but the music festival continued with three great bands, the Luminaire’s, The 44′s and Allensworth. I’d like to thank Sheri Determan for taking these photos. Also thanks to Kristin Laskaris for all of her help setting up the event. It was a perfect day for a good cause and I’m so happy to have been a part of it. To learn more about the Venice Community Housing Corporation please visit their web site at http://www.vchcorp.org.