Snow-capped mountains, ocean, glaciers, icebergs, eagles, whales, seals, bears, forests, waterfalls... Welcome to Alaska!

Having bid farewell to Taiwan mid April, I now perform on the Island Princess cruise ship with my very own quartet. Passengers have come from across the globe to discover wild and beautiful Alaska. We sail from Whittier in the North to Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan and finally Vancouver. Along the way, we visit magnificent hanging and tide-water glaciers; these are the remains of ice sheets that once covered the land three kilometers high.

On each cruise, audiences groove to different styles, helping to keep us on our toes. The characters vary as much as the music and I keep thinking that I could write a book of short stories based on our nightly experiences: Dance lovers that float into the room like fairies, seemingly spellbound by the music; elderly couples who sweep each other across the dance floor as if stepping out of a movie featuring Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron. Several moments have been beautifully embroidered in my memory, as life becomes art.

Half-way around the world, encounters with strangers, deeply-rooted traditions seen with fresh eyes, a lush and mountainous landscape that surrounds a bustling and energetic metropolis, food and shops and markets galore, natural hot springs, humidity and rain, sounds I can't pronounce, English! No, Mandarin. Welcome to Taipei.

I have been here since the middle of September but my Canadian spirit is confused; where are the changing colours of Fall? My mind tells me I am here, but I am there and everyone at once. As I travel to new places, time after time, I feel lighter. It is the phase of the passerby, floating across borders and feeling unattached to places yet connected to all. Taipei is a wonderful place and home to many. I haven't claimed her nor can I compare her; she is unique.

I plan to be here, in the company of my sweetheart, until it is time to go. Friendships have developed as have relationships with Taiwan's finest musicians. We are in the right place at the right time, suffice it to say.

It's rare that one feels so at home in so little time. Living in Boswell, BC these past few months has introduced me to several communities that have welcomed and supported me and shown their appreciation in the loveliest ways. Kootenay Lake's East Shore communities have an openness to them that enables and encourages a flow of creativity. Nova Scotia, one of Canada's Maritime provinces, has love of music in their roots, and I think I just found a similar nook in Western Canada. I'd like to thank the Snoring Sasquatch (Creston), Crawford Bay School and the Wedgwood Manor's Nancy and André (Crawford Bay), and Bob's Bar in Riondel for hosting our Kootenay shows. Many more thanks to the community and individuals who have driven along curvy Highway 3A, risking their safety in the name of live music. And of course, it's been a great pleasure to meet and play with Paul, Cliff and Rob, three talented musicians from Nelson.

But wait! We're still here for one more week and this Friday (July 16th), we bid farewell to the Kootenays on stage at the famous Starbelly Jam Music Festival in Crawford Bay. We open the festival with a free show at 8pm on the Moonbelly Stage. Hans Verhoeven (drums), Donny Clark (trumpet), Paul Landsberg (guitar), Rob Johnson (bass) and I hope to see you there!

Thank you Kootenay Lake! We'll be back!

On Saturday June 5th, Creston's Snoring Sasquatch hosted a well attended and vibrant performance of the Kootenay version's Monica Shore Quartet: on drums, Hans Verhoeven, the group's co- arranger/composer, and from Nelson, Paul Landsberg on guitar and Rob Johnson on upright bass. An interview with Creston Radio's Tim Davis (CIDO), a posting in the local paper (Creston Valley Advance), postering, social networking, and word of mouth all contributed to the success of the event. Thanks to all who came out to support live music and to everyone who helped in its promotion! With such an encouraging start to our BC summer concert series, we look forward to our future performances. Catch us on July 16th at the Starbelly Jam in Crawford Bay with special guest Donny Clark, legendary Canadian jazz trumpeter--a performance not to miss! Stay posted for more news to come...

In January, I was offered a 4-month gig singing at a luxury resort in Mexico at the southernmost tip of the Baja peninsula. I happily escaped Montreal's winter and found myself in San Jose del Cabo, singing six nights a week with Surya Experience, the house band at Palmilla's One & Only Suviche Restaurant. It has been a warm and profound experience, bringing me to new levels both musically and personally. Music and travel have the power to transform and often go hand in hand.

In May, I will travel north to Canada's province of British-Columbia to work on material for the Monica Shore Quartet with drummer Hans Verhoeven. Guitarist Paul Landsberg and bassist Rob Johnson join us for shows in the Kootenays up until July, followed by collaborations with guitarist Pat Coleman and bassist Ken Lister on Vancouver Island in August. Creative ideas are flowing and I look forward to seeing them manifest into tangible results in the coming months.

Visit my myspace for information about performances!