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Heather Cairncross

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Heather Cairncross meeting Jazz Trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie at Wolftrap

A Postcard From My Past – Meeting Dizzy Gillespie At Wolftrap

Heather Cairncross meeting Jazz Trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie at Wolftrap

This is one of my favourite photographs! I think it was taken about 1989, when I was a member of the Swingle Singers. We were on an American tour and were invited to perform at the Wolftrap Performing Arts Centre in Washington D.C. It was a big televised concert for PBS and we sang both the solo and choral parts of Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music with the orchestra. In the second half we did a few a cappella numbers, including our party piece, Tchaikovsy’s 1812 Overture.

Backstage there were so many interesting people and everybody gathered in the Green Room to watch the show on the small television. In this photo I’ve plucked up the courage to ask the legendary Jazz Trumpeter, Dizzy Gillespie to sign my programme. Another star was Chita Rivera, who played the original firebrand Anita in the 1957 production of Bernstein’s West Side Story, which made her a Broadway star. She must have been about 56 when we met at Wolftrap and she still kicked her leg right over her head. I also remember she had two very young and pretty boy dancers who with dancing with her, wearing next to nothing!

The hall was amazingand  it’s back walls could open up to grassy slopes outside where people picnicked whilst watching the show. I couldn’t resist showing you three more pictures. One is of the empty hall, another picture of Dizzy, with a great expression on his face and the final one is of me and a wonderful blues singer, laughing backstage. I can’t remember her name and if anybody recognises her, I would love to know it!

Wolftrap auditorium

Dizzy Gillespie backstage at Wolftrap

Heather Cairncross and ??? Laughing backstage at Wolftrap

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on A Postcard From My Past – Meeting Dizzy Gillespie At Wolftrap.
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    […] “Music For 18 Musicians”.  She’s also shared another “Postcard From My Past”, this time meeting Dizzy Gillespie and doesn’t she look young then!   She’s recorded the 2nd episode of her podcast too, so […]

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Heather Cairncross Singer

3 months ago

Heather Cairncross Singer

This Sunday in Brighton (my first gig there in soooooo long). I’ll be joining an amazing group of creative spirits led by pianist Mark Edwards for a new project The Common Rooms which brings together all things artistic, creative and positive. Please come and support such lovely idea!

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Heather Cairncross Singer

4 months ago

Heather Cairncross Singer

Delighted to be a part of this inspirational new project.

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Heather Cairncross Singer

5 months ago

Heather Cairncross Singer

Never fails to amaze! Tokyo Opera City with Synergy Vocals and Colin Currie Group #musicfor18musians

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Heather Cairncross Singer

7 months ago

Heather Cairncross Singer

Not long now!

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Heather Cairncross Singer

10 months ago

Heather Cairncross Singer

I can honestly say I’ve never been better prepared for a recording!And, finally, our version of #musicfor18 with Colin Currie Group is about to be immortalised 🙂. Big day tomorrow when I hope we can realise all those little details that matter so much🤞.

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Heather Cairncross Singer

11 months ago

Heather Cairncross Singer

Onwards to Berkeley on the West Coast!Wonderful article in The New York Times about Steve Reich + the premiere of Traveler’s Prayer which gets its West Coast premiere TOMORROW at Cal Performances! "Reich’s sound is by now central to the history of American classical music — and modern art more generally. "We are honored and SO excited for this program with Colin Currie Group and Synergy Vocals! READ 👇 www.nytimes.com/2022/11/02/arts/music/steve-reich.html?searchResultPosition=1

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A Postcard From My Past - Meeting Dizzy Gillespie At Wolftrap - Heather Cairncross UK Jazz Singer