5 on Friday - Set 180

Travis at Trav's Thoughts invites everyone to lay down a short set of music that takes their fancies for his 5 on Friday meme.

This week I'm handing the set list over to my uncle, Charles Doucet (father of my historical-romance-novelist cousin, Julianne MacLean.)

My uncle has been a musician, among many other things, for most of his life. He's heading off today for a three-day art show with his painterly photography collection at Victoria Park, across from the Public Gardens on Spring Garden Road, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. If you aren't in the area, you can check out his web site where all pieces are available (just contact him through the web site.)

Brad and I are heading over this afternoon to visit my aunt and uncle at the show -- that's them pictured above at their 50th wedding anniversary celebration last summer.

And now...over to you, Uncle Charlie.

~~~

Charlie Doucet’s 5 Tunes from Musicians of Influence

1 - St. Thomas - Barney Kessel

Barney Kessel:  My first and greatest influence as a beginning teenaged, potential jazz guitar player! Bought his album, “The Poll Winners, with Ray Brown on Bass, ( another major influence!,) Shelly Manne on drums. Wore the album out attempting to duplicate what I heard thru my 331/3 LP player in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

2 - All the Things You Are - Hank Garland

Hank Garland: A very tasty guitar player… I learned his tune, “Relaxin”, back in the 1960’s and it’s in my repertoire to this day.

3 - Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me - Ed Bickert

Ed Bickert: A Canadian, working out of Toronto, is recognized as one of the best jazz guitarist in the world. He plays guitar on the Moe Koffman hit, “Swinging Shepard Blues.” Also backed up Paul Desmond, the alto sax player formerly with Dave Brubeck of “Take 5” fame.

4 - Django in Paris - Joe Pass

 Joe Pass: A superb and truly amazing  jazz guitarist! His playing is immaculate, every note true and crystal clear, even at fast and furious tempos. I have a number of his teaching DVDs…too bad he has passed away… a real loss to up and coming guitarists looking for a creative path to follow!

5 - Lady Be Good - Ray Brown

Ray Brown: A Bass Player of impeccable talent. The foundation of time for any musicians he played with… such as Barney Kessel, Oscar Peterson, Ella Fitsgerald and countless others. At 76 years old, he had just finished a golf game, went to bed in his hotel room for a nap before an evening performance… and didn’t wake up… another great loss!

Thursday Thirteen - 147 - 13 Creative Works by My Uncle, Renaissance Man Charles E. Doucet

It's a huge crowd here today for the opening of my Uncle Charlie's art show here at A Piece of My Mind.

Come in! Come in! Have some chocolate-dipped strawberries, some grapes and cheese. A glass of wine.

Uncle Charlie is front and center for the family portrait. He's usually behind the camera! Take a picture, quick - Oh, well, he's picking up his guitar, getting ready for a jazz duo with his wife, my Aunt Noel. That's how it is with Uncle Charlie. That's why he's the Renaissance Man Extraordinaire.

As more guests arrive to the gallery, let's find a spot to enjoy Uncle Charlie's original composition which he wrote with Auntie especially for this art opening.

1 - Jazz guitar original composition



*clapping*

Oh, I just love the buttery-smooth tone of his guitar.

In case you need a bass player, he can play electric bass, as well. And if your keyboard player can't make it, he can take that gig, as well.



Uncle Charlie is a musician, composer, painter, wood carver, photographer, film and television producer and former underwater filmmaker.

That's him back in the day with an underwater camera casing, out at my favorite spot on earth, Polly Cove.








This is my favorite of his fine art photographs, taken out at my favorite piece of heaven.



- 2 Two Boulders










A lifelong fisherman, wilderness camper and hunter, Uncle Charlie has trekked deep into pristine forests to get amazing shots like Family of Wolves and Lynx in Tree.





- 3 Family of Wolves










- 4 Lynx in Tree








At some point, Uncle Charlie thought - hey, why not try painting?




- 5 An early painting














For most of his career, Uncle Charlie has been writing, producing, directing and editing radio and television commercials, regional TV series, documentaries and corporate videos. Here's a promo for a piece he did about our city of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

6 - Halifax Harbour: A Geological Journey





There's a strong attachment to the sea for Maritimers, and it gives my uncle a recurring theme in many of his pieces.



7 - Dory Silhouette






















8 - Driftwood art photography




9 - Driftwood Twists














10 - A favorite driftwood face












11 - The Viking King






Uncle Charlie has turned his attention more recently to wood carving. Some of his creations do double duty as holiday greeters for the family Christmas Eve dinner.
















A passionate gardener, his affinity for growing things leads to another strong element to his photography.



12 - Grapes












13 - Amaryllis Leaves













Oh - there's the artist now! Uncle Charlie - ((hug)) - I'm so glad you decided to have a show here on my blog. I absolutely love your new website, Charles E. Doucet Creatives.


You mean you built your website yourself?


The Renaissance Man shrugs. What can he say?




And here comes his daughter, historical romance author Julianne MacLean. "Hi, Cuz!" she smiles.



Oh, Julianne - your dad's art show is really amazing.










Her brother Charlie runs up to join us.


"This is awesome!" he says.













And Uncle Charlie's sister - my mom - and his wife, my Aunt Noel join us just as another tray of cheesecake squares and Cape Breton 'pork pies' (maple and date tarts) goes by.

Mmm...I think I'll nab a few of those...

Auntie, I loved your flute in the music video.

"Oh, thank you!" she says.

The crowd continues to stroll past the art work, and Uncle Charlie is busy chatting to guests. Thank you so much for coming to my latest art show! If we're lucky, they might pick up their guitar and flute again...

Robin says Wow, a Renaissance Man is right - he's extraordinary! I love his nature photography. Thank you so much for sharing your Uncle Charles with us.

Julianne MacLean says Wow - what a fun show! I'm very proud of my Dad. He is such an inspiration to me - and so are you, Julia, my lovely cuz, for hosting his art show at your exquisite "blogallery." Great start to my day :)

Uncle Charlie says My daughter Julianne described it nicely in her comment,a "blogallery." I loved your creative approach to displaying the various images...a virtual art gallery tour complete with the obligatory wine and cheese offerings, ( and how about those chocolate covered strawberries!!) Your Auntie Noel, (my dear wife,) and I thank you for your thoughtfulness and creativity in your very impressive blog...see you soon!