Category: Spring

March 31. Issue #152

Post author By Paul Yanuziello
Post date March 31, 2023

My Monthly Journal

I share my new translated book, thoughts on music, life in Costa Rica, and more this month. The featured photo is of a baby humpback whale I spotted off the coast of Ballina Marine Park.

1. My first book in The Samba Dog series was recently published in French. The paperback is available on Amazon.com. Samba par une Journée Enneigée. Any French speakers who would like to review the book, please get in touch, and I will get you a complimentary copy. info@paulyanuziello.com

2.I am saddened that Wayne Shorter, one of my favorite saxophone players, has passed Mar 2, 2023. RIP Maestro.

Fortunate to have seen Wayne Shorter Quartet on a couple of occasions. The last time was in 2017 at Koerner Hall in Toronto: My report was published in Latin Jazz Net. Below is a link to that report.

Wayne Shorter Quartet Live @ Koerner Hall

For decades Wayne Shorter wanted to make an opera. He actually inspired me to write a stage play; I’m still working on it. He managed to get his opera, “Iphigenia: A New Opera” finished with the help of Esperanza Spalding, Frank Gehry and others. Check this review of the performance from the LA Times.

A link to a YouTube trailer: https://youtu.be/6FQsnpkIxKE

“Nothing is what I’m try to keep and go forward with. Nothing. Thank you.”

Those were Wayne Shorter’s parting words to the audience at the Broad Stage in Santa Monica on Friday night after the Southern California premiere of his opera “… (Iphigenia).”

“That nothing is not nothing. It is nothing made out of something. It can be the imagination at play, beyond explanation,” Shorter explained.

3. Whale watching in Uvita at Ballena National Marine Park. During our tour with Aventura Uno Tours, we witnessed spotted dolphins, Humpback whales; we went snorkeling and viewed an underwater marine habitat sanctuary.

Our guide, Maurizio took us in search of waterfalls and hiking trails in a land resembling my idea of paradise. I highly recommend Aventura Uno.

4. A treat for lovers of children’s picture books, my first published book, Samba on a Snowy Day is part of a Spring Reading Marathon. This promotion starts on April 15, 2023 and runs through May 14, 2023. Save the link for some fantastic reading material

Did I mention the illustrations by Joshua Miller in this – book 1 of the Samba Dog series, a trilogy of Samba’s adventures, wonderful. A short review from Readers Favorites: “5 Stars – Samba on a Snowy Day, is a sweet story about the snowy adventures surrounding a little girl and her Bernese puppy. The story is colorfully illustrated. The language is simple, appropriate for a young reader. A fun read.” Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers’ Favorite – 5 Stars

5. My report on a Flamenco show in San Jose, Costa Rica. See the full published report at: That Canadian Mag.

I returned to Toronto just in time to catch a show at the Jazz Bistro. The legendary drummer and vibraphonist Joe Chambers. Some great Canadian musicians joined him for a great performance. Check my report, About Last Night.

Thank you for reading; if you think someone you know would be interested in my newsletter, please pass it along.

All of my books are now available at your favorite bookstores; support local bookstores with your online purchases. Make sure you get out and about but do stay safe. Visit a book store, or the library and pick up some books. If you’re looking for a great early reader chapter book get my book Scratchy the Squirrel: A Time for Friends. Or one of my picture books, Samba in Switzerland, Samba on a Snowy Day or Samba in Brazil.

Stay safe, stay well, stay strong and keep going.

Tags Joe Chambers, Latin Jazz Network, Wayne Shorter

Poetry Reading Spring

April 9 . Issue #85

Post author By Paul Yanuziello
Post date April 9, 2021

Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery
None but ourselves can free our minds
Have no fear for atomic energy
‘Cause none of them can stop the time

How long shall they kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look? Ooh
Some say it’s just a part of it
We’ve got to fulfil the book

Won’t you help to sing
These songs of freedom?
Won’t you help to sing?
Redemption songs
Redemption songs
Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery

Bob Marley – Redemption Song

April is national poetry month and this week I am looking at all things as a poet.

1. The featured photo is of a mural that I discovered on a recent walk in midtown Toronto. My new home is close to little Jamaica, the Eglinton & Oakwood area of TO, the home of roots-reggae.

That was recognized in 2015 with the opening of Reggae Lane and unveiling of this mural by Adrian Hayles featuring some of the legendary musicians who called the neighbourhood home – Leroy Sibbles of the Heptones, Jackie Mittoo (aka Donat Roy Mittoo of the Skatalites), the Cougars, Johnny Osbourne, Ernie Smith, Stranger Cole and others.

2. Alexander McCaul Smith may not be a poet laureate but he surely can put together some joyous prose. I receive his monthly newsletter and this month he shares a poem; “Spring Comes, Even This Year“.

3. I really got into the reggae, ska and rocksteady music this week and it brought me right straight around to funk. Checking out the powerful vocalizing of Michael Dunston featured here on the Rhythm Express recording of “The Ghetto”.

Michael Dunston is also the featured vocalist for the group Soul Stew. My friends at JPEC captured a great performance of the band and Michael seen here singing on “What’s Happening” and “What’s Going On” bringing back that incredible Marvin Gaye vibe.

4. National Poetry Month happens every April and this year’s focus is ‘Resilience’ and it is certainly a fitting theme. What does that mean for you? Is there a poem wanting to be released in your soul?

Poetry Foundation puts out a poem for the day, I like this days poem and will share it with you all. The poem is by Robert Hershon, entitled Superbly Situated.

I have felt the passion to put my hand to a bit of prose in gratitude for the good things that I am blessed with. What better title than ‘Gratitude‘.

5. I have started reading a book of poems by Rupi Kaur; The Sun and Her Flowers it is a deep, different, humourous and wildly popular book.

My book Samba in Brazil is still available for a limited time as part of the Illustrated Children’s Book Spring Fling promotion.

If you’re in the hunt for some fun April reading, look no further! I have joined a group of bestselling authors who have teamed up to offer a delightful selection of new books.

Thank you for sharing my week. If you are looking for a fun children’s book check out one of my books. Samba on a Snowy Day, Samba em um Dia de Neve or my new book, Samba in Brazil – Free e-book for a limited time starting April 2nd, Illustrated Children’s Book Spring Fling!

Stay safe, stay well, stay strong and keep going.

Tags Alexander McCaul Smith, Bob Marley, Ernie Smith, Leroy Sibbles, Michael Dunston, Rupi Kaur

Reading Spring Writing

February 5 . Issue #76

Post author By Paul Yanuziello
Post date February 5, 2021

“Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.”
– Oscar Wilde –

Hello all and welcome to my weekly journal. This week my five points of interest lean heavily on me and my books. The world of publishing keeps me going.

1. The protagonist of my children’s book’s, Samba the Bernese Mountain Dog, is originally from Bern, Switzerland and his best friend, Ariela is from Brazil; it just makes sense that I should have a Brazilian, Portuguese version of my book.

I am thrilled to announce: Samba em um Dia de Neve, the new translated version of book number one in the Samba the Dog series; now available from Amazon and all other fine book stores.

My thanks and appreciation goes out to my team who made it happen; for consultation on all things Brazilian, Adrianna of Dance Migration; Translation services, Luiz Rocha; Proofreader, Denise Queiroz Herren; Illustrations and front cover design, Joshua Miller; Book design and layout Kim McDougall of Castelane.

2. I still have some ARC’S, Advanced Reader Copies of my new book, Samba in Brazil.

If you would like to check out the new book, here is the link for you to download your free copy of Samba in Brazi l.

Reviews are important to authors. Without them, you experience difficulty selling books. Shoppers look to Amazon and Goodreads reviews to help them make their decisions on purchases.

I am looking for honest reviews on Goodreads or Amazon. Here is a link to my book featured on Amazon where you can post your review. Samba in Brazil Please mention in your review the following: “I was sent a free book and I am voluntarily leaving this honest review.”

Thank you in advance for taking the time, much appreciated.

3. The David Suzuki Foundation is looking for recruits and I have submitted my application. I am looking to become a butterfly ranger.

Groundhog Day, February 2nd, a day to find out if spring will arrive early. I believe that spring is in the air, park training will return in six weeks time.

In the meantime, I may just watch Groundhog Day once again. Is it just me or do these strange times feel like that movie?

4. This week I have uncovered book 2 in the Harry Potter series and I am reading with interest, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

5. What I am watching and recommending the final season of Schitt’s Creek. Very funny!

I am also reviewing Akira Kurosawa films, what made him so good? The realism, the dynamics, the skill of the actors. The film, Shichinin no samurai (Seven Samurai) by Kurosawa, 1954. This is one of the best Japanese swordfights ever filmed, in my opinion.

Part of the magic is in the choreography and the choreographer, Japanese swordsman extraordinaire, Yoshio Sugino.

Thank you for reading. If you think someone would enjoy the newsletter please share it with them. If you are looking for a fun children’s book check out one of my books. Samba on a Snowy Day or my new book, Samba in Brazil.

Stay safe, stay well, stay strong and keep going.