October, 2009
 
It’s been a year when I’ve been proud to present American music! It’s also been a hard year, with grim economic and environmental problems facing the world. But, I’m continuing to share my music, wherever I can, offering what I do best and hoping it offers people peace, healing and joy.
 
Some highlights from last year: On May 21, I accompanied Scottish singer Jean Redpath on the heartwarming “Some Kind of Love,” on the Late Show with David Letterman. I’ve accompanied Jean over the years. It was thrilling to perform with her on national television, on the same stage where the Beatles performed on the Ed Sullivan Show. Note to self: next time, bring a clip, to avoid repeating my now-seen-by-many, sheet-music-falling-off-the-piano trick …
 
And just recently, my playing was heard throughout the soundtrack of Ken Burns’ documentary The National Parks: America’s Best Idea. I’m grateful to have been heard on a baker’s dozen of his soundtracks.
 
I performed many concerts, both solo and with my two duos: the New Rigged Ship Scottish duo, with cellist Reinmar Seidler (see http://berkshirereview.net/2009/09/09/new-rigged-ship-reinmar-seidler-jacqueline-schwab-ps-21-chatham-ny/), and my duo with alto saxophonist Willie Sordillo (“Soul, Spirit and Step—vintage American music for Steinway and Sax”). I also enjoyed a performance with oboist Judith Dansker and an appearance with the Boston Camerata. And I enjoyed lifting people’s bodies and spirits, at dances in St. Croix, Iowa, Tenneseee and many more spots, with Bare Necessities and others.  
 
This fall, I’m excited to be heading to the Midwest, for my first solo concerts in the Great Plains states of Nebraska and South Dakota, along with return trips to Colorado, Minnesota and Iowa. Bare Necessities will be playing for fun English dance weekends in Fairfield, Iowa and in Philadelphia, Trenton and NYC (the popular “Triple Crown” weekend). I’m also looking forward to performing as the featured guest, for the New Hampshire Strathpey and Reel Society’s annual November gala Scottish concert, in Concord, NH, and also to performing a solo concert for First Night, in Chatham, MA.
 
After two moves in the last two years, I’m now moored on Cape Cod, where my husband Edmund Robinson is minister of the UU Meeting House, in Chatham, MA. I’m slowly getting used to my beautiful new surroundings, learning to identify the birds outside our house and meeting the many interesting, artistic people on the Cape. But I’m much on the road, performing, playing for dances and teaching. I’m very grateful to my family in the Boston area, who have provided my “home (and teaching studio) away from home”
 
If you knew someone at who might book me at a concert venue or who might be interested in sponsoring a house concert, please feel free to contact me! Have piano—will travel! (Well, I’d hope the venue could supply the piano …) And I’m always interested in working with new students! And Cellist Reinmar Seidler and I are seeking funding for a recording and looking for house concerts, to that end.  
 
All the news for now—I look forward to seeing you at a concert or a dance! Jacqueline