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February 28, 2003
Runcible Spoon on tour
Vocalist Leah State joins up-and-coming jazz group.
CYNTHIA RAMSAY SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH BULLETIN
A group of talented musicians will make their way to British Columbia
in March. Runcible Spoon's upcoming tour will take them to Kaslo,
Kootenay Bay, Nanaimo, Gabriola Island, Denman Island, Victoria
and Vancouver, giving British Columbians a chance to see in an intimate
setting performers who will command huge audiences in the future.
Mainly a jazz ensemble, Runcible Spoon borrows from other musical
styles, including klezmer, folk and gypsy. And Runcible's musicians
have backgrounds varying from classical and jazz to pop and improvisation.
The group is led by Victoria natives Monica Fedrigo (cello) and
Tania Gill (piano), with Pam Bettger (viola), Julia Hambleton (clarinet)
and Leah State (vocals), all of whom are from Toronto.
State joined the ensemble last year in Banff, where they were artists-in-residence
at the Banff Centre for the Arts. In addition to their B.C. tour
this winter, State and Runcible Spoon plan to go into the studio
and record their first CD together.
Prior to joining up with Runcible Spoon, State, who is Jewish, released
her own recording, Still, which has gained very positive
reviews. The CD is comprised of State's renditions of jazz standards,
cabaret, pop and traditional music. Her work with Runcible Spoon
is also in this vein, with State singing with them such songs as
Kurt Weill's "Lost in the Stars," Duke Ellington's "Mood
Indigo" and, one of my favorites on their promotional CD, "Carolina
Moon," by B. Davis and J. Burke.
As for what exactly a runcible spoon is, it seems to be a made-up
term. A quick Web search indicates that it was most likely invented
by English writer Edward Lear. In his 1871 poem "The Owl and
the Pussy Cat," there is the verse: "They dined upon mince
and slices of quince, which they ate with a runcible spoon...."
While Lear never defined the term, others have tried. One explanation
is that "runcible" is derived from an ancient French word,
"rounceval," which meant "large." Another definition
is that a "runcible spoon" is a three-pronged, spoon-like
utensil.
Whatever the meaning, Runcible Spoon starts their B.C. tour in Kaslo
on March 8; call 250-353-2661 for more information. The next day,
they will be in Kootenay Bay (800-661-8711). On March 11, they will
play in Nanaimo (250-753-3284). They will be on Gabriola Island
March 12 (250-247-7412) and on Denman Island March 13 (250-335-2293).
The group will be in Victoria at the Esquimalt high school theatre,
847 Colville Rd., March 14; admission is $10/$7. They will play
in Vancouver at the Sugar Refinery, 1115 Granville St., March 15,
10 p.m.; call Ida at 604-331-1184 for more information.
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