The beautiful chocolate box town (and birth place of Arnold Schwarzenegger) Schladming, with it’s typically wonderful Austrian ski fields has kept Arnie’s “Terminator” catch cry “I’ll be back” running through my mind to this present day. I’ve seen his house in LA. It’s wrapped in security to keep the tourists and local riff raff at bay and I can well imagine that one day he’ll be saying of Schladming; “I’ll be back”.

Schladming’s central park has a giant gold trumpet some 15 metres long and 4 metres high proudly proclaiming to all that “this is a musical town too.” It has a bandstand in the central mall and a vibrant musical calendar mostly concentrated around the non-winter, non-ski season. Visit www.mideurope.at

Glistening silver and white snow laden pine trees flashed past the train window as we crossed from Austria to Switzerland for an engagement with a New Orleans style Dixie Land jazz band at the 25 th Anglo-Swiss Anniversary. It turned out to be a very enjoyable occasion and musically fun too. Friends Nigel and Rose-Marie Coombs explained to me that in Switzerland many languages are spoken and even people who speak the same language, say German for example, are unable to understand each other because they are speaking a different version or dialect. Maybe that’s why my Australian rendition of the Italian song “O Sole Mio” sung in the predominantly French part of Switzerland to an audience of German, English, Israeli, Swedish and Swiss was received with enthusiasm.

The Swiss leg of our tour with it’s good times catching up with friends, interesting food and fabulous ski adventures at Crans-Montana passed all too quickly. It was time to head back to London for a final farewell to the family and also a final dash at London’s music scene.

Pizza Express in Dean Street, Soho, Central London, always puts on a good show when it comes to high quality jazz. So we made it our destination to bid a truly great city of music and entertainment “Adieu”.

Pat Martino is in my book the fastest guitarist alive. He locks the guitar firmly under his right arm, adopts a fairly rigid stance and sends his fingers flying over the fret board faster than the speed of light! How the plectrum in his right hand syncs up with the chords and melodies being formed with his left hand is a total mystery and a source of constant wonderment.

Pat hails from Philadelphia USA and was doing a European tour, which luckily included a stint at London’s Pizza Express. A warm and friendly man who, when asked by me if he could slip a

special surprise request into the program for my wife Denise, was more than happy to oblige in style, announcing to the packed room that she came all the way from Australia. Applause went around the room, Denise stood up to acknowledge it and immediately a table of Australians and New Zealanders introduced themselves to us. “Such a small world,” I thought.

It was a special night and later Pat expressed a real desire to visit Australia.” I’d love to come to Australia, so who knows maybe someday soon.”

One thing’s for sure. If you’re a guitarist and Pat Martino’s name is seen advertised in Australia, you’d be crazy to miss his concert. In the meantime have a look at Pats website on www.patmartino.com and maybe also check out Pizza Express on www.pizzaexpress.com/jazz

Safely back on Terra OZ. Australian Alps in the Shire of Snowy River to be precise I was pleased to hear that yet another past finalist in the “Talent of The High Country” talent quest Rochelle Williamson, has realized her dreams and is now full time at the University of New South Wales studying for her double major; Bachelor of Dance and Education. Entry was based on HSC marks and very competitive dance auditions. Congratulations Rochelle. Having witnessed your spine tingling performance on that Easter weekend two years ago I can honestly say you deserve every success.

Dates to look forward to:

Easter Sat. 15th April
Dinner Dance at Horizons Jindabyne with cocktails around the grand piano then rock on
‘til late with Gone Fish’n’ 6.30pm ‘til late
$70 per head.

Easter Sun 16th April
Blues Jam Session at Horizons with
Gone Fish’n’ and Guests 2pm ’til 5pm
$10 cover charge

May 5th - 7th
Thredbo Jazz Festival
See www.thredbo.com.au/jazz for details of program, ticket prices and accommodation packages.

Paul Dion