One of the joys of photography is seeing your photographs come alive. Last summer, we spent a week on the Outer Banks of North Carolina photographing Karina Zorn, a light-jazz singer, for her new CD, Through These Eyes. We used the beautiful, gentle quality of light of the early morning and late afternoon. After all, with a title such as “Through These Eyes,” we couldn’t have her squinting! Not only were we pleased with the results of this week-long shoot, but Karina was ecstatic.

I am writing this entry from Toronto where we came for the CD launch in the grand Imperial Room at the elegant Fairmont Hotel. What a show! With well over 300 music lovers in attendance, an ensemble that included four world-class musicians who have been bestowed with the Order of Canada (Canada’s version of Knighthood), and members of the Toronto Symphony, it was nothing short of spectacular. Big names such as Concert Master Rick Wilkins, Guido Basso, and Peter Appleyard accompanied Karina.

The tables were set with an assortment of wine glasses and an elegant dessert. In the center of each round table was a beautiful orchid plant, echoing four more plants on the stage. And at each place setting was one of Karina’s CDs and a beautiful Hoselton aluminum quarter-note sculpture.

Among the luminaries in attendance was Louie Jannetta, retired, long-time Maitre’ D at the Fairmont who over the course of his illustrious career rubbed elbows with many noted people, including Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald, and Tony Bennett. He spoke during a break in the program, voice choked, as he talked about Karina, her voice, and how it brought back the heyday of the room and its musical history. In short, it was an old-fashioned, classic, classy musical launch.

The cover and all the inside photographs were all composed to feature Karina’s eyes. Her lead song, “Through The Eyes,” is one she composed especially for the album. It was met with enthusiastic applause. Karina would have had a second encore if the musicians hadn’t left the stage, as the guests were still enthusiastically applauding.

So, from last summer to last night, we watched our photographs added to the CD, the website, and finally to the elegant tables at the launch.

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