A note from Jules...

For as long as I can remember, I have loved this art form. The energy it creates and how a song can take you to a place in your memory in an instant has always amazed me. Even a few bars or notes can have such power.

I was only a youngster when my mother recognized the spark within me. Remembering her younger years when friends would gather around one of the fellows who played the ukulele to sing, she thought this would be a good starting place for me. Mom has always been a wonderful singer, and I'm sure that when I was a child, she could see a potential within me that could be developed.

It has been a long time since the early days of my musical life, but all through my teens, twenties and thirties when I enjoyed the ups and downs of a professional career, the love of the music has never waivered, even at the lowest times.

It can be said that, when looking back over the years, the single most important musical influence in my life has been that of Billy. For almost twenty years he has always helped me to learn and hone the talents that Mom recognized long ago.

I still have that old uke, and although I have put it down to pick up the guitar, it still has it's place in my favourite room.

In the last few years I have been honoured to record with and for Billy, laying down some of his wonderfully crafted songs. The honour continues in having met, recorded with, and become inseparable friends with Sasha. Along with Billy, Sasha has been the next most powerful musical influence in my life. He helped me believe and understand that the value of unwaivering dedication to your craft means as much, if not more than documents and diplomas that can gather dust if you don't put them to the real test.

Acknowledgements and awards are nice, but it is what you are doing now that really matters...