Episode #404- Waltz of the Flowers
Episode #404 - Waltz of the Flowers
Today on Life In Bloom, the blooms are alive with the sounds of music. We’ll visit with the composer of the music heard on the show, we’ll learn about a beverage infused with flowers and sound, and I’ll create a couple of music inspired flower arrangements.
“It's the flowers you choose, the music you play, the smile you have waiting.” — Audrey Hepburn
The inspiration for this episode is Music. When I set aside time to relax and enjoy arranging flowers, music is a part of the experience, because it’s about time for me, and what makes me happy. Much research has been done about how plants respond to music, with various conclusions. But what I do know for sure, is that music enhances my own experience while arranging flowers. That’s why we include music in the show - to enhance the experience with flowers. In fact, the music in the show is composed exclusively for Life In Bloom. Today we’ll explore music and flowers including a visit with the composer, musician, and producer, of the show’s music, Ben Scott Brandt.
Music in Bloom - with Special Guest Ben Scott Brandt
J introduces musical composer Ben Scott Brand- the creator of the Music for "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom" . J and Ben have been friends for many years... and J and ben discuss their previous connections with cosmetology and hair... and also some fun stories about composing the original music score for a show about flowers.
J tells us- "Ben is one of my favorite friends- as the person that helped create my signature hairstyle- to just being an incredible friend and confidant... I had been following Ben's Musical Career- and even purchased one of his albums- "Ribbons of Song"... so it was natural for me to ask Ben to create the soundtrack for "Life in Bloom"... However you'll need to watch the show- to see how Ben remembers the process!
Ben created the soundtrack from the show- simply by a few suggestions- and his impression and inspiration of flowers- and how flowers made him feel... that's the secret behind the amazing music- it's Ben's passion for music and applying it to flowers!
Ben actually started composing for the show, before he had seen the show- and he shares his thoughts on that process, and whether it makes it easier or more difficult. Ben also shares his musical roots- and how that translates to the beautiful music he creates... outside of "J Schwanke's life in Bloom"
Ben used technology- that allowed him to play all but one of the instruments you hear in the soundtrack- J and Ben talk about how that works- and also about the special Track "Flower Cocktail Hour" that includes one of J's Favorite instruments- the Accordion!
You can purchase the soundtrack to "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom" at the following Links...
Purchase "Music for Arranging Flowers" Soundtrack CD- here
Download "Music for Arranging Flowers" Soundtrack - here
Listen to "Music for Arranging Flowers" - the Sound Track to "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom"- and more of Ben's Music on Spotify.com, Apple Music and more!
Coming Soon- Learn More about Ben Scott Brand ! Stay Tuned!
“People are flowers. Music is water. Musicians are the hose.” – Carlos Santana
Musical Notes in Flowers
You may have seen inspired artwork composed of flowers and petals. Today I’m going to use music from the show and an inspiration to create flower art, to photograph and share.
J creates a flat display of flowers and petals as musical notes - and then photographs the result- to create a card- perfect for sending... this is a fun #FlowerCraft- that anyone can accomplish... and it's a great way to create your own flower inspired cards and stationary!
J uses Spray Roses from Myriad Flowers- Macarena yellow, Mikado red and Electra pink, accented by Lily Grass from FernTrust- and Locally grown- Forest Hyacinth from Z Farms!
A Visit to Sacred Springs
We learn about Sacred Springs and their sound infused kombucha at the Fulton Farmers Market- J loves kombucha- and finding the Sacred Springs Varieties- that include both Flower Elements- and have been infused with sound were a welcome combination... of course there are wonderful health and wellness benefits that are associated with kombucha- and of J wanted to find out more about the process that Sacred Springs uses to create their sound infused fl0wer inspired kombucha!
If you want to visit Sacred Springs- and experience- all the wonderful kombucha- (and Music Events) they offer... You can visit their tap room at 1059 Wealthy Street, Grand Rapids, Michigan-Contact Geoff Lamden- for more information at geoff@sacredsprings.com
https://www.sacredkombucha.com/about
Kombucha is a popular fermented drink that many people enjoy for it’s fizzy taste, but also for the benefits offered by probiotics, inherent in most Kombucha. Jdiscovered a local brewery with a unique twist on the beverage. Geoff Lamden and Joel Andrus infuse sound into their drinks. Sounds interesting, right? In this episode of Life in Bloom- you'll learn all about Sacred Springs Organic Sound Infused Kombucha.
Obviously when J discovered Sacred Springs products at his local Farmer’s Market- J was of course intrigued by the “Flower of Life“ flavor, then learned from the Sacred Springs website about the infusion of sound into the kombucha, that was even more intriguing, join J, Goeff and Joel- to learn more about their process in this episode of "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom".
You can learn more about the evidence based background on Kombucha and the health and wellness benefits at the following link:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/8-benefits-of-kombucha-tea
Coming Soon- Learn More about Sacred Springs- and Geoff Lamden and Joel Andrus- Stay Tuned!
Featured Flower: Crocosmia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocosmia
- Crocosmia is a small genus of flowering plants in the iris family
- Plants can be evergreen or deciduous perennials that grow from basal underground corms.
- The leaves are sword shaped.
- Crocosmia have colourful inflorescences of 4 to 20 vivid red and orange subopposite flowers on a horizontally branched stem.
- Plants flower from early summer well into fall.
- Crocosmias are grown worldwide, and more than 400 cultivars have been produced. Some hybrids have become invasive.
- They can be propagated through division, removing offsets from the corm in spring.
#FlowerCocktailHour- "Meaduca" - featuring several Sacred Springs Kombuchas- and Sacred Springs Mead-
with Geoff Lamden and Joel Andrus/Sacred Springs
Joel makes an original #FlowerCocktailHour cocktail with Kombucha for J at Sacred Springs...
Recipe for the "Meaduca" -
Equal parts of the following - added over ice....
"Flower of Life" Kombucha
"Friday Morning" Kombucha- (Blueberry Lavender)
Sparkling Mead (Honey Wine from Sacred Springs)
Lemon-Lime Mead Spritzer
Add a squeeze of lemon- and a splash of simple syrup... Garnish with a Lemon... ENJOY!
Get the Complete #FlowerCocktailHour Recipe- from Sacred Springs- at this Link!
Instruments and Flowers
J creates a flower arrangement inspired by a Vintage wooden Xylophone that belongs to his Mother-in-law- Mary Lou!
J shares - “I thought it would be fun to create a flower arrangement that takes inspiration from a musical instrument…” so J gathers the following: Bamboo- from FernTrust, Sunflowers and Snapdragons from Golden State Flowers, Macarena Spray Roses from Myriad Flowers, David Austin Juliet Garden Roses- from Garden Roses Direct, Freesia from Holland America Flowers, Yellow Sunflowers from Bandy Ranch Flowers, Pin Cushion Protea from Resendiz Brothers and Carnations From Ayura Pride Eclipse Flowers!
Coming Soon- More Arranging Information from J - regarding this Musical Instrument Inspired Arrangement! Stay Tuned!
Arranging Flowers to Music with Ben Scott Brandt
J invites Ben to perform the theme song from "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom" in real time... while J creates an arrangement- to the Music Ben created... what a fun opportunity!
I hope you’ve enjoyed the combination of music and flowers and will take the time to enhance your well-being by experiencing both for yourself. For Life In Bloom, I’m J Schwanke.