THE FOREST: A slideshow of some of T. G. Vanini’s mathematical images set to his song “The Forest” performed by the Princes of Serendip:
T. G. performed some of his poetry in this recording of the March 14, 2024 Green Kill Sessions -- T. G. is on at 47:00::
Two of T. G. Vanini’s mathematical artworks have been selected for the national exhibition of mathematical art at the 2024 Joint Mathematics Meetings of the American Mathematical Society — “the largest mathematics gathering in the world”. His work was also featured in the 2022 Exhibition.
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YUMPATIDDLY BEE: SILLY SONGS — by The Princes Of Serendip.
Jaiya Records released “Yumpatiddly Bee: Silly Songs” in May 2019. Adults and children enjoy this good-natured collection of acoustic songs. Some tell stories and jokes, some incorporate a serious message, some are pure whimsy. All are fun to sing along with. Voices, piano and strings.
This is the second in a projected series of four Princes of Serendip albums, after “Seed-Maid: Sentimental Songs”, each highlighting a mood or feeling. These silly songs are perfect for a pick-me-up to restore good humor, or for a sing-along on a car journey, or with a bracing cup of chai to energize that mid-morning moment. The message is positive and warm throughout. The signature Serendip intertwining voices are accompanied by piano, strings, mandolin, upright bass, and occasional odd noises.
T. G. Vanini’s songs explore everything from love to the delights of onions — from crocodiles, bees and dinosaurs to the usefulness of knees — from scientific discoveries (did you know that mice sing courting songs just like birds do?) to pure nonsense (what would it feel like to be a bouncy ball?) Be prepared for the world’s first climate-change-peace-reggae-sea-shanty and for a celebration of the Fibonacci numbers. What is a silly song? Well, it may be whimsical or funny or amorous, it may have a punch line or it may be about a beautiful view or the joys of reading, it may have a serious message or its only message might be Smile! It won’t take itself too seriously and it won’t put anybody down. Some are sillier than others but all the songs on this album were specially selected for that elusive ingredient of silliness, so hard to fake or define, with the aid of T. G. Vanini’s proprietary Sillyometer.
The Princes of Serendip are joined on this album by George Quinn (mandolin and bass), Mikhail Horowitz (vocals and harmonica), Julie Last and Jude Roberts (vocals), and Lou Pappas (bass). The album was recorded at Coldbrook Productions in Bearsville, NY, by Julie Last.
T. G. Vanini’s first book DEAR CLOUDFACE — a collection of poetry — was published by Post Traumatic Press with beautiful cover and interior illustrations by Carol Zaloom.
“Vanini’s is a rare species of whimsy — too rich, too detailed, too drunk from the springs in the wild places of the imagination to lapse into sentimentality or preciousness. He is a truth-telling fabulist in the grand tradition of Kenneth Patchen, Nancy Willard, and his fellow mathematician, Lewis Carroll. He can charm you, enthrall you, make you laugh and sing with his audacious inventiveness, and — like all wizards who understand that the transcendent beauty and wonder of the world is underpinned by a profound sadness — he can break your heart.”
— Mikhail Horowitz
“Break out the champagne! For decades now, T. G. Vanini (aka Laurie Kirby) and the Princes of Serendip have entertained and enlightened Woodstock audiences in select venues with their sophisticated lyrics. Now Vanini crosses the border between song lyrics and poetry in his debut book of poems, a Dylanesque blend of the surreal with uncharted worlds utterly his own. His talent is prodigious — original imagery pours from him as from a waterfall—and seemingly inexhaustible. Dear Cloudface is simply stunning!”
— Michael Perkins
You can read a poem from the book, and buy the book, at Post Traumatic Press’s website.
The Princes of Serendip: Seed-Maid: Sentimental Songs … Listen/Buy
“The CD [Seed-Maid:Sentimental Songs] is a beguiling breath of fresh air with not one weak moment. Every song is to be savoured and enjoyed. Do yourself a favour; dim the lights, light the fire, pour yourself a hot chocolate or a goblet of mulled wine, put on the CD and enjoy the passion (and compassion) that the Princes of Serendip bring to their music. You will thank yourself afterwards.” — John Sillberg, CKOL Radio, 93.7 FM, Campbellford, ON, Canada
Four Months in the Folk DJ Chart! —“In Her Dream”, Julie Parisi Kirby’s album … and check out Julie’s website.
The strangest Princes Of Serendip album! — Listen/Buy —
An Evening with the Serendip Orchestra features some of T. G. Vanini’s most exotic, eclectic and operatic songs, accompanied by a virtual orchestra of electronic and acoustic instruments, animals and birds.
Irv Yarg on the Serendip Orchestra : “I am the dream imagining myself in sound.”
Charles Lyonhart on the Serendip Orchestra: “Sgt. Pepper meets Incredible String Band!”
I composed the music for the short documentary film “Plimpton 322: The Ancient Roots of Modern Mathematics”, written and narrated by my alter ego, Professor Laurence Kirby.
I perform my songs and song-poetry with The Princes of Serendip
Spatter the Mud at New World Home Cooking, St. Patrick’s Day, 2012
