Music Opens The Mind encourages the development of a life interest in music, recognizing that music is a very broad field with many activities and opportunities that do not require the ability to play an instrument or join a band.
The music that we hear, whether live or from a recording, reaches us in one of many ways. Each of these separate ways requires a variety of technical processes and skills. And with the exception of the smallest intimate live performances, if those processes or skills are absent, you won’t hear the music as intended.
The list of skills and processes needed to deliver music is very large. Sound engineers, recording and broadcast engineers adjust and balance the sound through the equipment to deliver the music in the right format to the concert hall sound system, the mastering facility or the radio transmitters.
And that’s not all. Someone needs to manufacture and maintain the instruments. Someone manages the venues where the music is performed. Someone manages the artists to ensure they are booked to play at the different venues. Someone takes the photographs and creates the publicity materials. Someone …
Here’s what is key to Music Opens The Mind: all of these someones may share a love of music, but you don’t have to be a musician to have these skills. So we just ask that you put this idea in your mind. When you hear “I wish I could …” or “I’m too old for …” or “I wish I hadn’t given up …”, then perhaps you may be able to offer “Did you know that …” or “Have you thought of …”. Your encouragement may be all it takes to show that person a new and rewarding path.
The MUSIC OPENS THE MIND JAZZ ENSEMBLE
The Music Opens The Mind Jazz Ensemble will perform a variety of well-known and well-loved jazz tunes, with particular attention to the saxophone. Between songs, Kevin O’Connor will speak briefly about the origin of the saxophone, and some of the challenges faced and overcome by its inventor, Adolphe Sax.
Dave Edgar (saxophone)
Dave Edgar is a local veteran saxophonist who specializes in nostalgic jazz idioms. He is classically trained and has played in many idioms including rock, blues, Dixieland, etc. Dave also doubles on clarinet and has performance degrees on flute. He is currently playing in two local big bands as well as The Montage Jazz Quartet.
Paul Wells (keyboards, bass)Paul Wells has been active on the music scene in Calgary for the past couple of decades. He is mostly self taught and has been involved in the Calgary Blues/Jazz/ R&B scene as a keyboardist with Steve Pineo’s various bands, the Real Deal band and the Debra Power band. He has also been involved in several Celtic projects playing guitar, mandolin, piano, accordion and Irish whistles.
Kelly Kruse (drums)Kelly Kruse has been a professional drummer since 1981 when he began his career in Vancouver with the Sue Medley Quartet. Since that time he has played with many top acts in the blues and jazz world and is currently working with Amos Garrett’s Modern Blues Quartet, Kat Danser and the Tall Tales, Steve Pineo’s various projects and the Du-rite Aces.
Kevin O’Connor (saxophone, narrator)
Kevin O’Connor has been playing saxophone for the Razzama Jazz Big Band for close to twenty years. He has played and performed with many bands in many styles, including jazz, blues and rockabilly. Kevin is also the originator of Music Opens The Mind, which encourages the development of a life interest in music, recognizing that music is a broad field, with many skills and opportunities that do not require the ability to play an instrument or join a band.
This concert is the second in a series of four jazz music concerts during 2019 generously sponsored by:
Music Opens the Mind
