Three world renowned musicians with three different styles of music came together at one venue to create an evening of music that warmed the heart and the soul.
The combination of jazz, baroque and folk music had concert-goers tapping their feet, clapping their hands, snapping their fingers and singing along from the first strum of the guitar to the last key played on the piano.
Over 80 music lovers of all ages filled the renovated church, now the home/music studio of Drayton bassoonist Nadina Mackie Jackson, to hear a home concert titled Folk to Baroque.
Three Canadian musicians headlining the event were folk legend Valdy, jazz pianist Karel Roessingh and Mackie Jackson. Local musicians Randy Smart and Lucas Rogerson opened the concert with solo performances of a variety of songs including their own original pieces.
Valdy, Roessingh and Mackie Jackson performed as a trio and individually throughout the evening. Roessingh credits Valdy’s great instincts around putting music and people together in forming the trio.
With Valdy performing on Mackie Jackson’s album Caliban Does Christmas and Mackie Jackson and Roessingh on Valdy’s album Read Between the Lines, it seemed a natural fit for the three musicians.
“Putting these three types of music together is a challenge for all of us. It doesn’t happen often but it is fun when we get together,” Roessingh said.
A singer, songwriter, guitarist and bassist, Valdy has been part of the Canadian music scene for over four decades.
The recipient of numerous musical awards and the Order of Canada, he performs 200 concerts a year with 95% of his concerts taking place in Canada. The mellow voice that captured Canadian hearts with Play Me a Rock and Roll Song in the 1970s is still vibrant and strong today.
In an interview with the Wellington Advertiser, Valdy talked about his music career while setting up lighting for the evening show and reminiscing with Roessingh and Mackie Jackson.
“I’m a sound man but I’m learning about lighting,” Valdy said. “The music creates the impression on the audience, not the musician. If it touches the audience, it touches me.
“I try to set up an environment with my music that is comfortable for everyone. Each venue is different and I adjust accordingly.”
Valdy went on to say, “The order of songs I’m playing is always taped to my guitar but I rarely follow it. Everything depends on the crowd’s response to the songs I play. A good musician reads the audience.”
Valdy said he preferred to play solo as he had the freedom to take the show where he wanted to. However, he noted that valuable experience is gained when playing with other musicians. He conceded he learned new things every day and is currently writing the story of his life.
“My favourite song? When I get asked that I always say, it’s the song that I just wrote. Right now, it’s Rolling North on Highway 63. It’s a song about the folks in Fort McMurray who experienced the devastating fire this summer,” Valdy said.
Although he’s had the odd magical moment in his career, Valdy’s interactions with other musicians are his highlights. Communicating through music with a Cuban piano player who did not speak English, giving a pink blanket to a musician from Texas found shivering in his vehicle on a cold Canadian winter night and performing in Iron Curtain countries are all experiences he cherishes.
A composer, arranger, producer and musician, Roessingh has written or co-written scores for over 500 television episodes, award winning films, documentaries and promotional videos. He also performed with symphony orchestras, rock, jazz, folk, show and country ensembles throughout the world in small town bars, concert halls and on battleships and cruise ships.
“I’ve had lucky breaks,” Roessingh said. “I got a teaching degree with plans to be a high school teacher and play in the off hours. I never did teach and my music career took off.
“I love playing and am able to make a living without travelling too far from my home in Highlands, BC.”
During an interview with the Wellington Advertiser, the soft spoken Roessingh said he preferred not to tour but it all depended on who he was touring with and the circumstances surrounding the tour.
“I’m known as a jazz musician but I do like folk. Jazz music is not largely written down, making it spontaneous and no two performances are the same,” Roessingh said.
Roessingh enjoyed the cultural identity of Drayton, citing ivy climbing up a house wall and the “Village Philosopher” sign hung over a door on Wellington Street as examples, as well as the fact there are no large stores.
Aside from his musical talents Roessingh has served two terms as mayor and is currently on his fourth term as councilor in Highlands, BC. His passion for his community was evident when he said, “I didn’t get into politics for the money; you don’t make enough when you think about all the hours you commit to the position.
“I care about the community and want to protect it from development. It’s a rural municipality that needs to remain rural.”
Bassoonist, visual artist, writer and host of the house concert Mackie Jackson entered university at the age of 16, and was introduced to the bassoon. By the age of 22, she won a position with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. After 10 years with the orchestra, Mackie Jackson joined the Canadian Opera Company Orchestra playing the baroque bassoon.
In 2000, she stared her solo career and is currently Canada’s most widely-recorded solo bassoonist. Mackie Jackson has taught in universities across North America. As an artist she has produced large paintings for the children’s show Darwood’s Wild bassoon.
The evening concert consisted of Valdy’s popular music and newer releases including a tribute to Canadian legend Stompin’ Tom Connors titled Tom We Miss You. Roessingh’s original composition Thrift Shopping added to the humour evident all evening.
An energetic performance of Vivaldi’s Concerto No 27 in E Flat Major by Mackie Jackson was among the evening’s highlights.
A standing ovation from the audience and the song, Dreams about You ended the evening.
Mackie Jackson along with Valdy and Roessingh will be performing an encore performance in April 2017.
