January/February 2004
Vol. 36, no. 1
ISSN 1492-4676

International Music Day Celebration

Trevor Clayton, Communications

The familiar lunchtime clacking of high heels, elevator chimes and consumer murmur at 240 Sparks Street provided no orchestral competition to the lush sounds of the Latin jazz group Jazz Police as they began the International Music Day celebrations on October 1.

Presented by Library and Archives Canada (LAC) in conjunction with the Music Day Council, the festivities featured four hours of musical performances from across the musical spectrum on a stage bedecked with LAC promotional material and posters commemorating the National Library’s 50th anniversary. Library and Archives Canada staff were on hand to provide information and answer questions about the LAC music collection and Web site.

"Library and Archives Canada knows how vital a role music plays in the lives of Canadians," said Carole Vanasse, project officer at LAC. "We are committed to the preservation and promotion of our rich musical heritage."

Among their repertoire of Brazilian and Afro-Cuban rhythms, the Jazz Police included a Sergio Mendes-inspired rendition of the Beatles classic "Fool on the Hill." The group consists of Peter Beaudoin, drummer and leader; Mark Ferguson, piano; Dave Arthur, bass; and Peter Foret on guitar. Arthur and Beaudoin have both been involved in music tours for Canadian troops in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Italy.

Performing after Jazz Police was the Ioan Harea String Quartet, a seemingly enormous departure by mall-performance standards, and one that drew curious onlookers to observe with what could be described as puzzled admiration. Led by internationally-renowned violinist, teacher and gypsy music specialist Ioan Harea, the foursome performed an eclectic variety of musical styles, ranging from the classical traditions of Brahms to Bossa Nova great Luis Bonfa, among others. Joining Harea were Brigitte Amy on second violin, Kailey Kemp on viola and Pavwel Szymczyk on cello.

"It’s great that there’s a whole day devoted to music," said Kemp, a music student at the University of Ottawa.

Veteran singer-songwriter and virtuoso guitarist Terry Tufts next took to the stage with his trio (wife Kathryn Briggs on keyboard and Tom McMahon on bass) and performed a set of gentle folk originals. Citing Shakespeare and guitarist Red Shea among his influences, Tufts has been performing professionally since 1974 to the consistent admiration of his peers and the national media. "Art is your culture," he stressed emphatically. "It says a lot about people."

The musical festivities closed with Big City, a rock-and-roll band made up of three members from Jazz Police and keyboardist Ed Bim. Their set began with Van Morrison’s infamous "Brown-Eyed Girl" and was followed by several more vintage hits, all recognized by the afternoon crowd.

Bassist Dave Arthur enthused that each of the members of both Jazz Police and Big City are advocates of diversity in music — groups that understand the "importance of promoting Canada’s musical talent," a sentiment expressed by the day and likely by all Canadians.

For information on Library and Archives Canada’s vast collection of musical Canadiana, visit the Music Division online at www.nlc-bnc.ca/music/index-e.html.