PERFORMERS
Rob Adlers
Websites: (www.myspace.com/auralplane)
(www.auralplane.com)
Rob started playing piano at the age of four
and has since had the opportunity to learn, perform, and compose music
of various genres including classical, jazz, and ethnic. The natural
pull, however, has always been towards rock and pop. During the late
1990's, Rob began to explore electronic music history and expand his
performance repertoire, which resulted in a passion for older electronic
keyboards.
The history surrounding these instruments has led him back to before
the synthesizer age into the history of organs and organ music.
ORGANic Evolution 1 opened the doors into the realm of pipe organs,
their technology, their temperament, and their awe-inspiring power.
"David Smits and I wanted to show the congregation and other folks,
what the restoration and upgrade efforts to the Casavant organ at St.
Andrews meant. There is a lot of new technology that has never been
showcased, and the organ really has a new life, with new possibilities.
From that show and demonstration, we're now taking forward those promises
and wish to apply them in a proper performance. The most interesting
realization was, that even with all the automation and technology, live
performance is still key to a successful show. You can not take away
the organist."
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David Smits
Website: (www.mypiano.ca)
David Smits was born in 1971 in Latvia into a musical family, the eighth
of sixteen children. He was exposed to music from a young age as his
father, a minister and a human rights activist, organized family performances
that included a family choir, orchestra and other ensembles.
David began his piano studies at the age of eight with James Olsen in
Vancouver, BC, and continued with Peter Zarins at the age of 14 after
moving to Toronto. He has also studied with Arthur Ozolins and James
Anagnason. David won numerous awards and prizes during his years of
study. He has also studied organ under William Wright.
At the age of 14, David became the organist of Latvian Baptist Church
and five years later, Temple Baptist Church, where he directed a black
gospel choir. Since 1994, he has been the organist at St. Andrews Ev
(Latvian) Lutheran Church. David has performed extensively throughout
the Northeastern United States and Canada.
David enjoys improvising and has progressively explored jazz and music
of other cultures.
Like Rob, who makes a living as a computer software analyst, David also
holds a technical position - in the Data Management field. This allows
both Rob and David to stay on top of current and evolving technologies,
and to apply them to the Arts.
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Ken Baird
Websites: (www.myspace.com/kenbairdnet)
(www.kenbaird.net)
Like a good wine or an old friend, the music of Ken Baird can be inviting
and engaging at the same time. US Progressive rock label Kinesis records
said of his second CD Fields; “They just don’t
make them like this anymore”. 4 solo CD’s into his
career and working on a 5th, Ken continues to create his compositions
that combine the intimate with the epic.
A classically trained pianist and a rock keyboard player in high demand,
Ken has recorded and performed with artists such as Ray Lyell, Jacob
Moon, Steve Cochrane and Eden Hill.
Tonight, this performance of the song Orion from Ken’s
third CD of the same name, features singer Sue Fraser (The Travoltas,
Theatre Ancaster) and drummer Chris Lamont (Sass Jordan, Damhnait Doyle,
Wild Strawberries) ORGANic performers Steve Cochrane and Rob Adlers
are featured on Guitar and Bass Keyboards respectively.
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Steve Cochrane
Website: (www.spiritcompass.com)
To sing like Geddy, write lyrics like Neil and play guitar like Alex.
Such were the dreams of a teenaged Steve Cochrane after hearing 2112
for the first time. But six hours of daily practice did not fulfill
these dreams and one by one (and in the above order), they fell by the
wayside. Luckily, the effort was not wasted, as a unique and passionate
voice emerged that had something to say. The field of influences grew
(Genesis, Yes, Renaissance and Mike Oldfield to name a few) and complimented
the budding artist’s palette.
Unfortunately, it was the 80s and there didn’t seem to be a place
in the world for the 25+minute piece about artistic self-discovery and
other ambitious pieces that Steve had written. He would have to create
his own opportunities using the technologies that loomed on the horizon.
Throughout the following decade, he released three independent albums.
Heroes Awaken (1991) with it’s grandiose classical strains
was created almost entirely with a computer and MIDI synthesizers. To
See It Made Real (1995) continued in this vein, but with vocals
on one track and the addition of acoustic and electric guitars throughout.
The Purest of Designs (1998) completed this chapter, blending
the guitars and synths (and more vocals) into symphonic prog epics,
including the 7-part suite Songs For Spring.
Fast-forward to the current century and a new album called With
Or Without. Steve took an acoustic guitar-driven song-based approach
this time, but as the tracks took shape in the studio, the prog/art
rock influences came shining through. You’ll hear it in the intricate
arrangements, fluid guitar stylings and in the lyrics, which are often
surrealistic and philosophical. It is an album best appreciated when
listened to from beginning to end, a rare quality these days. Two tracks
from the album are new renditions of songs that Steve co-wrote in a
band called Endpieces in the early 80s.
Central to this new chapter is the formation of a new band, bringing
Steve Cochrane’s music to the stage once and for all. Look for
them to be playing various venues in the Toronto/Hamilton region and
perhaps beyond in the near future.
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Leif Bloomquist
Website: (www.leifbloomquist.net)
Leif Bloomquist has always been fascinated by the potential of electronic
and computer-generated sounds and music.
Classically trained in clarinet and percussion, he now composes using
sequencing software while incorporating eclectic and home-built
hardware.
His material can be heard in such diverse environments as on CBC Radio
3, ambient music festivals, even gothic nightclubs (and now,
churches). Leif is a founding member of the Independent Electronic Musicians'
Collective, and has released five albums to date through
his Schema Factor and Interweaver projects.
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