Music by the Sea Residency Programme

In 2012 Music by the Sea  (MBTS) initiated its first in a series of residencies for artists in Bamfield. This programme is a part of our growing vision for MBTS at Bamfield.  Eventually we plan for there to be multiple simultaneous residencies,  creating a community of artists that will be able to enjoy the benefits of solitude and a focused period of time for creation and practice,  but to also choose the benefits of collaborative experiences with other resident artists.  This inaugural residency is a Winter Residency  (January 15 — February 15th),  and we plan to add a Fall Residency as well.

Our first resident in this programme is Chris Donnelly.  He represents a new generation of jazz pianists, composers and improvisers dedicated to creating programs that are engaging, entertaining and educating.   He is continually praised for his virtuosic performances, musicality, versatility and ability to captivate audiences. In September 2008, Chris released his Juno-nominated, debut album with Alma Records called ‘Solo,’ featuring a blend of original material and arrangements of jazz standards.  This also earned him nominations for ‘Best Recording of the Year’ and ‘Best Keyboardist of the Year’ from the 2009 National Jazz Awards.     Other recent highlights include a tour of Western Canada in October 2008, performances at the Calgary and Medicine Hat Jazz Festivals and performances in various concert halls throughout Toronto including Roy Thomson Hall, CBC’s Glenn Gould Studio, MacMillan Theatre, Walter Hall and the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre in the new Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

Chris Donnelly holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the University of Toronto where he studied with David Braid, Gary Williamson, Paul Read, Kirk MacDonald Alexander Rapoport and Russell Hartenberger.  Upon completing his Masters of Music in Jazz Performance at the University of Toronto, Chris was awarded The Tecumseh Sherman Rogers Graduating Award for students ‘deemed to have the greatest potential to make an important contribution to the field of music.’

In 2008, the Canada Council for the Arts awarded Chris with a grant to compose new music based on the works of graphic artist M.C Escher.  With its completion, this project, entitled ‘Metamorphosis,’ will act as a follow-up to his debut recording and will be released in 2010.  Chris is grateful for the continuing support from the Canada Council.

Chris is currently a professor at the University of Toronto and has previously worked as a faculty member at the Humber College Community Music School, Prairielands Jazz Camp and the National Music Camp of Canada.

Music by the Sea will also present Chris Donnelly in concert at the Rix Centre for Ocean Discoveries at 7 pm, Saturday February 4th as a part of his residency. Admission is by donation. Chris is the first artist to take advantage of MBTS’s winter residency programme and one of Canada’s rising jazz stars.  We are delighted and proud to give Bamfielders this opportunity to hear him.

Here are some pictures of Chris in his residency.