Two Centretown musicians to perform at Ottawa Jazz Festival

Date Posted: Wednesday June 21, 2006

Written by Lois Siegel

Based in Ottawa, the Impressions in Jazz Orchestra brings together many of Ottawa's finest jazz and symphony orchestra musicians under the direction of conductor and bassist Adrian Cho. The orchestra performs original compositions and significant jazz works, including music written for the orchestras of Duke Ellington and Stan Kenton.

Mark Rehder plays the drums. And he's no newcomer. He's been at it for 41 years. From Montreal, Mark started on the drums when he was only 6-years-old. "Some of the best music ever written was actually played on the radio at the time. Not really the case nowadays," he says. He joined the Impressions in Jazz Orchestra in December, 2005. He's been a professional musician for 26 years. Mark cites the advantages of playing in a big orchestra, "Hugh, wonderful sounds that can almost overwhelm, and lots of choices for mixing of tone colours. And great fun to drum for."

What does he like about living in Centretown? "I like the fact that much of what I do is based here or nearby. I mostly live a car-free lifestyle, and being centrally located helps make this happen."

Paul Christian is a new addition to Impressions in Jazz Orchestra. He plays trombone and started 17 years ago when he was 10. Paul works as a policy analyst for the government. He's from Richmond, British Columbia. Explaining how Impressions in Jazz Orchestra differs from other orchestras, Paul says, "It is not like a big band due to the addition of non-jazz orchestra instruments: strings, French Horns."

As his best experience, he cites, "Jamming with saxophonist Joshua Redman at the 2005 Ottawa International Jazz Festival." What does Paul like about living in Centretown? "The canal, the amenities and the night life."

LOIS SIEGEL is a filmmaker, photographer, musician, and writer who teaches Video Production at the University of Ottawa. She was chosen as one of nine photographers to shoot the Rolling Stones concert in Ottawa, 2005.