Chris Donnelly, Interview with the Talented Pianist – The Person Behind The Portrait
Editorial 2
Juno nominated pianist and composer Chris Donnelly is one of the most captivating and versatile artists on today’s music scene. Trained simultaneously as a classical and jazz pianist, his genre-bending repertoire is an eclectic mix of jazz, ragtime, stride, gospel, improvisation, original compositions and classical music. I have been fortunate to photograph Chris on two separate occasions, over the years. I do not take for granted when an artist trusts me to take their portraits, especially when the job entails displaying both their music and personality.
I am excited to start posting a monthly blog interview with an individual whom I have photographed and have great respect for. Although it is satisfying to show inspiring photographs of a talented artist, it is wonderful for both my audience and myself to learn more about the person behind the portrait.
Chris was kind enough to answer my questions for this blog. He is signed with Alma Records, www.almarecords.com , a reputable Toronto Jazz label. I hope you enjoy viewing past photographs of Chris during our shoots together. This includes some older portraits of our first photo session over 8 years ago.
If you have anything else you would like to ask Chris, feel free to respond at the end of this post. You can check out his website at http://www.chrisdonnellymusic.com/
Be sure to read to the end of this post and receive a chance to win one of his latest CDs!
What and who inspired you to become a professional musician?
The local Toronto jazz scene had a huge influence on me. Rather than spouting out household jazz names that often influence young artists, I prefer mentioning all the local musicians who had a profound influence on me becoming a musician. Here’s an incomplete list, in no particular order:
Brian Dickinson, Ted Warren, Nancy Walker, Jim Vivian, Anthony Pinacci, Kieran Overs, Paul Read, Pat Wheeler, Lorne Lofsky, Kirk MacDonald, Jim Lewis.
OUR SECOND SHOOT TOGETHER
Five to ten years ago, what was the most challenging element that led to where you are today as a recording artist?
Learning to say no.
What are two pieces of advice you would give to young musicians in your genre who are just out of school?
So much advice! Here are two random thoughts:
Boxing yourself is how you learn. It’s a means to limit choice and find creative flow. Try putting yourself in the most narrow of boxes and explore every corner. Then make it slightly bigger. Then find another box.
Recent graduates are used to being boxed by their teachers, but now they have to learn how to box themselves – how to teach themselves.
Second, I once met a woman who had a master’s degree in mathematics and was now making her living teaching piano lessons. She was concerned that her mind was too mathematical to have any artistic value. I strongly disagreed. She’s just as artistic as someone with an “artistic mind,” whatever that means.
My point was that there’s a place for everyone in music (and art). If you like math, then make mathematically inspired music. Music is a means to reflect all personalities and experiences. This includes realms outside of performing, and in combination with other skills – teaching, composing, engineering, production, promotion, managing, presenting, journalism, broadcasting, etc.
My advice to young artists is to discover from day to day, year to year, the best means to reflect themselves. In a diverse world, this is probably one of their biggest challenges (it also reinforces the importance of boxing).
CD COVER PHOTO FROM OUR FIRST SHOOT TOGETHER
What do you hope to see improve in your industry five years from now?
Canadian artists and organizations are very fortunate to have access to grant funding. Over the last eight years I’ve been supported multiple times by the Canada Arts Council, Factor, the Ontario Arts Council and the Toronto Arts Council. I wouldn’t be where I am today without these programs.
When my band Myriad3 tours Europe, we have to apply for grants to cover travel expenses. Touring would be impossible without it. With every tour, we’ve seen an upward trend in revenue and quality of venues we’re performing. We still need to apply for touring grants, but my hope is to eventually phase them out.
Phasing out a band’s reliance on grants is a complicated matter, and beyond the scope of this post. But if it were to happen, it would be a reflection of a stronger industry and network of support at home in Canada. This is an extremely high hurdle, and five years may be ambitious, but I think it’s the next step for Canadian jazz artists.
Is there anything that you are particularly excited about in the coming years with regards to your music?
Myriad3 is releasing a new record next month. This will be our 3rd. We’re hoping it leads to more opportunities in Europe and Japan.
Next year I’m biking across the country. The plan is to perform all along my route. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPeiWFb46gY)
I’m also composing music for an exciting music therapy project. There’s a team at Holland Bloorview, designing music-therapy based video games for kids with motor disabilities. Here’s the story: (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/video-games-a-new-therapeutic-frontier-for-cerebral-palsy/article28532223/)
Is there anything that you are particularly excited about in the coming years with regards to the music industry in general.
Virtual reality technologies! Guaranteed this will inspire new means to making music.
What are you most proud of in your career to date?
That I remained in Canada.
What do you love and appreciate most in your free time?
Right now, Netflix and Mad Men
What is something that the public would be surprised to know about you as a pianist and composer?
I knit. My GF and I made this blanket for my sister – I’ll send a CD to the first person who guesses the character.
MUSIC CONTEST
Thank you so much Chris for being part of my first artist’s blog. Check out Chris’s website to learn more about him and his music. http://www.chrisdonnellymusic.com/
If you want to see a few more cool images of Chris from our shoots together, go to my music promo page.
Do you have any other questions for Chris? Let us know below.
