My band, Sidewalk Crusaders, plays the major downtown intersections in Toronto on weekdays in the spring and summer. I do quite a few duo gigs and play with an assortment of jazz musicians. In jazz there’s a standard repertoire that most people know, so you can put together unique bands for each opportunity.
I studied music at York University. I took almost all the jazz courses and learned a mix of jazz, fundamental music theory and music history.
I started getting into jazz when I was around 13. Neither of my parents is musical, so I didn’t have much exposure to jazz growing up, but I was drawn to the improvisation element and that freedom of expression through music. I find that interesting, creative and satisfying.
Before going to York, I had an idea of what it was like to be a musician, but I didn’t know what it meant to be a working musician. York offers courses that focus on building a career – how to be a musician, how to do income taxes, how to apply to festivals.
Since York is not only a jazz school, I learned about a variety of genres. In my first year a prof was really into Balkan music, and in my last year I took a free music course, which is what it sounds like: you set up with a few other people and start playing ideas. By learning this way, music gets into you and stays within you – not to sound too philosophical. Basically, I took in everything I heard and developed into a well-rounded musician who knows more than jazz.
Playing with players I know really well and can interact with and who complement what I’m playing is the best experience. What’s really fun about our band is that because we play pop music, audiences relate to it, so you share that moment and that connection. We play pop covers, but they’re all horn arrangements, so we give the audience something they know while keeping it interesting for us.
I make more money playing with my band than doing recordings and subbing in for rehearsals. The more you play stuff the audience likes, the more money you make. Playing stuff that’s important to you doesn’t pay as well, so there is that conflict between creativity and making money. You have to try to be yourself and be creative without limiting your audience too much.
A way to build your following is by keeping them updated on social media. That’s really important for getting everyone out to your shows. In Toronto there’s a huge group of musicians who are passionate about jazz. Marketing courses help, but you still have to find a way to be creative on your own. No course will teach you, “Go start a band playing pop tunes.”
Where To Study: Music
Algonquin College (Ottawa) Music industry arts: $2,787.10/term (plus fees). algonquincollege.com
Brock University (St. Catharines) Music: $6,652/year (plus fees). brocku.ca
Carleton University (Ottawa) Bachelor of music: $7,485.80 bachelor of arts in music: $6,991.80/year (plus fees). carleton.ca
Fanshawe College (London) Music industry arts: $3,540.64/term music recording arts: $4,853.29/term. fanshawec.ca
Harris Institute (Toronto) Audio production program: $5,550 for level 1. harrisinstitute.com
Humber College (Toronto) Bachelor of music: $8,258.80/year. humber.ca
Lakehead University (Thunder Bay) Honours bachelor of music, honours bachelor of arts (music): $6,867.26/year. lakeheadu.ca
McMaster University (Hamilton) Bachelor of arts, music: $6,991.12/term. mcmaster.ca
Queen’s University (Kingston) Bachelor of music, bachelor of arts: 7,065.03/program. queensu.ca
Seneca College (Toronto) Independent music production: $7,863/year. senecacollege.ca
University of Guelph Bachelor of arts in music: $3,444.03/semester. uoguelph.ca
University of Ottawa Baccalaureate in music bachelor of music: $3,259.45/semester. uottawa.ca
University of Toronto Bachelor of music: $6,010/year (plus fees). utoronto.ca
University of Waterloo Bachelor of music: $6,100/year (plus fees). uwaterloo.ca
University of Western Ontario (London) Bachelor of music, bachelor of musical arts: $7,271.93/year (plus fees). uwo.ca
University of Windsor Bachelor of arts bachelor of music: $3,570.55/semester (plus fees). uwindsor.ca
Wilfrid Laurier University (Waterloo) Honours bachelor of music: $4,553.20/term (plus fees). wlu.ca
York University (Toronto) Music: $6,907/year (plus fees). yorku.ca
