Pianist聽and composer聽and former Schulich student聽罢丑别辞听础产别濒濒补谤诲聽joins the聽lineup聽of聽exciting performers at聽the 2021 Festival聽International de Jazz de Montreal. An outstanding pianist and exceptional performer聽known for his聽virtuosity聽and profound artistic voice,聽Abellard is a musician聽to watch.聽Having聽studied聽and performed throughout the city, he counts聽fellow聽Montrealers聽Oscar Peterson and Paul Bley聽among his聽influences. Playing the Rio Tinto outdoor stage with Tyson Jackson on drums, and wife聽Marie-Ketely聽Abellard on bass, the Theo Abellard Trio聽will transport you聽with their聽singular sound.聽聽
We checked in with Theo as he prepares for the upcoming show. Read on to find聽out the role that Montreal plays in his聽art,聽what聽he聽wants his聽audiences to leave his concerts feeling, and his advice for those on their own musical journey.聽聽
What is 鈥渕aking music鈥� to you?聽
Making music is being in the moment and responding to聽what鈥檚聽going on around and within you.聽
What are some elements that are important to your music creating/playing philosophy?聽
The most聽important element聽of music to me is spirituality and connection to the divine. Bach said that the aim and聽final end聽of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.聽
You鈥檙e聽a Montrealer, born and raised. How has this city and its musicians shaped who you are as an artist?聽
I grew up in Park Extension, which is one of the most ethnically diverse聽neighbourhoods聽in North America, so that聽definitely impacted聽my outlook on life and聽ultimately on聽music. Traditional Indian music is deeply聽ingrained聽in my subconscious just from being exposed to it. A lot of Montreal natives hail from immigrant parents so most of us speak at least three languages: French, English and the language of our parents. That really broadens聽our vision of the world we live in. I personally speak four languages.聽
Do you have any advice for those beginning their journey, or聽continuing on聽their musical path at Schulich?
What I would say is focus on knowledge and take control of your own development. Teachers are聽there聽to suggest聽things to you based on their own experiences and opinions, but聽ultimately you聽know what is best for you 鈥� so connect with that.聽
What are the themes that inspire you most in your music? Have they changed over time?聽
One of the most important themes of my music is聽blackness. We need to reconsider the word 鈥淛azz.鈥澛燭he inventors of this music never called it that way. We have no problem calling traditional Indian music for what it is. But for some reason when it comes to聽blackness聽it always gets awkward.聽
What would you like the audience to walk away with after hearing your music?聽
A sense of healing and peace.聽
Can you describe your compositional and/or playing style in one sentence for us?聽
I can in one word. Worship.聽
You are a multi-hyphenate artist 鈥� pianist, composer, arranger, band leader, and producer 鈥� is there a聽favourite聽on the list or are they complementary?聽How have you been able to add to the list in such聽a short time?聽
I think my generation聽is the generation that can do that. We have access to so much information thanks to the internet. I think聽it鈥檚聽important to be as聽self-sufficient聽as possible聽but also to recognize our strengths. For me聽it鈥檚聽the piano and composition.聽
Is there a song you could listen to on repeat for an entire weekend?聽
Any song by my wife.聽
Is there a tune you would be happy to play every concert?聽
Any tune by my wife.聽
Theo Abellard Trio聽
September 16, 2021, 5:15 p.m.聽
Free - Reservation聽required聽
Theo Abellard, piano
Marie-Ketely Abellard, bass
Tyson Jackson, drums
En Casa: Theo Abellard 鈥淧 & W鈥� (T. Abellard)聽
blackface\battlefield - Theo Abellard
I Want To Talk About You - Mike Bruzzese and Theo Abellard
Apt. 6 MTL - Mic the Ledge Theo Abellard and Marie-Ketely聽Gomes聽
