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A Midsummer Night’s Magic

by Katy Baker, August 17, 2007

This is my third visit to the Gentle Island as they call it and my second appearance at the Indian River Festival. I have been looking forward to making music in the splendour of St. Mary’s Church for months.

Once off the plane, one can’t help but immediately notice the relaxed atmosphere and tranquility that surrounds PEI. I slip into it quite easily from the rush and excitement of the "big city", Toronto. There will be one day of rehearsals and then the concert the next. I am thrilled about performing in more of a "chamber" setting this time, which for me means assembling a combo of voice, piano and bass – no drums. In the world-renowned acoustic of St. Mary’s Church this is an ideal jazz ensemble and one that offers up more intimacy between the musicians and the audience.

Once again I am warmly welcomed by everyone at the Festival and know that we will all be in the best hands and hearts. Our “un-amplified” rehearsal goes well, although we eagerly anticipate the expertise and great ears of our sound technician Gardiner MacNeill, a stalwart of the Festival and one of the most talented and sensitive sound technicians I have ever worked with. And when the day of the show has arrived and we have had a wonderful sound check, we are ready to "hit the stage".

Outside in the field, the bagpiper’s song signals the start of the concert - a lovely tradition at Indian River - and as a warm crowd welcomes us into the hall, we begin to make music. And it just flows. Everything and everyone has come together…I and pianist Dave Restivo from Toronto and bassist Pat Reid (who grew up in Charlottetown) from Montreal. We have never played together as a trio but I have worked with both musicians separately and knew this would be a "dream team".

In this idyllic setting, nothing that evening feels like "work" but rather like a play of joy and love for the music and a desire to share it with our Island audience. The sun is setting - or is it "settling" - into a smooth sunset as performers and audience settle in with each other and into a musical embrace.

This is one of those rare occasions where in spite of the physical separation of performer and audience, I never feel a distance from anyone for even one moment. There is a saying among performers, but tonight I don’t know how it goes…is the audience in our lap or are we in theirs? It really doesn’t matter – it’s a mutual love affair and we are one.

And when the concert is over and we receive a rousing PEI ovation, I have a deep sense of gratitude and wonderment about the ease with which it all happened. It seemed like an effortless dance with perfect and brilliant support from all sides…Dave to my right, Pat to my left and the audience in front.

This musical experience at the truly unique Indian River Festival is one of the highlights of my career – a Midsummer Night’s Magic from beginning to end.