>JAKE'S HOMEPAGE >> MUSIC

I've been a performing musician for more than 50 years now.

My mom taught classical piano when I was a kid, and I was always a bit fascinated at the time about how people learned to do this seemingly difficult and definitely beautiful thing. I wanted in.

I took up violin at age 10, and that was the start. Since then I have taken up guitar, mandolin, bass, lapsteel guitar, and 'ukulele. Not that I'm particularly good at any of these instruments, but you do pick up a few tricks over the years.

My abiding interest, however, seems to be singing. I love big melodies and lyrical content that has something worth saying. So, over the years that has led me to performing music that is probably not so much in the mainstream of popular taste, though often not that far off. My interest in Hawaiian music is the latest indulgence of these attractions.

Over the years I have performed both solo and with many ensembles, covering many styles of music. The band work has mostly focused on country, pop/rock, and folk. A couple of highlights for me were the Greek rembetica band Kefi and the Hawaiian music band Malihini Boys, both based in Victoria, B.C.

In endeavors associated with being a performing musician I have played and sung on several recordings, conducted a sound reinforcement business, and conducted a sound recording business. For several years, I booked the entertainment for the weekly meetings of the Victoria Folk Music Society.

Due to more restricted performing opportunities where I now live, I don't perform as much as I used to. I'm hoping this will change as I work my way into the local music community.

Here are some links to more details about my musical life: