CollaborationS
FIELD NOTES
Myriad conversations about wonder are at the heart of this album. The recorded music is just one part of a bigger community exploration of wonder, neighbourhood and ceremony.
Participants, whether musicians or speakers, were invited to share how ‘wonder’ impacts their lives. How does wonder play into your life? Where does it take you?
Conversations were recorded over the course of two days. And then, over another two days, Field Notes listened to the interviews and played/composed music in response to the voices. The whole experience was captured live in the sanctuary of MacKay Church, and led to the release of this instrumental album.
Themes were as varied as solar eclipses, bird-watching, politics, childbirth, gardening, philosophy, homemaking. Music was playful then solemn, echoing with folk and hymn melodies while largely composed spontaneously. Songs emerged fully formed, resonating warmly amongst the musicians while evoking so many of the spoken words. In the background there were specific Canadian literary sources inspiring the project: Tim Lilburn, Wallace Edwards, Jan Zwicky, Dennis Lee.
A selection of the spoken words and improvised music is now part of a geo-located audio walk that is available at sonicmaps.xyz . This embedded experience of neighbourhood wonder now exists ethereally over the streets and parkland of Ottawa’s New Edinburgh neighbourhood.
Full podcast interviews with the sixteen people who spoke will be shared in 2025 at www.mackayunited.ca as part of the 150th anniversary of that congregation’s life in Ottawa.
Every step of this journey has affirmed the power of wonder as a source of creativity and connection. Field Notes’ WONDER is an expression of how this powerful quality touches our shared lives as neighbours, artists and friends.
Field Notes
Peter Woods: tenor & soprano saxophone
Kyle Jordan: guitar
Chris Pond: double bass
José García: drums
Rob Graves: percussion
Voices: Jodi Fisher, Ralph Hesse, Mike T Kerr
WOODS AND GUMMESON
Woods and Gummeson
Warm and conversational, the two musicians create musical conversations blending swing, soul and wonder. Music that listens as much as it sings.
Highlighted work includes performances at The Rideau Club, The Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Speakeasy Tapas Lounge, Café Earle, MacKay Church.
Check the Gigs tab to see where they are next.
