About

Ian has been a Canadian composer and musical performing artist of amazing diversity for 3 decades, composing and performing music for theatre, film, animation, musical artists, events, education, holidays and more. Ian began his career upon completion of his undergraduate degree in music when he became the music director and resident composer at the School of Dramatic Art at the University of Windsor from 1988 until 1995.

In the late 1990’s he began a 10 year international collaboration with the Japanese traditional ensemble, ‘Shikandaza” representing Canada as they developed a new fusion of western and eastern sound called “Japanese Jazz”.

During this time he also released CD’s under his own name in the smooth jazz style and produced and composed music for other’s CD releases. He has composed music for children’s musicals, major music theatre works, choral cantatas, and film projects.

All the while he has also been incredibly active in his local and the international community performing in theatres, night clubs and restaurants while musically directing theatre productions and leading various choral and instrumental ensembles.

As a lecturer Ian has encouraged and motivated others internationally to cultivate their talents to the utmost.

Ian is actively composing music in many styles and is currently seeking opportunities to compose music for film and television and other media.

Instrumental Music for Film and Television

As well as composing and producing music for himself and other performing musical artists and groups, Ian has composed and crafted music for film, television, theatre, music theatre, advertising and more for over 30 years.

Recently, when not working on a project, Ian has been composing music to add to his Music Media Library. This library is available for licensing.

Instrumental Library Examples

The following musical examples are from my Media Music Library. They are instrumental underscores for a variety of different moods and genres in television and film / media.

CD’s & Single Recordings

Freedom CD

My Freedom CD is the culmination of numerous musical and non musical experiences that I have had throughout my life culminating in this unique and pleasing smooth jazz / fusion sound.

It was a coming of age for me and a celebration of the musicians and mentors that have shared so much with me over the years. Some incredible musicians and singers joined me in the making of this CD, such as: Lorenzo Spoons Brown (Percussion) Marcus Belgrave, (Trumpet) Ray Manzerolle (Saxophones) Tom Suthers (Tenor Sax) Phillip Seguin (Trumpet) Tom Powers (Saxophones) Mike Stone (Trombone)  Osee Anderson (Guitar) Vic Bortolon (Guitar) Ron Otis (Drums) Kenneth Gaddis (Drums) Jimi Ali (Bass) John Barron (Bass)Harold Thomas (Vocals)  Kymberly Wright (Vocals) Evette Slaughter (Vocals) Richard Night (Vocals) Leslie McCurdy (Vocals) Joan Charette (Vocals) It was mixed by Larry Thompson.

This CD enjoyed time in the “Top Ten” in several smooth jazz radio markets. I hope you enjoy the music from Freedom.

Shikandaza

One of the most important turning points in my life both musically and personally was the introduction to Japan by my friend Steve Myers. He introduced me to Japanese culture and to the traditional Japanese music ensemble called “Shikandaza” from Kyoto Japan.

It was that introduction that sparked a 10 year collaboration and the creation of 2 CD releases of new innovative cross cultural music. We enjoyed almost a decade of global performances at jazz festivals and concert appearances which resulted  in the creation of a new kind of sound called “Japanese Jazz”.

I hope you enjoy the music from our two CD’s  entitled “On The Bridge” and “Crossroads”

On The Bridge

Crossroads

This bonus Shikandaza track is entitled One Happy Family which is exactly what we felt like… One big happy musical family. It was the hope that our projects would help promote cultural understanding and respect and truly allow the world to take one step closer to being one happy family.

Hope

If there is one thing that makes us individually strong yet ties us together, it is the concept of hope. When one loses hope there is an evacuation of the soul’s direction and source for living. Hope is at the essence of all we do as it gives us something to strive for.  This piece was originally called “Matuamini” which is Swahili for Hope. Originally I was going to have a Swahili choir sing on the recording, however when it turned into an instrumental piece I used the english title “ Hope”.

There are little musical tidbits of Hope spread throughout the entire arrangement of this recording. I hope you can find them.

Thanks for listening.

My Everything

This song My Everything was co written with my friend, guitarist Ralph Brown and is kind of a timeless  smooth jazz,  R & B type of rhythmic ballad.  The lyrics and  melody was written by Ralph and I rounded out the equation with some melodic and lyrical contributions as well as the arrangement and production and lead vocal. It was mixed by my friend Larry Thompson This song not only can be looked upon as a love song to a spouse or girlfriend / boyfriend but also can be seen as a song of thanks and acknowledgement of the saving grace of God.

One World One Family

One World One Family is a plea to all of humanity to stop the warring, the violence and the divisive thinking and once again realize, and continue to realize that we are all part of one race called the human race. Can we ever work together to solve the problems of this world? Surely we can for it is the only way we will stop our destruction.

This contemporary vocal ensemble piece of music is very positive in its message and both innovative and pleasing in its sound.

Progress

Jazz music has always been a fusion of a variety of musical style into one, amalgamating in dialogue the musical words of two or more in conversation. It can join neighbourhoods, cultures and nations with its very wide demographic audience and appeal.

This piece, “Progress” sets its scene in the present day with the use of electronic keyboard samples and a few tastefully used loops amidst the traditional jazz fusion instrumentation. I tried to emulate the feeling of progress musically, but one that is well rooted in the sound of Jazz Fusion. This song however could work just as well with an acoustic Jazz trio consisting of Piano upright bass and drums.

The Gift You Are

The bond between a mother and daughter is a special one indeed. In this song, composed with my gifted wife and lyricist Lois Rindlisbacher Smith, we definitely capture that love. The song is in a contemporary country feel with each verse  set in a different stage of their relationship. This song is a universal celebration of that love.

Religious Music

Crucify A Dramatic Easter Musical

This cantata or dramatic musical was Composed with my lovely wife and lyricist Lois Rindlisbacher Smith.  It is an Easter collection of songs called “Crucify A Dramatic Easter Musical”  and it is an epic choral work with soloists and narration set in a pop orchestral setting, borrowing from a variety of musical styles. The last days of Jesus life are depicted musically and as the story unfolds so does the music with some heart wrenching lyrics sung on a poignant theme, or in a joyous melody with triumphant lyrics. We hope you enjoy listening to this emotionally moving musical work.

It All Began In Bethlehem

I composed “It All Began In Bethlehem” with my beautiful wife and lyricist Lois Rindlisbacher Smith. It is a dramatic Christmas musical or Cantata featuring choir and soloists and narration set in a unique, upbeat, easy listening, pop orchestral, concert style collection. We hope to take you on a musical journey telling the story in song about the birth of Jesus using contemporary harmonies and sophisticated rhythms and melodies. Here are some musical excerpts from It All Began In Bethlehem.

Hymnsongs

“Hymnsongs” is a musical collection of hymns, praise and worship songs arranged for and played live in an improvisational manner on piano. I recorded the CD as a response to a request from my church congregation.

I tried to utilize a variety of pianistic styles on this recording. Some of it is very fun as well as thoughtful. I hope you enjoy listening.

Come On Get Ready

This fun children’s “sing along” song called “Come On Get Ready” was composed together with my amazing wife and lyricist Lois Rindlisbacher Smith for the Hong Kong Church Music Association summer music camp in 2019. It is in reference to the concept of the church (body of believers)  being the bride of Christ. It is referenced in the Bible many times in many books. It is a great Sunday school song.

Breathe On Me Oh Breath Of God

I was given the opportunity to write this arrangement of the familiar hymn “Breathe On Me Breath Of God” when I was asked to speak at a Worship Symposium in 2017 during Pentecost.  I decided that the arrangement would mimic the many voices of the Pentecost. Breathe On Me Breath Of God is the the perfect text to paint the musical images of the spirit descending upon people and sweeping them up in joy. It is juxtaposed between 6/8 and 3/4 time to give some rhythmic tension just as the rhythm of those many tongues might imply.

Theatrical Music

Spirit of a Nation

This is another excellent and gratifying project that I was able to compose and orchestrate  music for.  “Spirit Of A Nation” is an epic musical in the style of Les Miserable.  It is set amidst the war of 1812 in what is now Essex County in Ontario just south of Detroit Michigan. War always has stories to tell and this musical about war is no different. It opens with the sounds of a wedding weeks before the war.  The guests and friends attending, are the very same people who will fight against each other when the war begins soon thereafter.

The creation of this musical was made possible through a grant from the Canadian government in support of the Bicentennial of the war.

Here are some musical examples for you to enjoy.

Carla Can Sing

It was an honour to be a part of the project brilliantly and humbly created by Barbara Parry called “Carla Can Sing”. It was originally created as a CD recording and Book as an artistically creative way to inform and empower children who are living with cancer. The main character’s name is Carla and she likes to sing when she is happy.

A few years after the initial release, I was contracted to  write a script and music for an animated DVD under the same name, “Carla Can Sing”.  The animation, story and music especially the fun and serious songs allow the viewer to experience what Carla and Carl and their friends feel as they deal with cancer.

These are important projects to be involved in because when we are able to use our gifts for good, it brings such fulfillment compositionally.

Ebony and Ivory

Early in my career I had the fortunate experience to be involved in a project creating music for a musical theatre duo committed to racial harmony called Ebony and Ivory. The following examples are from a children’s musical by the same name.

Interested in working with me? Contact me today.