Canadian Mennonite
Volume 11, No. 19
October 1, 2007


Artbeat

Review

Still keeping time

Nelson Boschman Trio celebrates release of Keeping Time Vol. 2

By Angelika Dawson

Special to Canadian Mennonite

ABBOTSFORD, B.C.

The Nelson Boschman Trio released its new CD, Keeping Time Vol. 2, with a concert in Abbotsford, B.C., last month. The trio—pianist Nelson Boschman, bassist Adam Thomas and drummer Kenton Wiens—was joined by special guests, including trumpeter Bria Skönberg. Original artwork by Trevor Wright was projected above the musicians during the concert and the audience was invited to bid on the pieces to aid the work of Communitas Supportive Care Society (formerly MCC Supportive Care Services.)

More than 100 people gathered at the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium in Abbotsford on Sept. 5 to celebrate the release of Keeping Time Vol. 2, the second CD from the Nelson Boschman Trio. The evening also supported Communitas Supportive Care Society (formerly MCC Supportive Care Services.)

In his opening remarks, Communitas executive director Steve Thiessen commented on the richness and symbolism in jazz music that invites listeners to worship in a new way. Jazz has its history in the churches of the Deep South, with people who experienced oppression, he said, adding that it was appropriate that a jazz album would support Communitas, which also works with those who are oppressed, in this case by mental illness.

The concert of hymns, spirituals and original compositions were all linked by the liturgical year.

“It’s the way Christians have kept time for years,” Boschman said as he welcomed the audience. “But it’s also a concept that’s based entirely on a person.”

The audience was then invited to engage the story of Jesus Christ through the music and the visual art and texts that were projected onto a screen behind the musicians. The abstract, symbolic artwork by Abbotsford artist Trevor Wright complemented the music perfectly.

Boschman’s interpretations of traditional hymns like “Angels We Have Heard on High” or spirituals like “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child” give familiar music a freshness that invites the listener to experience the music in a new way. A highlight was “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” which was given a smoky, bluesy treatment. Original compositions like “Returning Home,” with its flowing, melodic piano and strong bass, showed how Boschman has matured as a musician.

Keeping Time Vol. 2 and the original Keeping Time Vol. 1 are available at the Communitas website (communitascare.com/store) and at House of James in Abbotsford.


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