>>PREVIEW
C-JAZZ CARNIVALE!
Ralf Buschmeyer
Tuesday, September 5
Beat Niq
Local jazz guitarist Ralf Buschmeyer is a mainstay in Calgary’s jazz scene. He’s the co-founder of the successful Manic Thematic duo with bassist John Hyde, co-leader of the group Terrain and he’s had a career that’s drawn on experiences as diverse as sideman work with blues bands to philharmonic orchestras.
Despite the wealth of influences and experiences, Buschmeyer has stayed focused and trusts his own vision and creativity. Now with four CDs to his credit and one more set for release in the near future, Buschmeyer has steadfastly produced his own material.
"On my own CDs I have a clear vision of what I want the songs to sound like and the overall vibe of the thing," he says.
He also has a clear vision of what is crucial for a contemporary jazz musician: original material. This has been essential in Buschmeyer’s time with Terrain, a band formed solely to showcase original compositions. It has also been the foundation for Manic Thematic and it’s fundamental to his philosophy of musicianship.
"I think in order for any music to evolve there has to be original music," says Buschmeyer. "As a player, I think you tend to find your own sound a lot quicker by doing that kind of thing (composing original material). I think composing kind of taps you into a certain place that you wouldn’t necessarily go if you were just a player. You discover more things about yourself, what your capabilities are, what your limits are – being able to push each of those."
Buschmeyer is no stranger to discovering capabilities in himself or others. As one of the best teachers in Mount Royal College’s jazz program, Buschmeyer again applies original ideas about teaching, blending lessons from such jazz legends as Lorne Lofsky, with experiences he’s learned on the road and in the classroom.
"I don’t necessarily use the same techniques that they do (Lofsky and others)," he says. "I’ve kind of come up with my own along the way. I’ve taught myself to think as much as I’ve been taught. When I was on the road, my studying never really stopped…."
"I think that was a big hand in being able to teach others, too. I have to analyze what was effective for me, how did I get through it, and pass that on. I’ve created a lot of my own techniques, I’ve picked up some from other people and it just becomes your own thing after a while."
Original methods and original material require inspiration and motivation. This, too, has remained constant for Buschmeyer – teaching actually completing a creative loop, keeping him as motivated as he was when he was a student.
"I see these other kids who are experiencing that (the motivation he had in college)," Buschmeyer says. "And it just invigorates me to keep my studies going, too. I haven’t stopped learning by any means." |
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