|
JUBILATION!
The
Jubilation Choir is celebrating twenty-five years of glorious singing.
Trevor Payne - Founder, Director, recipient of the Order of Canada and
numerous other awards visits with The Montrealer
By
Peter Kerr
Born one of five children in
Barbados, Trevor Payne’s life journey brought him to Montreal where he
grew up in Rosemount; became a successful rock ’n’ roll band leader and
musician; studied music at McGill; continued in linguistics at
Université de Laval; Black Music History at Howard University; and
eventually founded the world famous Montreal Jubilation Choir. Here’s
the story of his talent being discovered and nurtured, his musical
travels, and his faith.
|
The Montreal Jubilation Choir Christmas Concert is a happy tradition for Montrealers of many faiths
|
“My
father played clarinet and saxophone in the Barbados Police Band
– he worked on the police force as a detective. So I guess I have
music in my genes,” remarks Trevor at the beginning of our
interview. “Hundreds if not thousands of men from Barbados joined
the Canadian forces during WWII in part because of the promise of
immediate Canadian Citizenship after the war. My father was one of
those soldiers.”
Trevor continues; “After the war, my father came to Montreal and
got a job as a porter with CN, working in Windsor Station. He then
brought my mother and two older brothers; and then a few years later my
other brother, me and our grandmother who had been looking after us
during this four year transition period. Along the way my sister was
born in Montreal – completing the 5 children family.”
Looking out the window at his
snow-covered back garden, Trevor notes; “My mother sent us a picture of
her bundled up in a winter coat, hat, scarf and gloves. It frightened
me. We had no concept of that kind of cold.”
“My father was a
strong-willed man and he insisted on us growing up anywhere but
downtown; where most kids were lucky to make it to 12 without getting
in trouble with the authorities. |
Trevor at the piano |
He was afraid of the influences we
would find in places like Rockhead’s Paradise and the pool rooms of St.
Henri. Lots of people grew up fine, like Oliver Jones and Oscar
Peterson – but that was my father’s thinking.”
Trevor
continues; “We moved to Rosemount – where we encountered a whole lot of
other problems as the only black family in the neighbourhood. Kids
calling us all kinds of name on the way to school – you name it. My Dad
encountered criticism from his co-workers, who thought that he
considered himself above them by choosing to live in Rosemount.”
“We
were far from rich – but not poor. My mother had several jobs. She
cleaned toilets in Simpson’s, made sandwiches at Windsor Station, and
took in sewing."
Trevor’s exposure to music was almost
accidental. “When I was 9 or 10, we spent the Christmas Holidays with
another Barbadian family living in Longeuil. They had a piano, and I
started picking our notes of songs playing on the radio. By the end of
two weeks, I was playing along with both hands.”
Upon returning
to Rosemount, his father said that he heard that Trevor had been
playing the piano very well during the holidays.
|
Professor Trevor Payne C.M. – “I find inspiration in the music of Mahalia Jackson and Ray Charles”
|
“He asked if I’d like
to take lessons. I thought that this was remarkable – my father was
asking my opinion and offering me a choice – something he didn’t
usually do.” Chuckling at the memory, Trevor continues; “I thought this
was quite adult, and so I replied that I didn’t want to take lessons.
In my own ‘adult’ analysis; I figured that I was saving him some money
and that he’d be pleased with my reasoned response. Instead, he told me
to go to my room and stay there until I changed my mind.”
“I
started my lessons with a lady a few blocks away. We didn’t have a
piano – so she let me come an hour early to practice before my lesson.
After 3 or 4 months she told my father that she had done all she could,
and that I should go on to a higher level with another teacher.”
“I
was enrolled in La Conservatoire Royale du Musique on Ontario Street,
and it wasn’t too long before my teacher recommended that I go to
McGill.” Trevor sighs, “All the while I said to myself; ‘I’m not
enjoying this.’ It was the sixties; I was a teenager and I wanted to
play rock ‘n’ roll.”
“I got a job playing at Roberto’s Lodge
in St. Adolphe and that was it for me. I eventually put together a band
called Trevor Payne and the Triangle, with Gerry Mercer on drums (now
with April Wine), Rayburn Blake on guitar, and Pierre Senecal on
keyboards.”
The band was booked by the then fledgling impresario
Donald K Donald. “Donald still comes to our concerts. If it wasn’t for
him, I might never have followed this path.” Trevor enthuses about his
long-time friend; “Donald is the sweetest guy in the world – with a
heart equally big. He gave so many of us a start.”
However the
rock ‘n’ roll business began to wear thin for Trevor. “I felt that I
had to improve my skills as a musician, and that I’d be able to play a
better brand of rock ‘n’ roll.” It was time for Trevor to go back to
McGill. “I had every intention of becoming a better musician, and then
coming back to rock music.”
‘Life’ - and Daisy Peterson Sweeny would soon change those plans.
“Daisy
Peterson Sweeney, Oscar Peterson’s sister was the ‘de facto’ piano
teacher for black kids in St Henri. She taught Oscar, Oliver Jones and
many, many more.” Trevor leans forward to make sure I'm getting this
right. “Daisy used to have group classes for kids who couldn’t afford
individual lessons. She'd take just 25 or 50 cents, and knowing that
these kids didn’t have a piano at home, she’d give them as little as 4
bars to learn a week. She’d have recitals where a kid would only have
to play one page – because she knew the importance of performance.”
“I
was studying music at McGill and Daisy called me saying; ‘Trevor, I’m
going to have my yearly piano recital at Union United Church. I’d like
you to come and show these kids that there is so much more available to
them. You’re studying music at a university level, and I want you to
play the violoncello’.”
Trevor laughs; “I really didn’t want to
play the violoncello; and I suggested that it would be better if I
taught her students a song and that I’d conduct their performance.”
More laughter from Trevor; “I’d do anything to get out of playing that
violoncello!”
So – with Daisy’s agreement – her class would
sing a song under Trevor’s guidance. “At the first rehearsal; there
must have been 30 or 40 kids – some weren’t even Daisy’s students. The
audience at Union United Church went berserk! We did an encore and had
to sing the same song again…”
This was good news for the Church,
and shortly thereafter the Minister telephoned Trevor; and asked him to
organize a permanent youth choir. Trevor was studying in Boston during
the summer of ’74 and he assembled material that he could use in the
coming fall for the choir.
Much to everyone’s pleasant
surprise 60 youth presented themselves at the first audition. “I was
overwhelmed – I threw up my arms and said – ‘You’re all in the choir –
let’s get started’. This was the beginning of The Montreal Black
Community Youth Choir.”
The 75th Anniversary of Union United
Church was in 1975, and the congregation had a major celebration
planned. For the anniversary, Trevor was asked if he could include the
senior members of the choir as an intergenerational choir. It was to be
a momentous occasion.
In October, 1982, with Trevor Payne
conducting and Oliver Jones playing the organ, the Montreal Black
Community Youth Choir and the Union United Church Choir performed
together as The Montreal Jubilation Choir.
That performance
would mark a major change in many lives: Trevor Payne as Director and
Choirmaster; the Choristers; and in the years to come – the many young
musicians who would come to accompany the choir. Little did they know
that The Montreal Jubilation Choir would perform for hundreds of
thousands of people; travel the world; win competitions and provide a
lifetime of musical enjoyment and fulfillment for each member. Each one
with a story; a passion for singing; and a pride in their dedication -
coming together for the joyful purpose of singing as one wonderful and
powerful voice.
The first album was recorded in 1985, again with
Oliver Jones contributing. Since then there have been a total of 11
recordings; including the newest release – Jubilation XI – a
compilation of 12 favourite recording over the past 25 years.
Oliver
Jones comments; “Trevor has done so much for so many people;
encouraging young musicians who have played with the choir, giving a
chance for talented singers to gain recognition, and providing a
wonderful opportunity for musical fulfillment for those members who are
happy singing in the choir.”
Still true to its origins, The
Jubilation Choir donates a significant amount of money to charity
organizations. “With just the proceeds from our Christmas concerts”
Trevor notes, “we have donated well over $one million to community
organizations including: Sun Youth, St Columba House, The Old Brewery
Mission, Dans La Rue, Chez Doris, and Alcoholics Anonymous. We have
donated almost all the seats for Friday night’s performance this year,
either as free tickets or as tickets sold by an organization as a
fundraiser – we give the tickets – they sell them and keep the money.”
Along
the way, Trevor was awarded the Order of Canada. In a voice choked with
emotion, “You cannot – I mean you absolutely cannot imagine what that
award means to me. There are twenty to thirty thousand nominations a
year; which are narrowed down to twenty, thirty or fifty awards.”
“There
I was, sitting amongst UN Ambassadors, and some very dedicated people.
When I leaned forward to receive my award, I whispered in
Governor-General Romeo Leblanc’s ear; ‘I have no idea why I’m here. His
reply; ‘That’s what most people say – let me assure you that we don’t
just give these away…’ Indeed they don’t. The 10 Supporting Reasons for
Trevor’s investiture include his contributions to Montreal’s Black
Community, founding the Montreal Jubilation Choir, his teaching,
leadership and motivation of young students at John Abbott College, his
role as a mentor to young Black students, his significant fundraising
efforts for community groups, and his enhancement of Canada’s
international image.
Later at the celebratory dinner, Trevor was
seated beside the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, who is the
Chairman of the selection committee. “I found out that he was a huge
fan of The Jubilation Choir.” Trevor had asked his mother to accompany
him to the Awards ceremony at Rideau Hall; “They treated her like Queen
Elizabeth!”
During our conversation it is apparent that Trevor
is a deeply spiritual man. “My Grandmother lived her faith as a totally
committed Christian, and it affected me. You cannot grow up in a black
family and not be aware of spirituality.”
“I don’t think you
can be an artist without having a strong sense of spiritually.”
Continuing; “When we’re performing, we have Christians, Jews, Muslims,
and everyone else up singing and dancing. They’re all reading from the
same book! To me – this is what spirituality is all about. That’s what
God meant. This is about Jesus who walked amongst everybody.”
Outside of music, Trevor has a passion for cooking, gardening, and chess, having studied with Russian master Roman Pelts.
Who
knew that the 10 year old boy picking out popular songs on a friend’s
piano would have such a magnificent impact on so many people’s lives –
sharing the joy of Gospel Music with a spectrum of people that includes
Queen Elizabeth, Nelson Mandela and the audiences at The Montreal
International Jazz Festival, the world’s largest jazz festival. It’s
the thoughtfulness of providing free tickets for the Christmas Concert
at St. James United Church to people a little down on their luck -
seeking peace and inspiration with the music of the Jubilation Choir -
that provides a glimpse of this man’s humanity, his humility, and his
faith. Thank you Trevor - for giving us so much joy.
For more
information about The Montreal Jubilation Choir, their recordings and
Professor Trevor Payne C.M., please visit the website: www.jubilationchoir.com
|
|
|
