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I believe that music is everyone’s second language. It can touch us more deeply than 

words alone can not always do. And music has always been a big part of my life.

 

My introduction to music really began when I was a toddler listening to my Dad sing 

while he was shaving. Only when I was older, would I realize that he was singing old jazz 

standards like Ain’t Misbehavin’  that he had sang as a young actor/singer in London. And 

so at age six, my mother enrolled me in piano lessons which I enjoyed very much right from 

the start. I ended up studying mainly classical piano until the age of 16, when my heart was 

taken by rock n’ roll and I started a band with some high school friends. 

 

University, marriage and the arrival of two beautiful children followed in quick 

succession. Afterwards, I finally made it to music school at the local community college, 

studying music theory and arranging.  At around the same time, I began taking piano

lessons from a professional jazz pianist who taught me the basics of stride piano and jazz

harmony.  All of the above gave me the ability and the confidence to start my own group and

we started to perform some of my own songs. The band Unit-E was formed. Our first album, 

titled ONE WORLD, was completed by the mid-eighties. MuchMusic video airplay and

major label interest followed.  However, I would not record again until a decade later when

I did an independent release of LOOKIN’ FOR LOVE, a compilation of some very personal 

songs with a country flavour.  A Christmas album followed, that I was able to record in 

Nashville with Canadian producer Larry Wayne Clark. I got the opportunity to work with

some terrific studio players and for the very first time, with some gospel singers. 

 

Life intervened, while making other plans, as John Lennon once said. Which brings me 

to the I BELIEVE E.P. that I was able to record in London, England – city of my birth.

It was a great experience to play with some top London musicians including Derek Nash, who plays sax in the Jools Holland Band.  Derek was able to bring in some gospel singers from the 

renowned Kingdom Choir, who added so much harmony and passion to the project.

 

Que now to my arrival back in Canada, to Vancouver Island where I now live, close to 

family and nature – my two loves in addition to music!

Working on my new arrangement of OH CANADA, with the St. Andrew’s High School 

choir and their fantastic choir director Phil O’Reilly, was a truly great experience for me. The choir’s authenticity and enthusiasm add a special something that I hope will make every 

proud Canadian that much more proud.  And the video directed by

Jordan Chatten, is the perfect visual accompaniment to my goal of giving our national

anthem a more contemporary feel. 

 

Plans are now in play for a new album. I am not sure when the complete date will be.

What I do know is that the album will be a genre-busting  musical journey, encompassing 

Roots/Country, Jazz/Blues and Gospel music.  You can sprinkle in there a little soul music

as well, remembering early influences like the late, great Sam Cooke.  

Stay tuned.  And remember – it is not about the destination.  It never is. It is all about

the journey. Travel safe.

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Cheers,

 

Graham