Ian Brown

Music Biography

1. Gave public recitals in Edinburgh and in north of England on cello. Played piano in pubs and clubs in Scotland and England. Influenced by blues, swing and traditional jazz.
2. Solo Performer (piano, guitar, vocals) in pubs and clubs (blues, boogie, swing, folk-rock) in Kingston, Ontario.
3. Involved in Drama at school and University. Appeared in Zoo Story by Edward Albee with Gord Vogt in Kingston, Ontario, 1968.
4. Wrote, Directed and Performed (as musician and actor) in 'Marry Juanha?', British Pavilion, Expo '67, Montreal
5. Influenced by Indian music during 3 years in London. Began to experiment with and perform 'raga' style piano improvisations.
6. Worked as Stage Manager at 'The Open Space' (the best known theatre for experimental and off-off Broadway plays in London, U.K.)
7. Worked front of house at The Old Vic and Young Vic theatres in London.
8. Founding member of "Stephen Barry Blues Band", Montreal, 1974-76
   Stephen Barry (bass), Chaim Tannenbaum (vocals, harmonica) Andrew Cowan (guitar), Gordon Adamson (drums), Ian Brown (piano). See description below.
9. Musical Involvement in British Columbia, 1979 – present
   
   1. Played in rock/blues/jazz trio, "Saturday Alley": 1980-81
      Ian Brown (keyboard and vocals); Janet Russell (guitar, vocals); Jamie Mackie (guitar and drums)
   2. I.A.B.: Solo performing (keyboard and vocals)
      Played pubs and clubs in Lower Mainland, e.g. Billy Miner's (Haney), Charlie Don't Surf (White Rock), Mama Gold’s (Vancouver), many old age homes and hospital venues, etc.
   3. Wrote musical play White Rock, awarded Honorable Mention & Ranking Status in the Canadian Playwriting Competition (1984). Produced at The Waterfront Theatre, Granville island, Vancouver (1984) and at The White Rock Summer Theatre (1985).
   4. Trained as Music Therapist at Capilano College, 1988-89
      extensive musical performance experience as music therapist at:
      • Peace Arch Hospital, White Rock, B.C. (1993-1998)
      • Murrayville Manor, Langley (1988 – 1998)
      • Comeshare, White Rock and Surrey locations, 2008-2012
      • Various locations: work for Creative Music Therapy Solutions, 2008-2010
      • Fraserview Lodge, Richmond, 2008-present
10. Tapes/CD's/publications/workshops:
    
    • Stephen Barry Blues Band 'Live at the Rising Sun', Montreal, 1976
    • 'Music For Breathing' – tape of original piano improvisations, 1989
    • Songs For E.S.L. – educational cassette for E.S.L. Teachers and students, 1991
    • Produced Songbook for Music Therapists, vols. 1 and 2, 2008
    • Major speaker at Alzheimer's Society of Washington Annual Conference, Bellingham, October 1998, topic: "Links between Music, Language & Memory"
    • Canadian Association for Music Therapy, Annual National Conference, Calgary Convention Centre, May 1996; gave workshop on "The Language of Music and The Music of Language"