Archived Events

Is this the end of Insomnia? An outsiders view...

"Things do not change; we change."
-Henry David Thoreau

July 20^th 2008: It was about a year ago that someone answered my ad on kijiji. I was looking to form a jazz trio/ensemble and was hoping that there were others who wanted the same. The results were interesting indeed. There were many emails from drummers, bass players, etc. of varying ages all showing interest and enthusiam. But when it came to putting it together it was a no go. Excuses were given and accepted.

I was ready to go back into the "woodshed" for another hibernation period when (get ready for the cliche) all of the sudden I got a response with some action. We exchanged numbers and talked on the phone. John Kenny was (and still is) a multifacited musician who at the time was the guitarist for Insomnia. Essentially, he called me out to the Brunswick where they were playing every Tuesday and Saturday. I jammed with the band for a set that included Kevin Dunklee (trumpet), Andy Lusher (sax) Rick McClelland (bass), Ian Currie (drums), and Jim Polisak (percussion).

I couldn't believe it. Here was a group playing jazz right out of the fake book with a fierce ferousiousness every week accompanied by a hardcore compulsion that couldn't be put down. Various muscians would sit in from time to time: Don DiCarlo (piano), Duncan Grant (piano, synth), Jane Hysen (piano), Chris Murphy (Saxophone), Steve Clark (bass), Natalie Howard (vocals), Jack Roach (vocals), Creg Johnston (sax, flute, vocals), Curtis Nixon (sax) and of course yours truly on guitar (see the picture to the left). All styles were worked from swing, bebop, cool, to jazz funk/rock. Insomnia was a little band with a big band sound and the sound was like no other.

A move was eventually made to the Richmond Tavern. A music lovers mainstay in the heart of downtown London Ontario. There Insomnia would play every Thursday from 8 PM to 12 AM where there was a bigger stage and eventually a new sound system. Some of the highlights worth mentioning occurred during the Christmas and Valentine shows. It was a massive turn out each time.

This wasn't enough, however. Due to lack of interest the band folded. When I look back to the summer of 2007 to now, I have nothing but fond memories of the performances, camaraderie, and music. So, is it true that "things don't change" and that "we change"? Maybe. I know I have definately changed for the better. I've become more addicted then ever to "trading fours" and improvizing with Kevin, Andy, John, Rick, Ian, and Jim. I can't wait to see what the next incarnation will be. Hopefully, with the launch of londonjazzscene.com I'm anticipating more interest in live jazz here in London.

Will Insomnia rise again as a result? Stay tuned... Archived Events

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