Alberta pianist Terry Jorden wants to get back to B.C.
A Port Moody secondary graduate, Jorden last played Metro Vancouver six months ago but, before then, it had been nearly 30 years since he tickled the ivories in the region where he was raised.
Earlier this year, Jorden was in town for a gig at a seniors centre — a place that many performers shun — to perform some old time favourites. He also stopped in at Port Moody’s Gallery Bistro, where he struck up a conversation with owner Helen Daniels.
“She invited me to convert the restaurant into a piano bar for a night,” Jorden said. “I couldn’t resist.”
On July 2, Jorden will entertain with a set of cover songs from the 1970s to ‘90s, including from Elton John, Billy Joel, Tom Waits, Diana Krall and Blue Rodeo. “I’m hoping to gather a few old friends who still remember me,” he said.
Jorden’s piano lessons started in the Tri-Cities under teachers Beryl McLeod and Gary Burns.
As a young adult, he would head down to Hogan’s Alley in Vancouver to watch Kelly Crowe dazzle at the keyboard. Later, after obtaining his journalism diploma, Jorden worked at newspapers — including The Tri-City News — where he interviewed such notable musicians as KD Lang (who was appearing at the Cariboo Hotel) as well as the Doug and Slugs, Paul Hyde and the Payolas and Murray McLaughlin.
In 1988, Jorden moved to Yellowknife and volunteered to coordinate the annual Folk On The Rocks music festival.
In 2000, after some time back in B.C., Jorden moved his family to Edmonton where he says his music business flourished. He joined big swing bands and played at piano bars. “These days, when people come out to hear me play, they sometimes tell me how surprised they are that piano bars are so rare.
“They forgot how much they enjoy the idea of a small room, a grand piano and a musician who can sing and play a wide range of classic songs spanning decades.”
In Edmonton, Jorden also partnered with tenor saxophonist Orest Warchola to play at corporate events, conferences, fundraisers and galas as well as political party functions. Recently, he has appeared at music festivals and has diversified his catalogue with country, country-rock and bluegrass ensembles.
But B.C. is where he wants to expand.
“I’m always looking for opportunities to play music because it brings me such joy and I love sharing that.”
• Terry Jorden’s concert on Saturday, July 2 is at 8 p.m. at Gallery Bistro (2411 Clarke St., Port Moody). Tickets are $12. A set menu dinner will be served at 7 p.m. for $13. Call 604-937-0998.
jwarren@tricitynews.com
