Pianist, composer, and producer Corey Butler has been working in many facets of the music and art world for many years. He’s served as Music Director for the JUNO-winning Toronto Mass Choir and he’s worked with the likes of Jackie Richardson, GRAMMY Award Hall of Famer Carvin Winans, and many others, adding his unique touch to all that he does, whether that’s playing, composing, arranging, or producing.
Corey is also the Founder and Executive Director of Zamar Music Inc., a multifaceted music arts organization committed to impacting communities through music art education, music mentorship, as well as art production and performance. This Friday, April 10, Zamar Music presents Monk, Parker, Gillespie: The Origins of Bebop, a unique docu-concert at the Meridian Arts Centre, and he joins me in studio to tell us a little more about it.
Exclusive: Corey Butler brings Monk, Parker and Gillespie to the stage
Tell us a little more about Zamar Music – how and why it came to be and the sorts of things you do?
It actually started out of a burden for me to give back. I remembering moving here [Canada] from Jamaica many years ago, I was so excited about the music that I remembered going up to a fellow musician asking “Hey, can you show me that?” And he actually didn’t, he replied, “No”. I don’t know what that was all about but I remember how I felt in that moment and I told myself I never want anyone to ever feel like that again. So I’m going to learn all I can and pay it forward.
Why is this work important? What sorts of things have you seen as a result?
I want to be able to use music as a tool, not only for artist development and create opportunities for professional and young musicians, but also to support their wellness, their mental and wholistic wellness…I really want to spread the gospel of music to everyone.
Tell us about the show happening this Friday night – Monk Parker Gillespie: The Origins of Bebop. Why did you decide to do this show – instead of another topic or another group of artists?
Zamar Music Inc. is in the business of doing these music docu-concerts, I love going to concerts, not only to be entertained but to be educated a little bit as well. We wanted to create that experience through the shows we do at Zamar Music. As a graduate of Humber College and a lover of jazz, I just really wanted to do this. I worked with Alexis [Baro] who’s going to be in the show, he is a connoisseur of jazz so it got me to dig a little deeper into Bebop and the things I found were wild so I’m hoping that people will come out and learn some things too.
Corey Butler, Founder and Executive Director of Zamar Music, presents: Monk Parker Gillespie: The Origins of Bebop, this Friday, April 10, 7:30 pm, at the Meridian Arts Centre, tickets are available here.