A Conversation with Cameron Wilson

HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED WITH ART OF TIME?

I have known Andrew Burashko for over 20 years, having first met him when we were both students at UBC. He knew I had done a lot of chamber music arranging for my group Joe Trio in Vancouver and he approached me about working with the Art of Time Ensemble.

WHAT HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH ART OF TIME BEEN LIKE? WHAT KEEPS YOU COMING BACK?

Its been a fantastic experience working with Art of Time. Each project is different, each arrangement is different. I think the challenge of writing an arrangement for each artist and working with them on the orchestration is one of the main reasons I keep coming back. Collaborating with Andrew and all the great artists he brings in to perform has been such a learning experience for me and a great pleasure and privilege.

WHO ARE SOME OF THE ARTISTS WHO'VE HAD AN INFLUENCE ON YOUR CRAFT?

There are many, possibly too many to mention in a few sentences! Okay here goes, Stephane Grappelli, Django Reinhardt, Dmitri Shostakovich, Nelson Riddle, Ennio Morricone, Carl Stalling, the Beatles and Brian Wilson to name just a few.

WHAT ARE YOUR GUILTY PLEASURES, MUSICALLY OR OTHERWISE?

Musically see above! Non musically, strong coffee, Murphys Irish Stout, Dark Chocolate and Covered Bridge Potato Chips from New Brunswick.

IF YOU WEREN'T WORKING AS A MUSICIAN, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?

I dont know. Learning how to play golf! Seriously, I couldnt imagine doing anything else.

WHAT ARE YOU READING?

The next question.

IS THERE SOMEONE YOU'D LOVE TO COLLABORATE WITH?

I guess the chance to work with Brian Wilson would be one. And George Martin. He's such a great string arranger. Nelson Riddle too. Just to get inside their brains and discover how they hear music.

WHAT'S ONE OF THE MOST MEMORABLE PERFORMANCES YOU'VE EXPERIENCED IN RECENT MEMORY?

I haven't been to many concerts in the last year but one that stood out was the Punch Brothers at the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver. Absolutely amazing band and great musicians. Fantastic arrangements and great sense of humour.