Tricia Edwards with Los Marineros de la Rumba
Friday, June 28, 9:30 p.m.
Tropical Corner, 922 Centre St. N.E.
Cover charge: $15
For Calgary jazz and Latin musician Tricia Edwards, beginning a new career journey was painful. Literally.
In 2003, while recovering from a bout of tendinitis that had temporarily halted her from pursuing her chosen field of classical piano, Edwards decided to try a musical genre that would involve different technique and movement.
“I came to jazz through not being able to play classical for a bit,” she explains. “It ended up being best thing that could have happened. I couldn’t have planned that.”
Through jazz, she discovered her passion for the dynamic grooves of Latin music. Fast-forward a decade and Edwards is a bright light on the Calgary music scene, a full-time musician who plays solo and in several bands – “I couldn’t count how many,” she says with a smile.
“I’m a musical omnivore. I listen to everything and I like to play a little of everything; Latin music is what really speaks to my heart. In the past I had always envisioned teaching, and I loved chamber music. This is not what I expected to be doing, so I’m surprised at how much I love it.”
Perhaps not surprisingly, though, Edwards says her extensive training, which includes two degrees in classical piano performance from the University of Alberta, hasn’t always been an advantage in the freewheeling Latin and jazz settings. “It’s been a help and a hindrance. It sometimes is something I have to overcome, but it’s given me a lot of tools.” At its best, which is just about all the time these days, Edwards’ advanced technical ability flows seamlessly into the rhythmic feel of her chosen genres.
Her solo piano work, featured Thursday at the Delta Bow Valley lounge, brings it all together. “I play some jazz, some Latin music, I’ll slip into salsa and work in some pop tunes,” she says.
Edwards’ newest project – and one she’s clearly excited about – is Los Marineros de la Rumba, a Latin combo whose six members represent the fabric of Calgary’s multicultural music scene.
“We come from four different countries, with very different musical backgrounds and a wealth of experiences. The thing we have in common is that we’re all passionate about the music.” Los Marineros de la Rumba will bring their danceable grooves to the Tropical Corner later this month.
Tricia Edwards’ 2009 jazz album, “Joy Spring,” is available on iTunes.