The Music Man

You’re seated in the audience.

Live, before your eyes, a song takes shape a piece at a time.

In just minutes, one man records each separate instrument, harmony, and sound effect in the song, then plays it all back to accompany him as he sings on stage.

You have just been treated to a performance.

This musical process, called “looping,” is his forte.

Jean-Paul, a Lakehead sociology alum (HBA’07/MA’09), has been building his musical career since 2007, touring nationally and internationally.

“Musically, I’ve been fortunate to tour around the world at festivals and concerts,” he says, “and to work with talented musicians and filmmakers to create new collaborative art.”

All of this exposure has paid off. He’s shared the stage with many notables including the Goo Goo Dolls and the Beach Boys. CBC regularly features his music and two of his videos, ‘Fix’ and ‘You’, have been broadcast on MuchMusic.

He just finished his first European tour and, most recently, was in Mexico performing at the International Live Looping Festival.

Jean-Paul was born in Thunder Bay in 1985 but was raised overseas in Africa, Asia, and South America before returning to Thunder Bay in 2001. His passion for music was kindled by singing with a cappella groups and barbershop choruses, playing trumpet/percussion with his high school band, and participating in the local music scene as a guitarist and vocalist with various rock bands.

In 2013, he participated in a composer mentorship program through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, followed by an artist entrepreneur professional development course from Coalition Music in 2014.

Jean-Paul is now a full time musician/entrepreneur, based in Thunder Bay, working in three areas: performance, composition for film/TV, and production for other artists. “After incorporating my business and receiving several grants to build a home studio in 2014,” he says, “I’m very eager to see how both my business and I develop.”

Jean-Paul also helps develop the careers of other musicians. He and two others run TBshows.com, a live entertainment-listing site catering to Thunder Bay. He has participated in four juries for the Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent On Recordings (FACTOR) and was a two-time jury member for the Ontario Arts Council.

“I’ve been very active in the local music community having worked with organizations like CILU Radio and the City of Thunder Bay to provide opportunities for local, regional, and national musicians to perform in Thunder Bay.”

Jean-Paul continues to stay connected to Lakehead, performing at orientation week events and at both The Study and The Outpost.

Good memories keep him connected as well. “There are specific moments that I remember fondly, whether in class, at The Study or even outside of campus,” he says. “But it’s the people that I connected to the most. Friendship, romance, and enough jokes to keep me laughing today are what I really treasure.”

Photo credit: Shannon Lepere