McDermott gets classic

Famed Toronto tenor finds inspiration in Frank Sinatra

It's no wonder that acclaimed tenor John McDermott exudes an aura of happy confidence as he chats over pints of Smithwicks. The Toronto-based singer with a strong international fan base is in a career position likely the envy of many peers.
"I'm in one of those rare situations as an artist where I don't really depend on my recordings to make a living. I've had 10 good years of extensive touring and have established a following. The beauty of it is I now have my own record label, so it is just about me plus any other artists I want to sign to the label."
He describes the process of recording and releasing albums now as "a labour of love," and love is keeping McDermott very busy. Last year, he put out two records, Great Is Thy Faithfulness and Stories Of Love. The former comprises songs of faith, traditional and new, while the latter is John's homage to the melodic and romantic bossa nova style.
Stories Of Love received a belated release party at The Montreal Bistro earlier this month. It showed that McDermott's strong and pure voice also possesses the subtle touch needed for the Brazilian-rooted material.
Up until now, he has been linked primarily to Celtic music. Born in Scotland to Irish and Scottish parents (who emigrated to Toronto when John was young), McDermott burst onto the scene in the mid '90s, just as the Celtic music boom was sweeping the world.
His first album, Danny Boy, was intended as a private 50th anniversary tribute to his parents, but EMI Canada sensed its commercial potential. The result was an international hit album that actually went double platinum in New Zealand. "I copied and framed the Billboard chart that showed me at No. 1 there, ahead of the Beatles and Rolling Stones collections. My dad was very pleased at that," laughs John.
McDermott's career credits now include nine albums, three of which went platinum in Canada. He has a large audience in the U.S. now, thanks in part to his inclusion in the very popular The Irish Tenors project. In 2001 he filmed a solo TV special, John McDermott - A Time To Remember, and it has been widely aired on PBS affiliates in the States.
Pretty good going for somebody who just a decade ago was still working at The Toronto Sun as a circulation sales representative, with singing just being a hobby. "I'm pleased success didn't come too early," he says. "Otherwise I doubt I'd be sitting here with you now."
Stories Of Love is John's first release on his own label, Bunnygee, and he explains that was no accident. "I didn't want to do it when I was with a major label. I wanted it done without any duress, with input from some critical jazz players, because I'm a rookie at this. I'm not a jazz singer. It was Guido Basso more than anyone else who said 'you've got it, let's do it.' "
With the help of co-producers Rick Wilkins and Brigham Phillips, McDermott rounded up the elite of local jazz musicians, including ace flugelhorn player Basso and the famed rhythm section of Dave Young and Terry Clarke.
Horn players and a string section make for lushly arranged treatments of the classic songs covered. Seven are by famed Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim, and it was the album of Jobim songs done by Frank Sinatra 35 years ago that was the key inspiration behind Stories Of Love.
"It was one of the best recordings I've ever heard. You don't want to do exactly what Frank and Jobim did. We wanted to give it our imprint, and it came together so easily. The tunes were easy to pick. What's not to like about Jobim? I just wanted my voice to be the deliverer of the goods. Great songs make good singers sound great," John explains modestly.
The prolific and versatile McDermott is already looking ahead to more albums. He'll record another one in an old church near Stratford Upon Avon this summer and is working on a Christmas album with his pal Larry Gowan. "Another package I'm working on is an all-Canadian co-write, with people like Marc Jordan, Tom Wilson, and Larry. Guido and I are talking about doing a record of Chet Baker tunes as well."
Hopefully, one future gig for John might be the inauguration gala for President John Kerry. You see, both McDermott's music and his committed work for veteran's causes has made Kerry a fan. "I think he's going to crush George Bush," predicts the singer.
Stories Of Love is out on Bunnygee/Warner. John McDermott plays The Newmarket Theatre on Feb. 28, The Markham Theatre, March 3-4 and The Living Arts Centre in Mississauga, March 7.

Publication Date: 2004-02-29
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=3698