Ottawa-based Canadian jazz guitarist and composer Roddy Ellias is making a much-anticipated return to Sault Ste. Marie for a special solo performance at The Loft.
A versatile performer, Ellias has shared stages with jazz icons like Lee Konitz, Kenny Wheeler, and Joel Frahm, and his music has been celebrated across Canada, the U.S., and Europe.
Ellias’ first performance in the Sault was at the 2023 Wes Montgomery tribute show, a benefit event for the Algoma Conservatory, organized by local musician and former student, Matt Warnock.
The guitarist took a shine to the venue and the community.
“Playing the Wes show with Matt was my first time in Sault Ste. Marie,” says Ellias.
“The people, the culture, and the land are all beautiful and I loved it. I can't wait to be back this week.”
During his visit, Ellias is also looking forward to reconnecting with Jake Valois, a talented young guitarist who joined him on stage last year as a student of Warnock's.
“He was a student of Matt's and he played with us on the Wes show last year,” he says.
Ellias’ connection to the Sault goes back to his days teaching jazz guitar at McGill University, where Warnock, then an undergraduate student, chose Ellias as his instructor.
“I was teaching full-time at Concordia University in Montreal, but also listed as a part-time instructor at McGill when Matt was doing his undergrad,” says Ellias.
“He requested that I be his guitar teacher and I'm so glad he did. He was a dream student, way ahead of the pack, not only how he played but with his thirst for learning and exploring and his work ethic.”
The two hit it off instantly and have been good friends and colleagues ever since.
“Matt began bringing me into a guitar festival he ran in Illinios, where he was then teaching,” says Ellias.
“Then I brought him up to Ottawa to be part of a guitar festival called Guitar Now”
Since then, the pair have stayed in regular contact.
“We play together as much as we can given the distance between our chosen homes.”
Ellias says that he is looking forward to contributing to Warnock’s upcoming album
“I will be recording a track with him while I'm in the Sault.”
The mutual admiration between Warnock and Ellias is clear.
Warnock has been a constant champion of his once guitar teacher.
“Roddy blends the jazz traditions with modern classical and world music elements in his playing,” says Warnock.
“He combines the best of the jazz world with the likes of Gershwin and Mancini alongside classical giants like Satie and modern improvisers like Ralph Towner to sound both classic and inventive at the same time.”
For the upcoming Loft show, he will be performing solo guitar drawing from his most recent album Moon Over Lake.
“I've been mostly playing solo concerts this year because of that new album,” says Ellias.
“Audiences seem to love the experience. The music is a blend of written pieces and improvisation. I play very much in the moment and so try to take the audience with me on a musical journey that they can get lost in. Music is such a beautiful and powerful way to connect with things that are beautiful, peaceful, and moving.”
The improvisational elements in Ellias’ music today stem from his earliest memories of playing on his grandmother's piano at age five.
“I think it was a time that allowed me to connect with music on a very personal level,” he says.
“The freedom of just sitting at the piano and exploring the sounds without having to ‘learn’ anything was a very powerful gift that has stayed with me throughout my exploration of music.”
Ellias continued to explore new musical possibilities, in addition to studying, which has helped him develop his unusual composition and playing approach.
“There was a lot of hard work later, learning the mechanics of music and that was important too, but that early experience lives with me to this day.”
Roddy Ellias, Solo Guitar - Presented by Algoma Conservatory Concerts
Friday, Nov. 15. Show begins at 7:30 p.m. The Loft, 75 Huron St.
Tickets for the show are available here.
To learn more about Roddy Ellias and his unique style that blends jazz traditions with classical influences, visit his Facebook page.