TREVOR - BIOGRAPHY
Trevor is a popular electric and acoustic violinist. His playing evokes images of Mark Wood (Trans-Siberian Orchestra), Jean Luc Ponty and Mark O’Connor all melded together. With such amazing versatility on his instruments, including the five-string electric violin, Trevor is a master at reaching any audience. He hails from one of Canada’s music centres: Guelph, Ontario and is invited to tour across Canada, the United States, South America and Africa. As one audience goer commented: “listening to your music last night was the most soul-provoking experience ... your [concert] brought tears to my eyes ... thank you so much for sharing your gift of musicâ€Â. Patricia Paddy, a Canadian freelance journalist states: “[Trevor’s] flying bow stirs hearts and ... when he creates his music ... the impact on his audience is profound.â€Â
On November 1, 2007, Trevor released his fourth and most ambitious project, a double disk Christmas album entitled “Glory and Peaceâ€Â. The release was kicked off in late November with concerts and appearances in several major cites across Ontario.
The first disk entitled “Glory†is a collection of ten original arrangements. It includes an urban jazz version of “Carol of the Bellsâ€Â, a rock anthem “Joy to the World†in “Tidings (Comfort and Joy)†and African and Middle Eastern flavours in “Sojourn of the Kingsâ€Â. “On Our Knees†can be compared to an uplifting, expansive movie soundtrack while “Liam’s Song (The Birth)†is an original celtic lullaby. Trevor is backed by the 5th String Blvd. Band’s seasoned players including Steve Heathcote on drums and percussion, Will Jarvis on bass guitars, Corey Lacey on guitars and Brad Toews on keyboards. The group collaborated on the “Glory†song arrangements to create a tight, interactive feel. The “Glory†disk was recorded and engineered by Richard Cleaver in his world class Whispering Woods Studio in Newmarket, Ontario.
The “Peace†disk is a highly improvised acoustic set of ten quiet, ambient Christmas songs. They feature violin, viola and piano stylings which convey the beauty of a silent winter night with poignant renditions of “Silent Nightâ€Â, “The Coventry Carolâ€Â, “O Holy Night†and “Away in a Manger†coupled with “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiringâ€Â. These songs were written and arranged with the goal to help the listener have their own manger experience in quiet reflection, relaxation and meditation. The “Peace†disk was recorded live off the floor by Richard Cleaver at the Guelph Youth Music Centre with Brad Toews accompanying Trevor on grand piano.
Born in Nigeria, and later growing up on culturally rich Vancouver Island, Trevor benefitted from his musical upbringing in the music soaked city of Nanaimo. At the young age of 15, he toured with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, then went on to study at the University of Toronto under Jascha Milkis and Phil Nimmons. Developing relationships and performing with international musicians are career highlights for Trevor. He is also grateful to be recognized as an Imago Artist. This has resulted in increased recognition from the arts community and the formation of a supportive board of directors. In 2004, his “5th String Blvd.†release was nominated for a Vibe Award in the instrumental category. Since 2005, Trevor has acted as a Compassion artist and actively promotes the cause of child poverty at his concerts. He and his band have been featured on national television programming such as 100 Huntley Street, Living Truth and the Wav. File.
Trevor also maintains a vibrant teaching practice from his studio in Guelph, Ontario where he lives with his wife, Le-Anne and three boys: Kyle, Aaron and Liam.
Previous Releases:
New Beginnings CD 1997
5th String Blvd. CD 2003
Flyingbow - Up Close DVD 2006
For booking and other information:
Contact Online: www.flyingbow.com
Email: trevor@flyingbow.com
Phone: 519.837.3571
TREVOR\'S STORY
I was born into a family that attended church every week. My parents were medical missionaries in Africa at the time, my dad a surgeon and my mom a nurse. They had a desire and calling in the 1960’s to plant a hospital, and serve local natives in a little village called Iyale, deep in the tropical rain forest of central Nigeria. Believe it or not, my dad delivered me in a little school house he had built where my mother home-schooled our family.
When I was 4 years old, my dad tragically died in a car accident leaving my mom with 7 children to raise on her own. This incident, greatly affected my early years as a child. I grew up with some deep insecurities and fears: the fear of my future without a dad, the fear of death, and the fear of separation from my family. I was that child who asked the tough questions like: “why did daddy have to die? “ and “why did God take daddy when I loved him so much?†Through this time, however, I had the loving support of my mother who was strong in her faith in God and a great example to me. I remember her saying some very special words that I hung on to: “Trevor, God will be your “daddy†nowâ€Â. This simple truth greatly impacted me and started me out on my spiritual journey of faith.
Upon moving back to Canada, my mom took my family to church each week where I began learning more about the bible and the life of Jesus. Slowly, as I learned and had talks with my mom, I began to realize what it means to have a personal relationship with God - what it really meant for Him to be my father. I came to the realization that I was naturally disobedient and running away from God. This rebellious nature was separating me from truly having a close relationship with Him. I began to understand too, that the penalty of this sin, as it is described in the bible, is death, but that Jesus paid this penalty by dying on the cross for me. Finally, I learned that if I prayed and asked Jesus to be the leader of my life that he would truly take over and guide and direct me.
I will never forget that day when I turned my life over to God. We were singing a song in church .... the words were: “come into my life, come into my life, come into my life Lord Jesus, come in today, come in to stay, come into my life Lord Jesus ....†As I sang those words, they became my personal prayer. At that moment, I accepted God as my Father and began living for Him.
This new commitment to God really shaped the direction of my life. God gave me a deep inner peace, and security that he would take care of me and our family. I had real confidence that God was in control and would guide and direct me. From then on, I saw God at work in my life, supplying my needs and guiding me through school, university, then into music, teaching, marriage and then becoming a dad. He has been with me in every season of my life, has given me purpose and direction and has been a faithful Father and friend to me.
Do you have a personal relationship with God? Do you have purpose and direction in your life? Contact me and tell me of your journey.
A Prayer When a Situation Seems Impossible - Your Daily Prayer - April 24
My wife has recently painted these words on a wall in our house as a reminder to us both: “Mightier than the waves of the sea, is His love for us!” (Inspired by Psalm 93:4). Please remember this. Mightier than the tempest you are facing is His love for you!