Simpson
THE TRAPSET, looking pristinely proud, takes centrestage in the living room. With all the furniture pointing at it, the drum set has clearly usurped the television's position. The trapset belongs to Ewan Simpson who is a drummer by passion and, in many ways, by profession.
When The Gleaner interviewed him at his Hope Road home, Simpson explained that he was waiting to be called to the Bar. However, while he awaited the call he was not merely twiddling his drumsticks, as he remains immersed in music. The drums have been a part of his life for many years, but he finds it hard to pinpoint when the affair started. "I don't even remember when I started playing the drums," he said. All he manages is to narrow it down to before he turned 15, using his grandmother's death as a marker.
His name is not yet a household feature, though many would have been exposed to Simpson's musical skills, even without knowing it. Simpson is an expatriate of the University Singers and his arrangements were included in their repertoire up to this year's season.
THE CHOIR
Indeed, the respected choir is the reason Simpson decided to attend the University of the West Indies. Like many of his friends at the time, Simpson says he was headed for the army and aviation. "But just before I made the decision," he says, "Nelson Mandela came to Jamaica and I heard University Singers sing and I thought, 'I want to sing with that group'."
He did. Performing with the University Singers was almost his only constant during his years at the university. Simpson explains that he started part-time, then switched to full-time and repeatedly changed his major, finally settling on law.
Joining the University Singers in 1992 brought more than the longed for singing experience, sparking much of Simpson's evolution. The Singers was Simpson's portal into theatre and he is yet to emerge from it. "I spent almost all day, all night there," he says of the Phillip Sherlock Centre of the Creative Arts (PSCCA). Along with his duties as vocalist, Simpson also played drums (trapset and congos). His time at the PSCCA also introduced him to lighting techniques, which he studied under then staff tutor in drama, Harclyde Walcott.
As the musical web spread from the University Singers, Simpson also began drumming with the National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC) in 1997. He explained that he was asked to join play with the group when they were going on tour and were short a drummer. "I suppose they were satisfied," he says. "No one has asked me to leave."
ANOTHER OFFSHOOT
Another offshoot from his work with the University Singers and their director Noel Dexter was Simpson's involvement with the Cathy Levy Players. This led to his becoming the musical director for the group To-Isis. He is currently working on the group's album and hopes that it will be released before he gets called to the Bar.
Simpson also beats out his musical passions through the band Intonation, a five-piece group which acts as back-up for To-Isis and also plays for other engagements such as dinner and cocktails, so he is constantly immersed in music. He explains that because of that, he found his time in Barbados while pursuing his law degree nearly unbearable, as he did very little music while there. "When I was in Barbados I almost died," he said, not sounding as though he was exaggerating.
Interestingly, though drumming is clearly his passion, Simpson started out singing first. Again he is unable to pinpoint the year. "I grew up in the church, so I started as early as one can sing," he says instead. His singing career continued through to his years at Glenmuir High, which boasts an impressive choir, until he made it to the University Singers. Now, however, Simpson does not sing much. "Most of the singing I do now, I do if I'm teaching voice," he says.
OTHER ASPECTS
Simpson also remains involved in other aspects of the theatre arts as he does what he calls "one-off" stage management. When compounded with his duties as one of the adjudicators with the music festival in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, it is impressive that he has found time to breathe. Even so, Simpson does not see his involvement with music going through any changes once he gets the call to the Bar. When asked what differences he expects when trying to balance music and law, two demanding careers, he answers nonchalantly, "I'll get to wear a robe when I go to court."
Indeed, his commitment to the continued place of music in his life is easily explained. "Music is what keeps me sane," he says.
