Chris Dedrick

"ÖDedrick has a place in the not-exactly-rock pantheon right alongside Brian Wilson and Burt Bacharach." óLA Weekly

Musical trends come and go, especially amidst the rapid-fire atmosphere of contemporary pop cultureóbut the appeal of a strong melody, creatively arranged and expressively sung, is timeless. Which is why Christopher Dedrick is the subject of as much international acclaim today as when he began making music more than three decades ago. The Toronto-based composer, arranger and conductor has amassed a body of work that encompasses hundreds of recordings and performances, all of them the product of an attention to detail and a passion for creativity that has captivated casual listeners and fellow artists alike.

Chris's professional career began in the late '60s, at the age of 19, as a singer and principal songwriter in sibling vocal group The Free Design. In the midst of perhaps the most creative and competitive climate in pop history, The Free Design produced seven albums between 1967 and 1973 that stand among the most inventive and melodically seductive of their era. Of the group's hit debut single, "Kites Are Fun," New York Times critic Alec Wilder wrote: "ÖIt was so fine that I literally wept when I heard it."

Fellow musicians, as well as record producers, were quick to notice Chris's writing and arranging talents. Shortly before relocating to Toronto from New York, Chris served as chief arranger for the U.S. Air Force's Airmen of Note in Washington, D.C., from, 1969 to 1971. Simultaneous to this, he commuted to New York City to contribute to recording sessions for artists as prestigious as Peter, Paul & Mary, Melissa Manchester, Barry Mann, and Simon & Garfunkel with James Taylor. Additional activities at the time included producing records and commercials, and performing concerts with The Free Design and various orchestras.

Since settling in Canada in 1972, Chris has established himself as one of the country's foremost composers and arrangers for television and filmóa status validated by the honour of a Genie for his original score for feature film, The Saddest Music In the World, and three Gemini Awards scores for television. But this doesn't begin to summarize his many credits and interests. Among the dozens of works he has composed for chamber ensembles, jazz bands, choirs and symphony orchestras, Chris is a major creative force behind several recordings and performances by the world-renowned Canadian Brass. In addition to having arranged and composed selections from five of their 1990s albums, the Canadian Brass turned in rapturously received concerts of his suites Mother and Child (Hamilton, 1994; with the Bach-Elgar Choir) and Fantasies for Anna (Toronto, 1995). Chris also conducted the Canadian Brass and members of the New Philharmonic at the 1995 premieres of Entre Nous in Toronto and New York City.

Vocal musicóespecially a capella choral musicóhas continued to feature prominently in Chris's career. Under the direction of his mentor, Dr. Kenneth Mills, Chris sang and co-wrote many innovative and highly acclaimed compositions with the Star-Scape Singers, which produced over 15 albums, containing some 100 choral songs.

At the beginning of 2004, Chris is engaged in an unprecedented flurry of musical activity. While continuing to serve as President of the Guild of Canadian Film Composers, he is writing and composing several new scores for both the small and big screen. Some of his recently completed projects are due to be heard by the largest national and international audiences of his career, including the score for the highly anticipated Guy Maddin film The Saddest Music in the World, starring Isabella Rosselini; the CBC Television miniseries, Shattered City: The Halifax Explosion; and a new Rhombus Media feature, Child Star, directed by Don McKellar.

"I'm very grateful to live, work, and play in the world of music," says Chris. "How can anything be added to the incredible life-force that music is? The composer/musician is an explorer who, through hard work and inspiration, aims to uncover and share some unique facet of that sublime wealth."

As if to confirm the tangible care and passion invested in Chris's musicóas well as its timelessnessóhis career has, in a sense, come full circle as of late. In October 2003, an American record label began a deluxe CD reissue program of The Free Design's discography. The event prompted some of contemporary alternative music's most respected artistsóa few of which weren't yet born when the albums were originally releasedóto step forward and claim the group, and Chris's impeccable songcraft, as an influence. "[It] somehow still sounds innovative and genre-defining," wrote the New York Times' Neil Strauss.

It's a sentiment that's sure to be applied to all of Christopher Dedrick's music for generations to come.

- Michael White (Michael is a Vancouver-based entertainment journalist who has written for MOJO, the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, eye Weekly, and others.)