The space between.

There are specific things I remember about each time I perform.

It’s as if a part of you expands for a moment in time. You take in every detail. Every nuance.

I always start with sound. No matter how busy things are, or how frenetic the pace is, I always get drawn in. One of the most unique aspects of playing acoustic guitar at weddings is that the sound is different every time. I love working with new spaces. Making the best use of natural acoustics. Placing yourself in the perspective of the audience. You use everything at your disposal to make things as sonically dramatic as possible.

The world seems different once you get locked in this zone. Everything is accentuated. Kindness. Warmth. Joy.

Taylor Swift makes the clouds part in Uxbridge.

Trevor and Sarah’s wedding was a phenomenal day. It was held at a family friend’s horse farm in Uxbridge, ON. This summer certainly wasn’t a perfect one with regards to weather. On my drive up, I watched trees sway to 25-knot winds, and saw huge dark clouds make their way from the southwest.

For their custom song, Sarah had her heart set on ‘Love Story’ by Taylor Swift. As a guitarist, I always get a little nervous around country songs. While deceptively simple, they often feature very precise and unique playing. This song was no exception.

As guests began to arrive, the rain clouds literally parked themselves just west of the farm. As each minute passed, they inched themselves further and further to the north, letting the sun peek through for the entirety of the ceremony.

What I remember most about Sarah and Trevor’s wedding are the people. The owners of the farm went out of their way to make sure I had everything I needed. Setting up and loading out, we had fascinating conversations about art, technology and change. It’s always interesting the people you meet in the most unexpected of places.

Friends and family were extremely kind—going out of their way to let me know how much they enjoyed the music. Sarah and Trevor, in the midst of entertaining guests and taking photographs, were still able to find an un-rushed moment to talk about their history with the farm, and, of course, Taylor Swift.

Sarah also gets my vote for one of the most stunning dresses of the summer.

More updates from 2014 coming soon.

Jake

2015 Wedding, Corporate & Private Event Performance Schedule

01.07.15 – Ancaster Mill – Ancaster, ON
07.04.15 – Windermere House – Windermere, ON (Muskoka)
08.01.15 – Private Residence – Toronto, ON
09.12.15 – Brooklands Farm – Bracebridge, ON (Muskoka)
09.19.15 – Cave Spring Vineyard/Inn on the Twenty – Jordan, ON

2014 Wedding, Corporate & Private Event Performance Schedule

01.04.14 – Private Event – Huntsville, ON
02.01.14 – Irwin Inn – Stoney Lake, ON
04.12.14 – Archeo Restaurant – Distillery District – Toronto, ON
05.03.14 – Viamede Resort – Stoney Lake, ON
05.09.14 – Viamede Resort – Stoney Lake, ON
05.10.14 – Thompson Landry Gallery – Distillery District – Toronto, ON
05.21.14 – Steam Whistle Brewing – Toronto, ON
06.07.14 – Muskoka Steamships – Gravenhurst, ON (Muskoka)
06.13.14 – Toronto, ON (guitarist for Roveena)
06.21.14 – Private Residence – Pigeon Lake, ON
06.24.14 – Trent University – Peterborough, ON
06.28.14 – Sherwood Inn – Port Carling, ON (Muskoka)
07.06.14 – Windermere House – Windermere, ON (Muskoka)
07.12.14 – Berkeley Church – Toronto, ON
07.12.14 – Le Select Bistro – Toronto, ON
07.26.14 – Windermere House – Windermere, ON (Muskoka)
07.27.14 – The Old Mill – Toronto, ON
08.02.14 – Taboo Resort – Gravenhurst, ON (Muskoka)
08.03.14 – Queen’s University – Kingston, ON
08.06.14 – Wildfire Golf Club – Stoney Lake, ON
08.15.14 – Market Hall Performing Arts Centre – Peterborough, ON
08.16.14 – Windermere House – Windermere, ON (Muskoka)
08.23.14 – Bala Bay Inn – Bala, ON (Muskoka)
08.29.14 – Deerhurst Resort – Huntsville, ON (Muskoka)
08.30.14 – Le Select Bistro – Toronto, ON
09.06.14 – Marriott Kingston – Kingston, ON
09.07.14 – White Oaks Resort & Spa – Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
09.13.14 – Deer Creek Golf & Country Club – Ajax, ON
09.18.14 – Spin Desserts Grand Opening – Toronto, ON
09.19.14 – Private Event – Toronto, ON
09.20.14 – Private Residence – Uxbridge, ON
09.21.14 – L.J. Peters Corporate Event – Pillar & Post (Vintage Hotels), Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
09.26.14 – Trinity United Church – Peterborough, ON
09.27.14 – Grandview Golf Club – Huntsville, ON (Muskoka)
10.04.14 – Le Select Bistro – Toronto, ON
10.18.14 – Burleigh Island Lodge – Burleigh Falls, ON
10.25.14 – Corporate Event – The Westin Ottawa – Ottawa, ON
10.25.14 – Museum of Nature – Ottawa, ON
11.01.14 – Vineland Estates Winery – Vineland, ON
11.29.14 – Millcroft Inn & Spa (Vintage Hotels) – Caledon, ON
12.06.14 – Upper Canada Child Care Event – Sheraton – Toronto, ON
12.19.06 – Kirkland Engineering Event – Peterborough Golf & Country Club – Peterborough, ON

2014 Public Event Performance Schedule

01.15.14 – Trent University – The Ceilie – Peterborough, ON
02.14.14 – Irwin Inn – Stoney Lake, ON
02.16.14 – Irwin Inn – Stoney Lake, ON
04.20.14 – Parkhill on Hunter – Peterborough, ON
05.11.14 – Viamede Resort – Stoney Lake, ON
06.29.14 – Irwin Inn – Stoney Lake, ON
07.17.14 – Lantern Restaurant – McCraken’s Landing, ON (Stoney Lake)
08.01.14 – Irwin Inn – Stoney Lake, ON
08.31.14 – Irwin Inn – Stoney Lake, ON
12.31.14 – Irwin Inn – Stoney Lake, ON

2013 Wedding & Corporate Event Performance Schedule

01.26.13 – Locks Salon & Spa Event – Peterborough, ON
04.07.13 – Aria – Peterborough, ON
05.09.13 – Systagenix Event – Toronto, ON
05.11.13 – Casa Loma – Toronto, ON
05.18.13 – White Oaks Resort & Spa – Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
05.19.13 – Auberge du Pommier – Toronto, ON
05.23.13 – SSFC Private Event – Peterborough, ON
06.01.13 – Jamie Kennedy @ The Gardiner Museum – Toronto, ON
06.06.13 – Trent University – President’s Dinner – Peterborough, ON
06.08.13 – Graydon Hall Manor – Toronto, ON
06.15.13 – Greyhawk Golf Course – Ottawa, ON
06.29.13 – Irwin Inn – Stoney Lake, ON
07.05.13 – Evergreen Brickworks – Toronto, ON
07.06.13 – Willow Springs Winery – Stoufville, ON
07.13.13 – St. James Gardens  – Toronto, ON
07.20.13 – Holland Marsh Wineries – Newmarket, ON
07.26.13 – Parkwood Estates/Deer Creek Golf – Ajax, ON
07.27.13 – Private Event – Toronto, ON
08.04.13 – Inn on the Twenty – Jordan, ON
08.11.13 – Atlantis Pavillion – Toronto, ON
08.17.13 – Oakview Terrace – Toronto, ON
08.24.13 – Windermere House – Windermere, ON (Muskoka)
08.29.13 – Le Select Bistro – Toronto, ON
08.31.13 – Hart House – University of Toronto – Toronto, ON
09.07.13 – Rosewater Room – Toronto, ON
09.14.13 – Greystone Golf Club – Milton, ON
09.21.13 – Bala Bay Inn – Muskoka, ON
09.28.13 – Lumina Resort – Huntsville, ON
09.29.13 – Vineland Estates Winery – Vineland, ON
10.04.13 – Royal Ashburn Golf Club – Ashburn, ON
10.19.13 – Marriott Kingston – Kingston, ON
11.01.13 – Private Event – Toronto, ON
11.30.13 – Evinrude Centre (Private) – Peterborough, ON
12.03.13 – Market Hall Performing Arts Centre – Peterborough, ON
12.07.13 – Inn on the Twenty – Jordan, ON
12.15.13 – Private Event – Peterborough, ON
12.20.13 – Peterborough Golf & Country Club – Peterborough, ON

2013 Public Event Performance Schedule

02.14.13 – McKeck’s – Haliburton, ON
02.16.13 – Irwin Inn – Stoney Lake, ON
03.31.13 – Viamede Resort – Stoney Lake, ON
04.04.13 – Parkhill on Hunter – Peterborough, ON
05.12.13 – Viamede Resort – Stoney Lake, ON
06.30.13 – Irwin Inn – Stoney Lake, ON
09.06.13 – Market Hall – Peterborough, ON (Artsweek opening)
09.27.13 – JW Marriott – Minett, ON (Muskoka)
11.02.13 – Art Gallery of Peterborough – Peterborough, ON
12.06.13 – Prince of Wales Hotel – Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
12.31.13 – Irwin Inn – Stoney Lake, ON