EV Tribute to Rick Wilkins LIVE In Concert - SOLD OUT! (May 2017)

Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
May 11, 2017

Photos by Marion Voysey & Slav Kov

ENSEMBLE VIVANT and RICK WILKINS C. M.
For 3 decades Rick Wilkins and Ensemble Vivant’s pianist/artistic director Catherine Wilson, have enjoyed a rich musical collaboration. From the outset Rick championed the group’s artistry, sensitive musicality, and diverse range of styles and genres. Ensemble Vivant’s Tribute to Rick Wilkins gives a glimpse into the wealth of inspired, imaginative, brilliant repertoire that Canadian music icon, and close friend Rick Wilkins has written for Ensemble Vivant. Rick is also an honorary board member of Euterpe: Music for Health Canada, which Catherine founded. His advocacy of Euterpe has deep roots as he speaks about how music inspired him in his youth and how it became his life.

Ensemble Vivant’s Tribute to Rick Wilkins was recorded and filmed Live-in-Concert at Grace Church on the Hill on May 11, 2017.

Photos by Marion Voysey & Slav Kov

EV sold-out Tribute to Rick Wilkins concert, May 11, 2017 at Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto. L to R: Brian Barlow, percussion; Jim Vivian, bass; Corey Gemmell, violin; Catherine Wilson, piano; Sybil Shanahan, cello; Norman Hathaway, viola; Guido Basso, flugelhorn; Mike Murley, sax. Photo by Marion Voysey

Ensemble Vivant Tribute to Rick Wilkins, May 11, 2017 at Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto. Catherine Wilson (extreme R) with members of Wilkins Family; Rick Wilkins (fourth from L) at reception following the concert. Photo by Marion Voysey

Ensemble Vivant Tribute to Rick Wilkins, May 11, 2017 at Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto. Rick Wilkins and Ensemble Vivant’s pianist/artistic director Catherine Wilson at reception following the concert. Photo by Marion Voysey

Ensemble Vivant Tribute to Rick Wilkins, May 11, 2017 at Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto. Rick Wilkins, C.M. and pianist Catherine Wilson at reception following the sold-out concert. Photo by Marion Voysey

Ensemble Vivant Tribute to Rick Wilkins, May 11, 2017 at Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto. EV’s pianist Catherine Wilson with Jazz Icon Phil Nimmons at intermission. Photo by Marion Voysey

Ensemble Vivant Tribute to Rick Wilkins, May 11, 2017 at Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto. EV’s pianist Catherine Wilson, L, with jazz great Phil Nimmons and Songbird Icon Anne Murray. Photo by Marion Voysey

Ensemble Vivant Tribute to Rick Wilkins, May 11, 2017 at Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto. Ensemble Vivant guest performer Guido Basso, flugelhorn (centre) with Canadian Icon, Anne Murray and her bass player Peter Cardinelli Photo by Marion Voysey

Ensemble Vivant Tribute to Rick Wilkins, May 11, 2017 at Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto. EV pianist Catherine Wilson. Photo by Marion Voysey

Ensemble Vivant Tribute to Rick Wilkins, May 11, 2017 at Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto. Ensemble Vivant’s Jim Vivian, bass and Catherine Wilson, piano in performance. Photo by Marion Voysey

Ensemble Vivant Tribute to Rick Wilkins, May 11, 2017 at Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto. Ensemble Vivant core group in performance. L to R: Jim Vivian, bass; Corey Gemmell, violin; Catherine Wilson, piano; Sybil Shanahan, cello; Norman Hathaway, viola. Photo by Marion Voysey

Ensemble Vivant Tribute to Rick Wilkins, May 11, 2017 at Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto. L to R: Jim Vivian, bass, speaking to audience; Corey Gemmell, violin; Catherine Wilson, piano; Sybil Shanahan, cello Photo by Marion Voysey

Ensemble Vivant Tribute to Rick Wilkins, May 11, 2017 at Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto. EV’s manager Ian Davies with EV’s cellist Sybil Shanahan conducting a draw for prizes following intermission of concert. Photo by Marion Voysey

Ensemble Vivant Tribute to Rick Wilkins, May 11, 2017 at Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto. EV guest performer Mike Murley in performance. Photo by Marion Voysey

Ensemble Vivant Tribute to Rick Wilkins, May 11, 2017 at Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto. EV guest performer Brian Barlow, percussion in performance. Photo by Marion Voysey

Ensemble Vivant Tribute to Rick Wilkins, May 11, 2017 at Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto. EV guest performer Guido Basso, flugelhorn speaking to audience. Photo by Marion Voysey

Ensemble Vivant Tribute to Rick Wilkins, May 11, 2017 at Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto. Rick Wilkins (extreme R) with members of the Wilkins Family and EV’s pianist Catherine Wilson (4th from L) and EV guest performer Guido Basso, flugelhorn (5th from L) at reception following the sold-out concert. Photo by Marion Voysey

Ensemble Vivant Tribute to Rick Wilkins, May 11, 2017 at Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto. Saxophonist Mike Murley in performance. Photo by Marion Voysey

Ensemble Vivant Tribute to Rick Wilkins, May 11, 2017 at Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto. EV's violist Norman Hathaway at dress rehearsal on concert day. Photo by Marion Voysey

Ensemble Vivant Tribute to Rick Wilkins, May 11, 2017 at Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto. EV guest, Guido Basso, flugelhorn, at dress rehearsal. Photo by Marion Voysey

Ensemble Vivant’s violinist Corey Gemmell at dress rehearsal for EV’s Tribute to Rick Wilkins, May 11, 2017 at Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto. Photo by Marion Voysey

Ensemble Vivant Tribute to Rick Wilkins, May 11, 2017 at Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto. Graham and Paulette Wilkins with Ensemble Vivant’s pianist Catherine Wilson (centre) at reception following the concert. Photo by Marion Voysey

Ensemble Vivant Tribute to Rick Wilkins, May 11, 2017 at Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto. From L. to R: Rick Wilkins, Catherine Wilson, Paulette Wilkins, Graham Wilkins at reception following the concert. Photo by Marion Voysey

Ensemble Vivant Tribute to Rick Wilkins, May 11, 2017 at Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto. Long-time friend of Ensemble Vivant, Karen Fydenchuk at reception following the sold-out concert. Photo by Marion Voysey

Ensemble Vivant Tribute to Rick Wilkins, May 11, 2017 at Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto. EV’s pianist/artistic director Catherine Wilson speaking to audience; EV’s cellist Sybil Shanahan. Photo by Marion Voysey

Ensemble Vivant Tribute to Rick Wilkins, May 11, 2017 at Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto. Jim Vivian, bass, reading a message from Don Thompson, O.C. to Rick Wilkins; Corey Gemmell, violin; Catherine Wilson, piano; Sybil Shanahan, cello. Photo by Marion Voysey

Ensemble Vivant Tribute to Rick Wilkins, May 11, 2017 at Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto. EV’s bass and piano duo in concert Jim Vivian and Catherine Wilson. Photo by Marion Voysey

Ensemble Vivant Tribute to Rick Wilkins, May 11, 2017 at Grace Church on the Hill, Toronto. Ensemble Vivant’s violist Norman Hathaway seated. Jazz saxophonist Vern Dorge speaking to audience about how Rick Wilkins’ sax playing inspired him. This is a ‘Euterpe’ story through and through! Vern first heard Rick performing on CBC radio as a youth and that experience planted the seeds for his brilliant musical path. Photo by Marion Voysey