Kieran Rambo was about six years old when his parents suggested he try some kind of musical instrument.
Fast forward 12 years and Rambo is a sought-after pianist with a love of jazz.
“After about two or three years of practising I came to enjoy it so much more,” says Rambo, noting it took a lot of practice before he could hear a song, sit down and play it. “Once I could do that, I really enjoyed it. I felt accomplished.”
Rambo began taking lessons in Vancouver, moving to the Shuswap just as he was on the cusp of loving his piano and craft.
“I moved up here and everything became real – so much more interesting, so many more opportunities,” he says, pointing out there are few opportunities to play on the Coast unless one is a professional. “I started playing in the SAS Jazz Combo with Gordon Waters and got a ton of opportunities to play gigs around town.”
Since then, Rambo has accompanied the Shuswap String Orchestra and played “cocktail jazz” at many restaurants around town, something he describes as “nice dinner music.”
“The biggest opportunity I had was to be musical director at Shuswap Theatre for four productions, including the Broadway fundraiser.”
Even though he grew up listening to his mother’s favourite ’70s music, Rambo’s first love is jazz, something he finds enjoyable to play.
“I like the contrast and how diverse it is, but I am not a fan of atonal, dissonant jazz,” he says. “It’s great in moderation, but I like the old-time swing, all the old mainstream jazz and big band stuff, like Duke Ellington, Oscar Peterson – so many other artists I could name.”
Rambo says his parents have always been supportive of his musical endeavours, giving him the freedom to choose his own path and never forcing him into music or to practising.
His family also shows support by attending his performances – including five nights of Shuswap Theatre’s version of Little Shop of Horrors.
“It’s nice to be supported like that; I don’t know if I’d be where I am today, musically speaking,” he says.
But there is all that practice.
Once in Salmon Arm, Rambo began taking classical lessons from Marjorie Duncan and, as her student, won gold in several Shuswap Music Festivals.
Retired music teacher and pianist about town, Jim Johnston, began giving Rambo private jazz lessons about a year after he arrived in the area.
“I’m still taking weekly lessons from him, but it’s more that we, as musicians, feed off each other. We learn something new every time we play together,” says Rambo, describing the journey from a teacher-pupil relationship to one of collaboration. “He’ll play something really cool and I’ll say, ‘can you show me how to do that?’ Then I can take it and apply it to my music.”
While he studied musical composition at SAS, Rambo never took jazz or concert band.
“I felt like the jazz combo was extracurricular and people actually wanted to be there – and practised,” he says, pointing out some students viewed participation in school bands as credits rather than a passion. “It’s just not the same quality. It didn’t make it enjoyable for someone who is passionate.”
Rambo showed his passion by attending one-hour, before-school practices two mornings a week.
“Music is a great way to start your day; it wakes you up, makes you concentrate and get ready for the day.”
When he’s not indulging his passion for the piano, Rambo enjoys playing soccer and baseball, hiking, snowboarding and quadding.
He is enrolled in a four-year jazz studies program at North Vancouver’s Capilano College this fall.
“I can’t wait, it’s gonna be an amazing experience,” he says, looking beyond his degree and pointing out his goal is to one day sell out stadiums. “I want my music to be heard. I’m not sure of the steps to take to get there, but I’m thinking of starting off as a studio musician.”