Brain Axford conducts the orchestra at the Park Playhouse Wednesday night, Aug. 7, 2013, during a production of OShrek the Musical,O at Washington Park in Albany, N.Y. (Ben Goldman/Times Union)
Background: Born in Watertown, he grew up in Glenmont, graduated from McGill University in Montreal with a bachelor's degree in music studies and received a master's degree in jazz piano from Rutgers University. He has been a working musician since Bethlehem High School, playing piano and organ for local church congregations. Axford moved to Brooklyn, where he taught piano, played at jazz clubs, did session work for singer-songwriters and played on soul singer Martin Goyette's new album "Sweet Warm Jelly."
In June 2012 Axford and his wife, Lauren, and their daughter, Isis, now 15 months old, moved back to Glenmont and now plan to buy a home in Voorheesville.
As a jazz man, what do you enjoy about playing in churches?
I incorporate jazz into gospel blues that I play with the traditional church songs and hymns.
I also really love three-part harmonies. Sometimes I'll play a classical piece. Sometimes I'll bring in my guitar, and sometimes I'll sing a duet with my wife.
I like playing Rhodes and Wurlitzer electric pianos because they have a really cool sound. More recently I've been teaching myself the hammer dulcimer. I wouldn't say that I've mastered it, but a few weeks ago I played "I'll Fly Away" at a Sunday Mass. I'm going to keep practicing.
In July you also played at the Montreal Jazz Festival.
I had attended it every year when I was going to school up there, so it was always something I wanted to play. It's a great festival. If you love jazz there are a lot of great acts to see. I played with Martin Goyette as part of a quartet that featured a double bass, guitar, and Martin on harmonica. You could describe our sound as acoustic blues. I would definitely love to play the festival again next year.
You just finished "Monty Python's Spamalot" and now you're music director of "Shrek the Musical" that opened Tuesday in Washington Park. How long have you been doing theater?
Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Faces-of-Faith-Church-music-with-a-touch-of-jazz-4721265.php
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