Luke Mercier & Rolling River
Luke Mercier
Musical Instrument Construction and Restoration
For the past 15 years Luke has built a reputation as a restorer of fine and rare violins, a maker of violins and more recently, banjos inspired by those made during the later half of the ninetenth century in America. Since 1991, Luke has played a significant role in a shop setting of highly gifted and enthusiastic craftsmen; party to a consistantly high level of stringed instrument restoration at Geo. Heinl & Co. Ltd in Toronto, Canada's foremost violin house currently presided over by Ric Heinl who represents the fourth generation of Heinl violin makers/experts/dealers
As violin restorer he has completed restorations to rare works by such makers as: Antonio Stradivarius, Francesco Stradivarius and Joannes Batista Guadagnini -to name a few. His exposure to fine antiquities is without doubt evident in his instrument making.
Luke's Music / Upcoming Gigs and Appearances
As a classical music composer he has had works performed by internationally acclaimed performing and recording artists.
Luke's foundation in music began at the piano at age four with his mother Leslie, a very competent pianist. In his early years he often played feature solos at school assemblies, commencements and other community functions until eventually seeking out further instruction with world-renowned, Juno award winning recording artist Antonin Kubalek at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.
Luke's auto-didactic journey through composition...
At age 18, his solo piano work entitled Five Meditations was premiered by Antonin Kubalek and performed to critical acclaim. Kubalek later stated in a letter of recommendation dated Sept. 9 1994
(..I feel this young composer is unusually gifted. My experiece as a frequent performer of contemporary Canadian compositions leaves me with the wholehearted opinion that Luke Mercier is one of the most promising musicians I have ever encountered)
Inspired to continue, Luke went on to compose works for such artists as: The Gryphon Trio pianist Jamie Parker and Tokyo String Quartet's 1st violinist Martin Beaver
He has had works published by the Frederick Harris Music Co. Ltd and his music has been featured on both CBC National Radio and Prime Time Television.
"...Luke Mercier's composition for piano trio was impressive as an unapologetically traditional prentice work.."
Tamera Bernstein ~ Toronto Globe & Mail
Luke Mercier catalog of works:
- 5 Meditations for piano solo
- Triptych for solo piano
- 5 Waltzes for piano solo
-24 Preludes for piano solo
- Trio for piano, violin and cello
- Ballade Toxique for piano, strings, winds and percussion
- Fantasy for violin and piano
- Prelude, Passacaglia and Fugue for contrabass and piano
- Piece for Guitar in Two Movements
- Prelude, Passacaglia and Fugue for solo guitar
- Interlude for solo guitar - Published - Frederick Harris Music Co. Ltd.
(Coming Soon! Audio Samples of public performances)
Collaborations:
- 4 Pieces for brass quartet and percussion (1996- three of which were co-composed with Andy Creeggan)
(brass quartet=trumpet, horn, trombone and tuba)
- In a Field for violin, cello and double bass (1996-co-composed with Andy Creeggan)
These works appeared on Andiwork I
In popular music circles Luke has worked with artists such as: Andy Creeggan, David Leask, John Borra, Jack Lenz, Douglas John Cameron among others.
In 1997, his formidable funk/rock super group 'Magnificent Octopus was formed. After a hundred or so appearances in the Toronto Club circuit and numerous recording projects they disbanded three years later. Among the highlights of this project were the release of their album CD 'boy on a lobster' featuring the percussion stylings of Andy Creeggan and a later recording entitled 'Lungfish'
Since Since 1998, Luke has shifted his musical focus toward oral music traditions drawing inspiration from early Appalachian fiddle~banjo music, African American string band and pre-blues musics, Irish and French Canadian fiddle music and the list goes on..
"Music is not an escape;
it presents a way to make it possible for life to go on."
-John Cohen
The oral tradition continues...
(Jake Mercier age 9 mos. practicing his drop-thumb technique)
On the eve of November 12th, 2004 Luke and Janet welcomed their son Jake Calum Mercier into the world.