BANFF – Musicians in the Bow Valley are coming together and using their talents to help Jasper after the devastating wildfire that left the neighbouring mountain community in need of support.
Singers from Banff and Canmore will be echoing their voices through the St. George-in-the-Pines Anglican Church in Banff on Sunday (Oct. 6). Doors open at 7 p.m. and entry is by donation.
“People who’ve been affected by Jasper still need help, and we want to do something,” said musician Heather Jean Jordan.
The fundraiser, started by Ji Won Baxter, has brought seven musicians together for the concert, which will feature originals, covers and sing-alongs under the theme of “peace and hope.”
The audience can expect to see Jordan, Baxter, Irene Poole, Mari Rosehill, Emma Tonkinson, Jake Allan Parris and Emily O’Rourke take to the stage.
“I think that a lot of musicians – the first thing you kind of go to – is ‘how can I help?’” said Jordan.
“It’s also what I think music is for in a lot of ways. It’s for helping other people.”
Jordan played the church bells daily during the COVID-19 lockdown and will be bringing back the unique sounds for the concert.
“The bells really helped bring the community together through the pandemic, and we’re hoping to do the same thing here, but for Jasper,” she said.
Many people have ties to the mountain town through its similarity to the Bow Valley, or through friends and family. The same rings true for Jordan, who often visits Jasper with her husband on their anniversary and whose family, fortunately, saw little loss, although neighbours weren’t so lucky.
The wildfire took out 358 buildings from a total of 1,113 in the town.
“I think, [for] so many people in the valley, Jasper, feels like it’s us too. We are Jasper,” said Jordan. “We feel such a connection. There aren’t that many towns that you can have so many parallels.
“I also have family that lives up in Jasper, and they were really fortunate, only their garage was burnt down, but a lot of their neighbours lost their homes.”
Jordan, who’s been singing throughout the valley for years, said the church is one of the most “beautiful acoustic spaces” in the Bow Valley.
“It’s such a joy to actually sing and play there because it’s obviously meant for that,” she said. “The way the church itself is built; it just makes you sound so amazing.”
Jordan encourages people to spread the word about the concert while emphasizing it’s for everyone.
“I would just ask that people tell everyone they know and that anyone is welcome, all ages, all walks of life, come on out and we'll give them some opportunity to sing along too,” she said. “It should be a beautiful evening together and for the people of Jasper.”