Heather Burns > Musician / Pianist / Music Director

"Road Back Home" is Heather's 2nd CD, released in November 2008. It delivers the same instrumental beauty and colour as her debut CD "Child's Play", and adds a mix of African rhythm and percussion to the musical canvas. She partnered with Victoria Producer, Joby Baker and credits his creativity and ability to bring the music to life as taking this project to places that far exceeded what she initially hoped or imagined.

The recording features original compositions (Road Back Home, Somna - for Connor, McKerracher Sunset) mixed with Heather's own arrangements of traditional music including Carols (Huron Carol, Do You Hear, Drummer Boy), Celtic jigs and airs (Bovaglie's Plaid, Blue Bonnets over the Border) and Irish folk songs (Carrick Fergus, Planxty Irwin). It is replete with rich harmonic voicings, African rhythms, lyrical melodies and Heather's unique and tasteful piano stylings.

Heather is supported by some of Vancouver Island's most brilliant musicians. Joey Smith (bass); Kelby MacNayr (drums); Chris Bertin and Dean Samuel (percussion); Chris Newstead (whistles); Paul O'Brien (bazouki); Adrian Dolan (accordian) and Joby Baker (guitar, bass, percussion).

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT "ROAD BACK HOME"

"...each instrumental track tells a story of its own"
"a stunning and ever so thoughtul communication of rich tone and colour"
"...elegant and tasteful while creating powerful imagery for the listener"
"...a performance fresh and quietly understated in a way the leaves the soul feeling satisfied."

Click the play buttons for MP3 sound clips:

Do You Hear
Road Back Home
Drummer Boy
Blue Bonnets Over the Border
Huron Carol
Sidney in the Morning
Somna (for Connor)
McKerracher Sunset
Bovaglie's Plaid
Carrick Fergus
1st Noel
Little Town

"Child’s Play" is the debut CD from pianist and native Vancouver Island musician, Heather Burns. It is an instrumental mix of music reflecting the jazz, Celtic and classical influences that have cultivated her musical style over 15 years of study and training. The blend of jazz rhythms, lush harmonies, and haunting Celtic melodies combined with the colours of various instrumental combinations create a relaxing musical journey for every listener.

It features some of Victoria’s finest musicians: Don Leppard on drums; Anita Bonkowski on bass; Paul O’Brien on guitar and bazouki; Chris Newstead on whistle; and cellist Larry Skaggs. Tracks include her own arrangements of “A Foggy Day”, “Harlem Nocturne”, “If Ever You Were Mine”, “Fields of Gold”, “Be Thou My Vision” and Chopin’s “Prelude in B Minor”, among others. The reviews are in…

“Wonderfully soothing! Mystical! Contemplative! Enriching! Peaceful!”
“A beautiful sound start to finish. Satisfying yet leaves you wanting more”
“Child’s Play takes you on a journey…..
diverse, complex yet tastefully simple to the listener.”

Click the play buttons for MP3 sound clips: