Flash! Don and Brent have just had the honour of winning the prestigious Brampton Arts Council "Bravo" Award for the Best Performance by a solo or small ensemble for the 2008/2009 season.
"I was tremendously impressed by the level of talent, skill and
musicianship that you both seemed to so effortlessly share with the
audience. It is very clear that you have both seriously engaged in the
very challenging but rewarding process of cooperative music creation;
not just in the well conceived original songs that you both write, but
also in the actual sounds and energy that you spontaneously create on
stage through performance. Your set list, arrangements, harmonies and
solos all demonstrated a depth of musical connection and understanding
that is truly wonderful to participate in as an audience member. "
Jason R. M. Saunders
Brampton Arts Council
Adjudicator 2008-2009 Season
The love of acoustic fingerstyle guitar brought Don Ablett and Brent Cooper together some years ago. With common influences such as Bruce Cockburn, John Fahey, and Stefan Grossman, they have developed a style that has thrilled fans young and old around Southern Ontario. Both have a strong history of performance, Brent through his former years touring with the rock band, Mankind, and Don through many years of coffee houses and festivals.
Two of the most outstanding features noted by audiences are Brent and Don’s vocal harmonies and the complex and spectacular fingerstyle interplay between the two guitars.
Their first collaborative effort led to three tunes on Don’s CD, “Just Off Main Street” (2004). That success prompted them to write and record, culminating in their thoughtful, new CD, “Changing Landscapes” (June 2008). Their originals are greatly influenced by the environment around them. “The Sadness I Feel” is an introspective solo guitar piece about the pressures on human and animal environments. “Red Rover” poignantly raises the issues of the declining farmscape in this country. Family also provides inspiration, with four guitar pieces on the CD. “Shellana” is a lively song about Brent’s two daughters while “Transitions” is about his son Josh’s journey into independence and adulthood. Don’s “Lullaby for Christopher” is about the loss of a child, and “Graham Descending” is reflective of Don’s son’s passion for downhill bike racing.
The two musicians want to provide audiences of all ages with memorable instrumentals and songs with thought provoking lyrics. Some recent quotes clearly attest to their success:
Your superb finger style guitar and vocal harmonies are indeed a listening delight. The audience clearly enjoyed every piece you played and sang.
Becky Ryder, Museums of Mississauga
Your lullabye is quite simply one of the most exquisite tunes I've ever heard - I can't get it out of my head!
George Scott, Alliston, Ontario
I love Don & Brent's CD. I play it in my car and it makes a long trip much shorter.
Jan Zimmerman
The music was wonderful! We talked about it in our team de-briefing meeting - that it got people talking, and really entertained the people.
Leigh Barnett, William Osler Health Centre
Don and Brent have a wonderful sound and the songs stay with you. I find myself singing them around the house and in the car.
Red Rover is destined to become a Canadian classic. The instrumental pieces are moving and evocative.
Jeannine Farrar
Don and Brent are not satisfied to keep their music local. They love playing for audiences large and small. With encouragement from virtually every quarter, their plans include more radio play, magazine coverage and travel around the province.