I should probably mention that the rhythm team on that session was "the Double Dave's" Dave Watt and Dave Lang. A killer band.

Mike Rud
 

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The worst jazz news I've heard in a long time is that Mike Rud, one of the hottest guitar players in the country, is leaving town. For Ottawa of all places! I think he's only been in Vancouver about three years or so, but in that time he made an incalculable contribution to the scene here.

I'd been hearing rumours about this guy long before he showed up here. I remember hearing him the first time, within days of his arrival, when he sat in with Mike Allen at the Jupiter, and was blown away - all the great things I'd heard about him confirmed and then some.

Not sure but I believe Mike's from Edmonton originally. Before moving to Vancouver he'd been in Montreal for a number of years where he got his Master's degree in Music from McGill University.

Mike leaves November 8 when he joins his lovely wife Suanne and two little girls, Kelly and Abby, in Ottawa. Maybe he'll become Minister of Jazz.

This is a great loss for Vancouver jazz lovers.

Well, we're in the process of setting up our new place here, and I just got my internet up and running. I just wanted to thank everyone in Vancouver's marvelous jazz scene, for all their warmth, interest, friendship and support. I had an amazing four years there, musically, and we made a lot of fantastic friends, and deepened older friendships.

I'm optimistic about life here in Ottawa. Suanne's really enjoying her work so far, and we've moved into a neat part of town, with everything I need inside a two block walk. Beautiful neighbourhood, full of picturesque old brick houses. It's freezing here of course, and there's snow. Oh well.

Things are moving forward; I've got some gigs coming up, one in town, and some in Montreal, which certainly is nice to revisit.

I guess my point is: thank you. I was very, very well treated by the wonderful players and jazz lovers of Vancouver. I'll make every effort to get back there to play in the coming years. You can find out what I'm up to by checking

www.mikerud.com

which is not up to date, but will be soon. You can always email me at:

my_crud@yahoo.com

Morgan, John, Paul, Brian, thanks for your kind words on this thread. It really drove home to me just how welcome I had felt the whole time we were there.

Thanks to Corey at the Cellar for running such a nifty club, and dealing so kindly and so well with the musicians. I'm not sure who to thank at O'Doul's, (Kelvin?) because I was only a leader there once, but holy smokes, was it ever nice to have a place that ran that much jazz music. I enjoyed several new years' eves there with Mike Allen, to say nothing of all the great work with Russ Botten. Finally, thanks to Brian Nation, for providing and maintaining this incredible site.

And now that I've become a member, I may be putting in my most obnoxious two cents, from a safe 3000 miles away, every now and then!

Take care everyone. In the words of the next president "I'll be back"

-Mike

That is bad news. So long Mike.

He's got TWO daughters now?! Last time I talked to him he only had one. I've got to start keeping in touch.

I first met Mike in 1999 in Montreal, on a recording session where he was subbing for Greg Clayton, who was unavoidably detained in Toronto and couldn't make the gig. I remember being a bit disappointed about not getting to play with Greg (although I did wind up playing a last minute job at Koji's with him a few days later) but Mike came in and just blew me away. I've still got those tapes somewhere, and they are killer.

Good luck to you and your family Mike. Come on down and see us in Nawlins if you feel the need to thaw out.

Sad to hear Mike's leaving (Ottawa has a jazz scene?). He's been our guest on Hot Air two or three times, and it's always been a treat. Mike is not only one of the best jazz guitarists on the planet; he's also able to talk intelligently about his music in a way that non-musicians can easily understand. Plus, he's one of the most easy-going guys around. No swelled head, no attitude -- just a real normal guy. We'll miss you and your music, Mike. Good luck in Ottawa. They say music hath sounds to soothe the savage breast, so maybe those political savages on the Hill will benefit from your musical presence. I know we'll all miss you. Y'all come back real soon, now, hear?

This makes me very sad indeed.... Mike is certainly one of my favorite people, and one of my favorite musicians... very fun to play with, and super supportive and inspiring. Here's hoping there will be a next time!