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Brownstein: Trevor Payne to leave Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir limelight

Trevor Payne will remain artistic director and producer of Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir — “but from behind the scenes and definitely off the stage”

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“Even he asked me why I have stayed so long with him,” Kenrick Julien says. “I told him I guess I wouldn’t have stayed this long if I didn’t really love him. He can be tough, but he just raises my spirits, all our spirits.”

Julien is referring to Dr. Trevor Payne, with whom he has been from the very beginning, raising spirits of audiences everywhere for the last 43 years — the first eight years with the Montreal Black Community Youth Choir and the balance with the Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir.

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But Sunday at Place des Arts will mark Payne’s final turn as maestro at the 35th annual Christmas Gospel Celebration. And Payne will appear centre stage for the last time with the choir, accompanied by L’Orchestre symphonique de Longueuil, Dec. 7, at the Salle Pratt & Whitney Canada du Théâtre de la Ville in Longueuil for Célebration Gospel.

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Payne’s plan following these two concerts is to remain as the choir’s artistic director and producer — “but from behind the scenes and definitely off the stage.”

Understandably, it is with heavy hearts that Kenrick and his fellow 44 choir members as well as 10 musicians prepare for their last rehearsal with Payne putting them through the motions. The setting is a room in Concordia’s downtown John Molson School of Business — and it is all business as Payne, dapperly attired in a three-piece suit, seeks to bring order to proceedings.

He admonishes two late-arriving musicians. “You’re not just late — you’re super late.”

They claim parking woes detained them. Payne rolls his eyes.

“So why am I giving up the baton? If you had any idea what my life is like in the last two weeks of a show, when nothing is on time and it’s all on my shoulders, and then I have to get dressed and go on stage …” Payne tells me while waiting for the latecomers to take their places. “Up to the end of the sound check, it’s nothing but pressure. I just don’t want to do that anymore. So I won’t be on the stage anymore. But the choir isn’t going anywhere.”

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“Rehearsals are where the magic is,” Trevor Payne says, “really, in spite of all the madness.”
“Rehearsals are where the magic is,” Trevor Payne says, “really, in spite of all the madness.” Photo by Allen McInnis /Montreal Gazette

In addition to his future choir functions, Payne has other musical plans to pursue as well. But there’s no denying Payne will be missed on stage. He is the ultimate showman.

Music has been his life. He was singing as a toddler in his native Barbados. Not long after his family moved to Montreal, the teenage Payne started the R&B group Trevor Payne and the Triangle, which became one of the city’s hot club acts and went on to perform with the likes of Van Morrison, The Doors, Joe Cocker, Jefferson Airplane, Jethro Tull and Johnny Winter.

But he was later to discover the power and joy of gospel. With Daisy Peterson Sweeney (Oscar Peterson’s sister), he founded the Montreal Black Community Youth Choir, which was to beget the Jubilation Gospel Choir.

Trevor Payne at his final rehearsal with the Montreal Jubilation Choir.
Trevor Payne at his final rehearsal with the Montreal Jubilation Choir. Photo by Allen McInnis /Montreal Gazette

The choir has performed for kings and queens and heads of state — including Nelson Mandela and Queen Elizabeth — all over the world. It has also cut a dozen discs and has made 14 appearances at the Montreal International Jazz Festival. In recognition of his work, Payne was invested into the Order of Canada in 1996 and he was awarded the 1994 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Award for his promotion of gospel music.

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But the constant grind has taken its toll. Nearly a decade back,  Payne had to overcome prostate cancer. Now, at 68, he would simply like to slow down.

Payne doesn’t deny he loves the limelight. “But I’ll tell you what I love more, the rehearsals. This is where the magic is for me … really, in spite of all the madness,” he says, barely concealing a smile. “These are the moments that most stand out for me — even beyond some of the memorable concerts we’ve done over the years.”

Seconds later, the choir and musicians are all in sync as they perform To The Glory of God, followed by what may be the funkiest rendering ever of Silent Night — featuring a killer alto-sax solo by David Bellemare (who has played with the likes of Jean Leloup and the late Bob Walsh).

There is no faking the mood, either. Choir and band members are transfixed. It’s a wonder the windows in the room haven’t shattered.

One does not have to be of the faith to appreciate the power of this gospel, even in a rehearsal.  Doubtless, Payne and the performers have converted many a doubter into believer for at least an evening over the last 35 years.

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Florence Emako smiles as she watches a choir member's daughter during rehearsal with Trevor Payne and Montreal Jubilation Choir.
Florence Emako smiles as she watches a choir member’s daughter during rehearsal with Trevor Payne and Montreal Jubilation Choir. Photo by Allen McInnis /Montreal Gazette

“There is no mystery about the success of Trevor,” says singer/songwriter/guitarist Sule Heitner, renowned in his own right on the local music scene. “He has always been such a dynamic performer, and is able to infuse that energy into the choir. Choir members, past and present, have joined just to be under his mentorship.

“It’s one thing to know so much about music and to be a musical genius, but Trevor is also a showman. Hopefully, someone will be able to pick up the slack and replace him in their own way. It won’t be easy. There are also many more elements to his job in putting all the pieces together.”

Overhearing these remarks, Payne rolls his eyes again. “Getting the music together is tough enough. But then making sure that the hall is ready, that the sound levels are right, that the technical crew is on,” he says. “The problem now is that when I should be at the top of my game in terms of energy, I’m on automatic pilot, because getting ready is just so draining.

“I’ve ended up in the hospital a few times after finishing concerts. Yes, of course, I’m going to miss being on stage. I’m very troubled by that.”

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Back to rehearsal. The choir does a flawless and uplifting rendering of its signature Calypso Christmas take on Joy to the World, O Come All Ye Faithful and Gloria in Excelsis Deo.

“That was perfect,” Payne tells the choir. “You see, you don’t really need me.”

Choir members try to hold back their tears — but to little avail. Payne, too.

AT A GLANCE

The Montreal Gospel Choir performs its Christmas Gospel Celebration, Sunday at 8 p.m. at Théâtre Maisonneuve in Place des Arts: placedesarts.com, 514-842-2112. The show is sold out.

The choir, accompanied by L’Orchestre symphonique de Longueuil, performs Célebration Gospel, Dec. 7, at 8 p.m. at the Salle Pratt & Whitney Canada du Théâtre de la Ville in Longueuil: osdl.ca or 450-466-6661.

bbrownstein@postmedia.com

twitter.com/billbrownstein

Trevor Payne, with Janice Montreuil, at his last rehearsal of the Montreal Jubilation Choir.
Trevor Payne, with Janice Montreuil, at his last rehearsal of the Montreal Jubilation Choir. Photo by Allen McInnis /Montreal Gazette
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