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"There are many wonderful things you can find in Canada like trees and hmmm, OK, mostly trees. There are many wonderful musicians you can find in Canada. Folks who know what to do with those trees once they are made into guitars. The list includes fingerstyle masters Don Ross, Bruce Cockburn and Bob Evans (the Winfield fingerstyle winner, not the restaurant). Add one more name: Jay Calder. His CD "Breakfast with Barnabas", is an inspired collection of fingerstyle and melodic prowess. The challenge of instrumental music is to capture something of the world we live in, distill it and present it in a way that others can understand. Jay answers the challenge by expressing truth, beauty, creativity and encouragement all without saying a word. The listener with an open heart will hear and understand this is the good stuff."
John
Morgan |
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"It gives me great pleasure to write this letter of introduction for
solo guitarist Jay Calder. In over 20 years of pastoral ministry, I
have rarely heard the guitar brought to life the way that Jay does. It
becomes immediately obvious that Jay is a person who has been blessed
with a gift, as he plays his guitar to the glory of God. The tones and
melodies that come from the strings of Jay's guitar definitely have a
special touch of the Holy Spirit upon them.
When Jay played at our Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday services, there was an immediate hush over the congregation as they sensed the presence of God. I want to highly recommend Jay and his ministry to you, knowing that he will be a blessing to you and your church."
Rev. Donald G. Mills
Senior Pastor
Wilmot Centre Missionary Church
Petersburg, Ontario
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"Jay Calder performed as the featured
artist at the 2003 Waterloo Oxford
Music Awards. During the show he kept the
audience of staff, students and parents
absolutely riveted with a perfect combination of acoustic guitar virtuosity, engaging wit, and outstanding musicianship. A master of his craft, Jay carefully laid out a concert program that fully showcased the musical range of the guitar while providing a range of styles that appealed to every listener in the audience. His ease and manner on stage make him an obvious choice for every age group. I would wholeheartedly
recommend Jay Calder as an acoustic guitar
master, a superb musician and a dazzling performer."
Mark Domm Music Teacher Waterloo Oxford District Secondary School |
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"We were absolutely blessed and amazed by
the music ministry of Jay Calder during our Sunday morning worship
service. His heart and his gifts overflowed as he demonstrated his
unique acoustic abilities and creative musical scores. He is truly a
gifted individual! We are thankful he was willing to come and share his
gifts with us!"
Hiese Hill Brethren In Christ Congregation
Gormley, Ontario
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and a musical gift that flows", is the best way to describe a service with musician and friend Jay Calder. Musician for sure as he skilfully and wonderfully plays original and reworked pieces on his guitar as unto the Lord, with an anointing that is real and powerful. One can also quickly call Jay a friend when he ministers, as his personality, wit and caring flow quickly from his heart to those he is ministering to. This was our experience here at Listowel Evangelical Missionary Church where we hosted Jay for two numbers in the morning service and a full concert in the evening. All the comments from our church family (young and old alike) were positive, for Jay has a way of crossing the age boundaries, ministering to the entire fellowship. We will look forward to having Jay back again in the future." Rob Gulliver Senior Pastor Listowel Evangelical Missionary Church |
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"Hi Jay! Thanks for the blessing you
heaped on the Cedar Creek Church's 10th anniversary! Your humble spirit
and titanic talent are
both a great testimony to our Saviour, and you
are a great ambassador for our faith."
Greg Simpson
Cedar Creek Community Church
Cambridge, Ontario
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Dear Jay and Sandy, Thank you so much for
blessing our church Saturday evening. It was inspiring to watch you
perform and share with our congregation. I was not entirely kidding when
I said I didn't know if we should have an alter call at the end or
finish our evening. It was wonderful to witness someone use their art in
the church, something that we have lost as a whole. We can both be
active in creative worship, and appreciative of others' creative
worship. May you continue to use the "present" that God has given you,
and allowed you to develop to bring Him glory in any and every venue and
opportunity. You had us awestricken, both teens and seniors alike. What
a great multi-generational evening.
Philip Niemi
Youth Pastor
Vineland Missionary Church
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"Within a few short bars of Jay Calder's,
"Breakfast With Barnabas", one knows one is listening to a master of his
craft. But Jay is more than a master of the acoustic guitar. By the
nuanced melodies of his original compositions, his respectful yet unique
arrangements of familiar songs, and his energetic and percussive style,
it is obvious that Jay is a musician first and a technician second. I'm
a fan!"
Steve Bell
Christian Artist, two-time Juno Award
recipient
Winnipeg, Manitoba
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