“I was on three Debut Atlantic tours: in 1980, 1990 and 1996.  All three were terrific experiences, and each had its “interesting” aspects.

In particular the 1980 tour, which involved also the two singers Catherine Robbin and John Dodington, included a stop in Sydney, Nova Scotia.  We landed in a huge blizzard (VERY scary flight), made our way by taxi to the hotel, and were told that there were no rooms booked for us.  Moreover all the hotels in town were full!  Aaaaargh!  At any rate, we did eventually manage to find a place to sleep.  The concert was in a brand new facility – a large hall with a spanking new Steinway D.  The CBC guys were there setting up to record.  8p.m. came and we didn’t hear much chatter coming from the audience; eventually we went out on stage only to find a total of two people plus the CBC producer and his assistant in the seats!  Counting my page turner, there was an equal number of people onstage and in the hall!  We had a wonderful time that night though – the acoustics were excellent, and the piano a dream.  Too bad about the storm……

My other two tours, with the violinist Martin Beaver and the author Robert McNeil, were full of joyous music making, laughter, connections and of course the beauty of the Maritime provinces – the place of my birth (New Brunswick).”

– Jane Coop (August 23, 2014)