Neighbour of Note: Seth McNall
As if being a music teacher with TVDSB, a very active freelance trombonist who has worked with several orchestras and theatre companies, numerous pop and rock performers, chamber groups as well as many jazz groups – the Baddist Big Band, Seth McNall Sextet and former Orchestra London to name a few – and being President of the London Musicians Association, and Chair of TVDSB Jazz Night, did not keep Seth McNall busy enough, he has also recently become Director for a new music charity called the London Jazz Association which funds the London Jazz Festival. Seth still made some time to tell us a little more about himself. Seth has, in addition to other credentials, a Jazz Performance Master of Music degree from McGill University, having studied arranging with Joe Sullivan, and Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education degrees from Western University. His interest in music was originally triggered by listening to the music that his family played in the car (radio and 8-track) or in the house. “My grandfather loved dinner music and played everything from symphonies to Louis Armstrong. My family usually played more blues, R&B like Aretha Franklin, and James Brown,” he recalls. Why trombone? “It’s funny because I wanted to play tenor sax like all the blues bands I grew up listening to,” says Seth, but when I went to select an instrument at my school, the other students had already grabbed them. “All that was left was a trombone. I was not impressed but took it home that night and made some typical first sounds (motorbike and toots). I was hooked!” Seth names career highlights to date – “with hopefully more to come – playing with Frank Sinatra Jr. and playing the actual sheet music used on all those classic Sinatra recordings. And I was lucky enough to play the closing night at The Brier Patch in 2023 with some incredible musicians,” he says. Seth is also an amateur brewmeister. “I make my own beer from grain to glass, as they say. I have a lot of fun creating new recipes and adapting techniques and equipment for the homebrewer. I also love relaxing in our backyard with my supportive wife and two kids. I love and listen to everything. My Apple playlist is hilarious. Everything from classical to jazz to rap to country. My daughter is loving Taylor Swift lately so I’ve got into her a bit more lately.” An Old South resident, Seth likes that the village is “self- sufficient with all kinds of shops and restaurants. It’s so
welcoming and it always has community activities going on. It’s the best neighbourhood in London!” Learn more about Seth at www.sethmcnall.com. For more information on the Jazz Society and London Jazz Festival, visit jazzassociationlondon.ca and londonjazzfestival.ca.
M ay 21 to May 31
Two estranged BFF’s have to reunite under extraordinary circumstances and “take out the trash” ...literally. By Simon Joynes Don’t miss your opportunity to experience this entertaining yet heartfelt story about friendship, garbage and second chances! Reserve Your Seats www.psft.ca 519-782-4353 PortStanleyFestival FestivalTheatre
PortStanley FestivalTheatre Summer Season 2025
Page 6 Wortley Villager • April 2025
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