Jon Rehder happy to be recognized by 'mainstream'

Island musician Jon Rehder says he hopes being named the Doug Riley Artist for 2016 will help raise his profile a little.

Because, he said, "that's all we have at this point in the industry."

"When I started playing music it was a career and you could work and make a good living and it doesn't really exist that way anymore, it's much more about a profile that you try to manage," he said during Spintime on CBC's Mainstreet.

Calling him one of P.E.I.'s "best loved and most highly respected musicians," the TD P.E.I. Jazz and Blues Festival last month named Rehder its Doug Riley Artist.

I've never been much of a schmoozer so to get recognized even though I'm not sort of in the mainstream of the scene, it's an honour. Jon Rehder

According to its website, the designation is awarded each year to an Island artist who "exemplifies the spirit of dedication to musical excellence personified by Doug Riley, the late, great keyboard master, composer, producer and arts exponent who chose P.E.I. as his home."

'It's an honour'

Rehder said as someone who plays music "on the fringe," he was surprised by how touched he was to receive the recognition.

"I've never been much of a schmoozer so to get recognized even though I'm not sort of in the mainstream of the scene, it's an honour."

Now he hopes it translates to more gigs.

"I have a profile as an accompanist, I'm trying now to raise my profile more so I can do more solo work so something like this always helps."

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