Alumni Spotlight on James MacKenzie

For one alum, the road to joining Up with People (UWP) didn’t start with a simple “Let’s go see this cool show” from a friend. For James MacKenzie (’83E), the path was a bit sadder.

James had been in university for a couple of years, majoring in computer programming, when a car accident in the fall of 1982 took the lives of his girlfriend and three others. So when an opportunity arose soon after to see a show, he drove three hours just to do something that seemed positive. After the show, he decided that he needed a break and something good to look forward to. By January of 1983, he was on the road. That chance decision led to working with Scott Dickey, Herb Allen and David Mackay, and opened the mind of this young man to the possibility of a career in music and education. It took him away from his initial choice of computer programming but turned him toward an arena he loved and embraced.

James returned to school after UWP and earned degrees in music education, history, and distance education. He spent his career teaching and sharing what he loved. As life moved on, music never left him. He played percussion in musical theater shows, jazz groups, brass bands, and other gigs. He played keyboard for weddings and funerals. One night, he filled in at a local pub for a keyboard player who was sick, and that group quickly became a trio.
They dubbed themselves “Ice – No Slice” after the saxophone player ordered a ginger ale with ice but no slice of fruit, and the bartender suggested it would make a great band name.

James’ retirement from teaching led him seamlessly into performing as a full-time musician and bringing joy to those who needed to be reminded of their history and love of tunes from a time long past. He began playing in facilities for patients with memory issues when his mother moved into one. He says he will never forget his first gig. Fourteen people were wheeled into the dining area where he was playing. As he played “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” they started singing, and ultimately 12 of them were up dancing. He played for 90 minutes straight.

With COVID-19 came challenges, and yet the need was great! James’ background in distance education led him to doing gigs via Skype. As a member of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM), James would submit paperwork to the local union office for these streamed shows, drawing the attention of the Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF). The MPTF was created to support professional musicians through the various union locals across Canada and the USA. Anytime you see projects like Symphonies in the Schools or other free concerts sponsored through the AFM locals, you can probably thank the MPTF for helping to make it a reality. Thanks to them, James continues to spread joy and warm memories to those who need it most.

In fact, James was recently recognized for the impact of his work for MusicianFest, sponsored by the AFM, with his band Ice – No Slice. They devote an hour each week to bring live music to residents in long term care experiencing dementia by engaging them with songs from their era. They do this via an weekly broadcast to multiple care homes across Canada, with some additional viewers in the United States. This initiative highlights something all alumni know VERY WELL, the power of music (in this case as therapy), fostering connection and well-being even for those in advanced stages of memory care.