Rich McFarlane has been involved in the music industry for over 20 years. He started with a passion for music, especially jazz guitar. He played in the school jazz band when he was younger, and after hearing great things from a cousin attending Grant MacEwan University, set off for Edmonton. He had no idea that there would be a career for him in the music industry, he just wanted to play. However, after graduating with a diploma in Jazz Performance, he was soon on the road 6 nights a week, 40 weeks a year through contacts such as The Johner Brothers, Rock-N-Horse and Poverty Plainsmen. As well as playing as a session musician and composing for film, Rich became involved in the Saskatchewan Jazz Festival. Highlights of his days on the road include playing with Brad Johner and the Edmonton Symphony, Sierra Noble and Regina Symphony Orchestra, and overseas with Brad Johner and Sue Medley. He notes playing at all the big festivals, with Ricky Skaggs, and opening for the Neville Brothers was a pretty big deal too.
In 2008, with a desire to settle down and plant some roots, Rich opened Mosaic Music. “It was a way to make the transition and continue to be involved in music forever, full-time, without travel, and have a family,” says Rich.
What started as a recording studio in his house has turned into a public location with a store and music school. There are over a dozen teachers (including Rich) who offer lessons in piano, bass, drums, vocals, violin and guitar. When not teaching, he acts as producer and engineer at his studio (which won SCMA Awards in 2009, 2010 and 2012). To help promote the music he’s recorded and get the community involved, Rich organized a music expo at the E. A. Rawlinson Centre for the Arts in P.A. last year with Chilliwack and The Sheepdogs, and is planning to do another event in the future. He has also opened a second music store in the Gateway Mall, and has plans for a new website and online store specializing in guitar pedals.
To reach Mosaic Music, visit https://mosaicmusic.co/. The studio, music school and storefront are located at 1-3041 Sherman Drive, Prince Albert and the store is in the Gateway Mall at 1403 Central Avenue; phone 306-763-5916 or email frontdesk.mosaicmusic@sasktel.net.
