Elizabeth Riley Band's ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Roots
Patricia Reynolds and Jen Gilbert, instructors (ESP) and program coordinators from the Centre for Initiatives in Education, have recently released the CD, Felt Through the Bone. Reynolds and Gilbert, who discovered a mutual love for Canadiana at Spring Conference in 2001, form one half of the Elizabeth Riley Band. Following a series of open mics at Mike’s Place and several years with the garage choir Bloomin’ Divas, the band began to take shape.
The other two singer-songwriters in the Elizabeth Riley Band also have strong ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ connections – Sarah Ryan graduated several years ago with a Masters in Political Economy, and Carmel Whittle, visual artist and art educator, is currently taking Indigenous Studies and Art History courses. Whittle is planning to become a full-time student in Canadian/ Indigenous Studies. More ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ connections: The cd was recorded at Antique Room, with Ben Wilson (The Orienteers), who is married to Susan Burhoe, coordinator of the ESP. Mike Barker, of SLALS, was a founding member of the band, and all still enjoy jamming whenever possible.
All Elizabeth Riley Band songs are original. They have been regular guests on CKCU, appearing most recently on Canadian Spaces w. Chris White, in December 2014.
Though both Reynolds and Gilbert are busy in their work with ÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ (and Gilbert’s work on her Phd), they do their best to play as often as they can.
Upcoming performances include a spot at the annual May Day Gil’s Hootenanny community sing-along at the First Unitarian Church (May 1), Pressed Café with Heather Lynn Song and Erin Saoirse Adair (BMus at CU) (May 23) and Westfest main stage, June 14.
The songs can be previewed at
For chatty info about the band (always looking for new friends)