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Instruments like Gold to Cuban Students His fingers dance over the sunlit keys, cheeks bulge, a n d shoulders h u n c h . Jazz notes twirl t h r o u g h the mist as Stewart Brinton practises o n his s a x o p h o n e in the early m o r n i n g sunlight. Brinton is high o n life, w i t h the help of s o m e extremely generous North Shore residents. Brinton's life w a s n ' t a l w a y s s o g o o d . A s a f i s h e r m a n in Prince Rupert, Brinton w e n t through an incredible string of bad luck. Through a series of serendipitous occurrences, Brinton ended up travelling to C u b a w i t h a g o o d friend. A t the time, he played a mean blues harp, but no other instruments. He spent s o m e t i m e in the C u b a n village of Pino del Mar, w h e r e s o m e of the country's musicians, trying t o w o r k their way up t o the big time in H a v a n a , just b l e w his socks off. C o m i n g back t o C a n a d a , h e m a d e t w o m o r e h a l i b u t trips, o n e t o help buy a saxophone, and another t o pay for a s m a l l c a b i n . W h i l e w o r k i n g out his e m o t i o n a l d e m o n s for the next year, the horn w a s in his hands for several hours every day, a n d over time he b e c a m e a professional musician. Brinton has c o m e up w i t h a p l a n t o pay back those C u b a n musicians w h o brought him back f r o m the depths. He collects used instruments t o s e n d t o C u b a . W h a t started out as a trickle of d o n a t i o n s is b u i l d i n g m o m e n t u m . M i c h a e l C r o n i n of W a r d M u s i c d o n a t e d a c o u p l e o f trumpets, Debbie Begin offered a flute, a n d other North Shore residents gave t r o m b o n e s . " H i g h s c h o o l students in C u b a are p l a y i n g at w h a t is a professional level here," Brinton says. " B u t they are p l a y i n g on crap. Their instruments are falling apart.They can't get parts. Or guitar, bass, or v i o l i n strings because the climate is so corrosive. I can't believe h o w generous p e o p l e have b e e n . People f r o m the N o r t h Shore are a m o n g the most generous people I have met. A n d I k n o w there are m o r e out there." A n y o n e w i t h brass instruments or c a s h t o d o n a t e t o h e l p C u b a n musicians, please call Stewart Brinton at 2 5 3 - 5 5 2 1 . · by A l Price A Collection of Collections It is rare that from one set of parents four sons will make their careers in the visual arts. But that is exactly what the artistic Mayrs brothers, Bill, David, Frank and Charlie did. While the brothers have exhibited together (and it's quite the party!), Bill Mayrs is the focus of a solo exhibition at the Seymour Art Gallery. South America, Japan, Africa, China and Indonesia are depicted in and amongst a BC rainforest background. His rich use of colour creates an inviting journey for the viewer. 77ie Decoy Collection features realis- tic waterfowl swimming across a large submerged sharpshooter's target with a large bullseye - perhaps unsettling the viewer. Or, if the viewer enjoys a duck MASK COLLECTION 56" X 58" ACRYLIC ON CANVAS A Collection of Collections is a diverse entrée, the feeling may be just the opposite. Either way, Mayrs creates vistas in this collection of paintings that are worth exploring. · by Carole Badgley series of large acrylic on canvas paintings that feature collections. In the Mask Collection painting, masks from Canada, A Collection of Collections opens March 28 and runs to Aril 22. Opening Reception is April 3, 7-9 pm. March | April