Sage Reynolds, B.Mus

Biography

Press/Quotes

“It was also a real treat to witness the live music and sound effects by designer and musician Sage Reynolds. What Western would be complete without the twangy sound of strings to punctuate the story? I could go on and on about the outstanding design of this show…” 

- Covert Ottawa Guy (JB), covertottawaguy.com, October 2nd, 2023, re: The Supine Cobbler at GCTC.

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“Musician and sound designer, Sage Reynolds, elevates the vivid atmosphere of the play as he plays at the side of the stage. The music was inquisitive yet logical, almost as if it was another character that graced the stage and spoke to the actors.”

- Amira Benjamin, Intermission Magazine, September 30th, 2023, re: The Supine Cobbler at GCTC.

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“Pearlman says the upcoming production is lucky to have Ottawa musician Sage Reynolds doing its sound design and performing…  …Reynolds composed music, in the style of Italian composer Ennio Morricone of Spaghetti-Western fame, and will be doing sound effects and live foley work too.”

- Peter Hum, Ottawa Citizen, September 21st, 2023, re: The Supine Cobbler at GCTC.

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Pierre Houde (RDS) on CHOM 97.7 FM - October 3, 2013:

“...I was tuning-in on CHOM and I got to hear some incredible local bands on The Rockman show, especially Life in Winter, and (their) song Wood Fire, this is great stuff! .... Canadian content is something that (radio has) to do in Canada, and rightly so, and opening it up a notch further and (giving) local bands the opportunity to get their stuff on the air is great. I love this approach, especially that band: Life in Winter. I just bought their single! Good stuff. Good music and good musicians.”

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Staying Warm for the Winter by nickb · November 2, 2012 

Montreal Band Life in Winter Explores Familiar Themes in Self-Titled Debut

With a band name like Life in Winter, one almost expects a sound evoking imagery marked with Cohen-like duality and contrast—hardships and the beauty of survival, the blizzard and the serenity that might follow, or the search for warmth on the coldest days. The eponymous debut from the Montreal three-piece founded by songwriter Sage Reynolds delivers subtle and endearing textures that manage to comfort in a similar way a glass of Scotch—or hot chocolate—would during a snowstorm; the record’s themes, however, are about more than just escaping winter doldrums, and the longing is more than just seasonal. 

Sonically nestled in between singer/songwriter folk and an indie-rock-pop backdrop, Life in Winter embraces a landscape that reflects the season it wishes to depict, resulting in production that plays to the band’s strengths: strong musicianship, quality songwriting, and live-like dynamics that seem to mimic the ups and downs of searching for love and purpose in a cold, cold place. 

Likely intended as a concept record from its very beginning—the band’s name may have served as some sort of unavoidable self-fulfilling prophecy in that respect— the end result is a clear and unified theme dragging its boots through the sleet, while longing for winter’s bluest skies. On Full Blue, Reynolds sings ‘Now my heart’s wild fire, white hot, clear desire / I found the real thing, with mittens on, Winter Lady, warm sapphire’, capturing both the longing and the contrast this record seems to bring forth so strongly. 

The debut album was launched at Casa del Popolo last Monday as Hurricane Sandy swept over the East Coast, and although Montreal only caught some leftover gusts, it almost seemed fitting for Casa to play the role of port in a storm for the occasion. Joined by four additional musicians on stage, the band played the album in its entirety, front to end. With songs such as Wood Fire—already a highlight on the record—reaching even more palpable highs when played in front of an audience, Life in Winter proved to be a worthy live band—one worth seeing more than once. ‘I’ll make the fire again with wood a little drier / We’ll walk the land tomorrow with hearts a little lighter,’ sang Reynolds, inviting the listener to come along. And it made you want to go along. By seeing its shadow this week, Life in Winter reminded me that there are only six weeks left until winter. More importantly, it reminded me that this is not necessarily such a bad thing. 

- Nick Backovic (@nickbackovic)

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Life In Winter – S/T (Independent) 

Montreal based Life In Winter seem perfectly aligned with the hugely popular alt. folk-rock genre, originally initiated (and latterly influenced) by groups like Crosby, Stills and Nash, and now best exemplified by million-sellers such as Fleet Foxes and their ilk. The five-piece, led by songwriter Sage Reynolds, have been honing their craft since 2007, and all those years spent rehearsing and practicing have paid dividends on their debut collection, an enthralling nine track effort, dripping with luscious harmonies and spirited, accessible tunes. 

In fact, pretty much the first thing you’ll hear on their debut is blended vocals. The trio of singers, Reynolds, Sheenah Ko and Rich White have all the rich compatibility of a sibling troupe, and while wordsmith Reynolds is usually to be found at the front of the mix, it’s the interaction between the three where much of the magic happens. To reiterate, opening track “Flight” begins with a harmonious sweep of voices, and the effect is almost choral,before guitars and keyboards add ‘rock’ structure. It’s an elegant launch to a record that repeatedly hits polished highs. One of those is the outstanding “Lone Rider”. Delivered with pace, it’s propelled by a combination of needle sharp guitar and Reynolds’ uncompromising vocal. I could listen to it all day,and may just do so. 

-  Phil S. (for Leicester Bangs)

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On the Wall **** - Sage Reynolds (Effendi)

The first CD from Montreal bassist Sage Reynolds is better than most debuts have a right to be.

It's nine varied compositions distinctively blend accessible melodies and grooves with jazz sophistication. Reynolds' quartet bandmates –trumpeter Bill Mahar, guitarist Kenny Bibace and splashy, dramatic Ottawa-raised drummer Stef Schneider – are all their own men, eloquent, lyrical and powerful as needed. The horn-guitar combination floats pleasingly over the heavier groove of Reynolds and Schneider, and together, the four musicians display a real sense of purpose.

-  Peter Hum, Ottawa Citizen, June 2007

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Sage Reynolds, who last year won the Étoiles Galaxie award and, this year, is nominated for the Grand Prix du Jazz General Motors award, is not the furious type. His universe is made of subtle mixtures of colours,screened interactions and very beautiful melodies. Welcoming and accessible jazz. Every ingredient leading to popularity is there. As for me, I have a liking for his song Meat Cove, where the trumpet has kind of an oriental twist.

-  Alexandre Vigneault, La Presse (Montréal), July 2nd , 2006 (translated from French)

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Award Press Release: This is the fourth year that the all-music network of Radio-Canada – Galaxie – has been associated with the Grand Prix de Jazz de General Motors. This year's Prix Étoiles Galaxie de Radio-Canada is going to Sage Reynolds composer of the pieces “On the Wall” and “Saturday Afternoon,” considered by the jury to be the best compositions presented in this year's contest. The prize includes $5000, plus the visibility Galaxie can offer through its cross-Canada all music network, as well as in its magazine which is distributed to thousands of readers. Supporting rising stars like Sage Reynolds is among Galaxie's top priorities.

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“...great bass-playing..... beautiful tone and ideas!"

“...(I) really enjoyed your writing and, especially, your bass-playing..."

-  Drew Gress, bassist/composer, re: Sage Reynolds- On the Wall, May 17th, 2006

Discography

for Sage Reynolds (SR), selected entries.     

Pale Sonata (single), Life in Winter (independent, self-produced: s.p.)- 2023
In the City and Still Norway (singles), Life in Winter (independent, s.p.)- 2022
Country, Vol. 1, Jordan Officer (Spectra Music, s.p.)- 2020
Parallel Line, Paper Beat Scissors (Forward Music Group, produced by Tim Crabtree)- 2019
Asking for A Friend, Andy MacDonald (independent, self-produced: s.p.)- 2019
Rêves américains, tome 2: La Grande Crise, Thomas Hellman (L-A be, s.p.)- 2018
Six More Miles, Katie Moore & Andrew Horton (independent, produced by Warren Spicer)- 2017
Entre le Jazz et la Java, Andrea Lindsay (Les disques de la cordonnerie, prod. by Jordan Officer)- 2016
2 Years in the 'Mak, Franco's Jazz Mofos (independent, s.p.)- 2016
Montréal, Baron Tymas (tymasmusic, s.p.)- 2016
Musique et la santé mentale célébrons en chanson, Sin & Swoon (ProjetPAL, prod. by S. Pagé)- 2015
Parade Day, Sussex (independent, s.p.)- 2015
B's Bees, B’s Bees (independent, s.p.)- 2015
Blue Skies, Jordan Officer (independent, s.p.)- 2015
Rêves américains, tome 1: La ruée vers l'or, Thomas Hellman (Productions Onimus, s.p.)- 2015
Shepherd's Call, Jesse Speed (independent, s.p.)- 2014
Let Go (EP), Sheenah Ko (independent, s.p.)- 2014
Victor Sessions, Jordan Officer (Spectra Music, s.p.)- 2013
Thomas Hellman chante Roland Giguère (l'Hexagone, s.p.)- 2012
Life in Winter, Life in Winter (independent, produced by SR, co-prod. by Marcus Paquin)- 2012
The View From Seventh Sky, Robin Ranger (independent, s.p.)- 2012
Émergences- Centre-du-Québec (Centre Emmaüs, produced by Francis Rivard)- 2011
Sevens Project (Dare to Care, produced by Vid Cousins)- 2010
Bouquet of Might and Fury, Courtney Wing (Proxenett, s.p.)- 2010
Balkan Tales, Vlada Tomova (Kuker Music, produced by Vlada Tomova and Paul Ruest)- 2009
Departure, Michel Berthiaume (XXI, s.p.)- 2009
Winding Path, Vincent Stephen-Ong/Tom Eliosoff (Bagarap Records, s.p.)- 2008
Foley Room, Amon Tobin (Ninja Tune, s.p.)- 2007
Controlled Burn, Bruce Hansen (Bruce Hansen Music, produced Danny Johnson)- 2006
On the Wall, Sage Reynolds (Sage Reynolds Quartet) (Effendi, s.p.)- 2006
Clues and Lies, Lenya B. (Nathalie Matteau) (independent, s.p.)- 2006
Clear Sight EP, Sage Reynolds (Sage Reynolds Quartet) (independent, s.p.)- 2006
Satellite: LABprojects '03-'05, Moondata (Moondata Productions, s.p.)- 2005
Your Ex-Lover is Dead (Single), Stars (Arts and Crafts, s.p.)- 2005
Les 5 Saisons, Naëco (independent, s.p.)- 2005
On the Shortest Day of the Year, Robin Ranger Quartet (independent, s.p.)- 2003
Under Glass, Sean Craig Quintet (ORA, s.p.)- 2003

Sage is currently teaching Private Study (bass, double-bass) at Concordia. He formerly coached jazz combos at The McGill Conservatory of Music (now closed), and continues to teach private lessons (bass, double-bass, music theory, composition, songwriting, arranging, music production, sound design) from home, as well as at the homes of students. Sage also teaches/coaches remotely and taught an online mini-course on Jazz Immersion at The McGill Conservatory of Music in 2021. Other teaching activities include the presentation of masterclasses at other educational institutions. 

Sage is currently accepting new Private Study students.