It looks like it’s red carpet time again for Canada’s leading flutist/composer! I’m so proud of my friend and client RON KORB who scored 2 more Grammy nods for albums recorded with India’s superstar composer and musician, RICKY KEJ, and for his collaborative work with Japan’s composer, producer and instrumentalist, MASA TAKUMI.
Several years ago, Ron’s album Asia Beauty was nominated for Grammy’s Best World/New Age Music album and I was thrilled to secure red carpet fashions for Ron’s beautiful wife, Jade (pictured above in Canadian designer Lucian Matis gown) then 2 years ago, the fab couple again found themselves in Los Angeles, rubbing shoulders with the world’s greatest musicians and Ron hit the stage to accept his two collaborative honours (below, with Masa Takumi) and later with Ricky Kej & Stewart Copeland for the winning Divine Tides Global music album. 
I spoke with Ron after all the nominations had been announced last Thursday and he kindly answered a few interview questions …..
Congratulations, Ron, on this year’s Grammy nominations for your outstanding collaborations with Indian superstar Ricky Kej, and on Masa Takumi’s album. You’ve previously won with both of these artists – you must be their lucky penny! How did these collaborations come about? Ha ha…I think I am a lucky charm. Certainly we are all grateful for the good fortune we just received. Ricky called me and said he was putting together one of the inaugural albums for a new label called Vedam Records which is part of Universal Music Group, and Masa asked me to play on Kashira which was part of a score for Himuro Renji a Japanese Yakuza Film released this year. Linked below are the 2 nominated tracks on which Ron played….
During those 2 years of Covid isolation, you worked remotely with international musicians via internet accessibility – is this the way now that artists in far flung corners of the world get to work with each other? And how does that all work from a production perspective? Even before the pandemic many producers and musicians were working remotely but during COVID there was no other way and that changed things forever. It is, in many ways, much easier to work remotely but I do miss the real life interaction you used to get from working with clients and other session players in those big studios back in the old days. That said, all the bed tracks of Global Canvas were done live off the floor and in person and I was with the players for most of then over-dubs too.
Your latest (30th) album, Global Canvas, was short listed for a Grammy nod this year and although it just missed the final cut, your work with Ricky and Masa will enable you to walk the red carpet in February alongside your fellow musicians. Do you see this as a great opportunity to connect with other composers and performers? Do you enjoy the “schmoozing” at the Awards ceremony and all the parties? It is really wonderful attending the Grammy parties in Los Angeles that start the week before the actual broadcast. One of the best events is the nominees’ dinner which is the night before the ceremony. It’s an amazing party where you meet so many incredible musicians and producers. Everyone is so happy that night and that is when they give you your medallion and take an official photo. Canada does a good job, too – the SOCAN and the Canadian Consulate parties are also particularly nice. (pictured below- at previous Grammy Awards with Ricky Kej (L), Jade, Ron, Paul Avergrinos, film composer Bear McCreay + his wife)
(above – at Socan soiree prior to Awards night)
Global Canvas is already garnering critical and audience acclaim around the world – do you anticipate receiving international honours as did your previous albums ? I hope it can, I know this will sound insincere, but what I actually enjoy the most is getting feedback from fans and learning that people are really enjoying the music.
When writing and recording Global Canvas, you met Cambodian human rights activist Arn Chorn Pond through a personal introduction from legendary musician, Peter Gabriel. You dedicated your Angkor Wat track to him – has this connection made you even more aware of the affect of music on the world? I think Peter Gabriel is very interested in the spiritual power of music. The Angkor Wat song does touch on that feeling. When we toured the ruins, we were amazed by the ancient architecture and I hope some of that feeling of that awe is felt within the song.
You’ve performed live in some of the world’s greatest concert venues, in front of royalty and world leaders, and solo’d with great symphony orchestras in China, Japan, and all across Europe as well as home here in Canada. How does it feel to perform for such diverse audiences? That is one of the blessings about being a musician – you can travel to a different part of the world and interact with people and even a crowd of people in direct way. Music is a very intimate form of communication. With my own music I’ve learned certain songs work better in Asia and others work better in the western world.
How can music lovers hear your new album and other music you’ve created? Physical CDs and Mp3s copies can be ordered through my own website www.ronkorb.com and the music can also be heard on Spotify and all the streaming services.
Congratulations, Ron…fingers crossed it’s gonna be another double Grammy night for you, Masa and Ricky!
Follow Ron’s Grammy journey on his social media and of course, I’ll be posting photos of all the Awards’ week festivities with Ron & Jade.