Matthieu Keijser 1953-2006

In mid-October of this year, a shockwave of loss passed through the music community – Matthieu Keijser had died. After years of suffering from chronic back pain, depression finally claimed our talented friend. One of the sad ironies is that Matthieu had a huge talent for making fun, and he did it by helping people reclaim the simple joy of making simple music. He believed that music-making should be inclusive and everyone should do it – no matter what their age or level of talent. He invented many ways to draw people in and show us that we could all be ‘musicians’ even though we may be adults who had never held an instrument before. Though he was a talented pianist, he was first and foremost a percussionist, and he shared his deep love of rhythm with a motley mixture of people in his drumming classes and through Samba Nova. It was typical of Matthieu’s sense of the possible that he believed a Brazilian samba band could work in Halifax. Not only did he start the band, but kept it going for about 15 years. During that time, it evolved and changed constantly. New members were always welcome – regardless of age or ability. He believed that eventually everyone would ‘get it’, and even if they didn’t, the act of showing up and sharing in the process of making music was as important as actually succeeding. The bottom line for him was that music could and should be community-building, and in fact he was a very important force in creating a strong and diverse musical community here in this city.

Matthieu was also well known for his work with children. He loved doing school workshops where he could create an impromptu class band – often using clapping, body percussion or home-made instruments to create the rhythms. He was convinced that a deep connection to rhythm was of fundamental importance to human wellbeing because of its profound resonance in the human body. He also found it sad that young children who did not have enough music in their lives lost the ability to ‘feel the rhythm’ and no doubt became adults who believed they couldn’t play an instrument or dance.

For those of us who discovered Samba Nova, he was like the pied piper, an unrestrained dancing figure leading us on escapades through the streets of Halifax, along the waterfront, and even, during the Tall Ships 2000, out onto the harbour in a fishing boat. He helped us discover the simple joy of doing something crazy and liberating.

To us ‘sambistas’, it was clear that none of what he was doing would have been possible without the endless, patient support of his amazing wife, Joann Tusia. She knew better than anyone that Matthieu could be completely exasperating, and in the last few months of his life, her strength was tested to the limits of endurance. We owe her a huge debt of gratitude for all that she did, including the endless occasions she worked in the background to make another one of his many projects successful. Matthieu was also deeply inspired by his children, Jonathan and Zoe – both wonderful and talented young people. He marvelled at their progress in the arts, and was amazed to think that he might have had something to do with it. We were all robbed by the depression that came like a thief in the night. We felt that we should have been able to save him, but sadly love and caring could never be enough to beat it back.

Now, as we approach Christmas, I’m glad to say that the spirit of caring and sharing that Matthieu nurtured in our community is as strong as ever. Samba Nova will continue with a new leader, and so will many of the annual traditions he started. He helped make this a great place to live. It’s now up to the rest of us to continue his life’s quest by reaching out and drawing in more people to the shared joy of making and moving to music. Some of Matthieu’s instruments are now in my basement waiting for the next visit of my four year-old grandson. When he gets here, we’ll quickly organize a band and march around with big grins making lots of noise. Matthieu would approve.

Anne Muecke
December 2006