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Talk to young children about the war.
Nicolaas DeVries
Fredericton, New Brunswick's veteran was a member of
both the Dutch and Canadian Armies. Better still, he's a
jazz musician who has spent much of his life teaching
and promoting the joys of music. At age 3, Nicolaas
DeVries began his musical career by learning to play the
piano. At 14, a local company began offering free
clarinet lessons and Nick jumped at the chance. Not long
after though, young Nick was traveling the world working
as a wireless operator with the Dutch Navy. In 1954, at
age 19, Nick's life would change forever. The Canadian
Army was looking for 200 musicians to form 16 army
bands. Nick applied, was accepted and set sail for his
new country. Posted to Halifax, Nick adapted easily to
his new home. There he joined the prestigious Black
Watch Regiment Band; made up of musicians from the
Ukraine, Poland, Belgium, England, Sweden, Holland and,
of course, Canada. Very early on, the band members were
all quite surprised to learn their marching uniforms
included a kilt - the wearing of which posed quite a
challenge in the cold Canadian winter! After 49 years of
marriage, he is still convinced his wife married him for
how he looked in that kilt! From there, the Black Watch
Regiment moved from Camp Gagetown to Germany and back to
Montreal before disbanding in 1968. The new Artillery
Band was formed and Nick was sent to the Victoria School
of Music to learn to conduct. In 1976, he returned to
Camp Gagetown and became the assistant conductor of the
RCR band for his final 12 years in the Army.
Nick then moved to Fredericton and began teaching music
part time in area schools. There he earned the name of
Mr. Mozart, bringing his passion for music to the
classroom.
Today, Nick is still playing in nine different bands but
prefers to present the works of Dave Brubeck with his
own Nick DeVries Quartet, particularly at Fredericton's
Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival. He's often invited to
local schools to talk to young children about the war.
One thing he's sure to tell them is how much he owes
Canadian World War II Veterans for liberating his
beloved homeland.
Story by Brent Staeben, Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival
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