Album Notes

Ivar started studying classical piano at the age of 14, with the Royal Conservatory of Music. While working his way up through the grades, he discovered that he liked composing music as much as playing. After five years of study, he wrote his Grade 9 Piano Performance exam and decided to devote himself exclusively to writing music. While going to university, Ivar formed a cover band called Par Avion, which was succeeded by a new wave band called Eve. Ivar's original songs for the band drew on the influences of British electropop of the early 80s. Eve honed its sound while performing at venues like Lee's Palace in Toronto and The Gown & Gavel in Hamilton, and the band released a six-song EP which received frequent airplay on college radio.

Ivar then turned his compositional interests to film scoring. He scored a number of student films at Ryerson and Humber College in Toronto, Canada, and wrote scores for his own short films as well.

Ivar recently rediscovered his passion for the acoustic piano, and recorded an 11-song CD consisting of jazz-pop compositions for piano and piano trio. Ivar's key influences from the world of jazz are Keith Jarrett and Vince Guaraldi.