cinqque5tion with Sharon and Bram (by: Jovin Tardif)
cinqque5tion with Sharon and Bram (by: Jovin Tardif)
I’m six years old and sitting in the back of the class (the last name starts with T … long story). “Okay class,” said Madame Jean. “We have a special treat for you today.” I scratched my head wondering what was going on. A small group who introduced themselves as Sharon, Lois & Bram walked into the room with musical instruments. I sat up in my chair to get a better look. They started to sing a song that I never heard before. “…It also has some actions…they are really fun to do…and now we would like to sing this special song…with all of you.” Everyone in the class was intrigued by what they were hearing.
Skinnamarinky dinky dink
Skinnamarinky do,
I love you!
“Everybody now.”
Skinnamarinky dinky dink
Skinnamarinky do,
I love you!
“Put up the sun.”
I love you in the morning,
And in the afternoon
I love you in the evening,
Underneath the moon…
Skinnamarinky dinky dink
Skinnamarinky do,
I love you!
Fast forward a few years to the year 2020. I read a lovely quote from Sharon and Bram: “We love singing with our audiences; the sound of families singing together and the expressions of delight on the faces of parents and children as they share the music, bring us deep satisfaction”. Other well-loved favourites from the group include: “She’ll Be Coming ‘Round the Mountain”, “Five Little Monkeys”, “One Elephant” and “Tingalayo”. I was really hoping that I would have the opportunity to talk to them. I reached out and I am truly grateful to share this interview “with all of you”.
1. Out of curiosity, I always wondered what kind of music you were performing before creating the group?
“Both of us were rooted in Folk Music and that was what we were doing for both children and adults prior to recording our first album.”
2. From my research, I heard Bill Usher contributed to your style. Can you tell us more about Bill Usher and how he contributed to the group?
“Bill Usher was our initial producer of the first four albums. He was a wonderful percussion player whose rhythm and beats enhanced many of the songs we recorded on those initial albums. Some of the highlights of his contributions were that he introduced us to the African Sounds on Che Che Kooley and taught us (with his grandfather leading) Father Papered the Parlour which was great fun to all sing together.”
3. I grew up watching ‘The Elephant Show’ on CBC. Can you tell us about the show and the messages you were trying to convey to the viewers?
“It was never our intention to “convey” messages. We wanted to share our love of music and singing with children and their families. We all had common values of inclusion, diversity, respect, etc. and believe that they were reflected in the way we interacted with the children on the show and that those values were received by those who watched it.”
4. Where did the title ‘Skinnamarink’ come from?
“Lois “collected” the song Skinnamarink from one of her cousins in Chicago who had learned it at summer camp.”
5. For those who may want to buy the perfect gift for any season, can you tell us about your children’s picture book that is now available in stores?
“We are so very proud of Sharon, Lois & Bram’s Skinnamarink because we believe it to be a book for all occasions and for all ages. We hope it becomes the go-to baby gift for newborns, at Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day as well as for Birthdays, Christmas or whatever gift-giving celebrations you partake in. The message of I Love You is universal. We hope that anyone who looks through this book will find themselves on the pages and will also find different things to look at each time they go through it.”
To those that are reading this interview, do you have a story about Lois, Sharon, and Bram?
About the Author
Jovin Tardif
Press/Media What On What’s Good
Storyteller, Conversation Starter,
Writer, Reviewer, Interviewer
and Social Media
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