RWT: The Trio

Rachel Walker - Vocal, piano, 6 & 12 string acoustic guitar

Originally a big city California girl, at a young age Rachel was introduced to the interior wilderness of British Columbia, Canada. Her parents being missionaries moved the family to a First Nations reserve in Fort St.James, where she grew to love the spiritually inspiring people and beauty of the ways of the land. The lack of television and modern conveniences resulted in a loving home filled with music and entertainment of their own artistic device. Rachel hosted a Fm radio program called "the Light House" in the interior of BC for several years in the 1980's. She has been honoured to share the mic and the stage with many fine musicians and enjoys sharing of her talents. Rachel now resides in BC's Cariboo region. As a singer / songwriter she can often be found performing in music festivals, concerts, coffee houses, fundraisers and TV telethons. As a visual artist, Rachel is an accomplished painter, potter and art instructor.She released her first solo album titled "SENT" in 2000, this acoustic driven original was well received and motivated her to continue her unique style of songwriting. Her second solo album titled "ZOROBABEL" was released late 2004. This album features many different genres and creative instrumentation, it is full of energy and is soothing to the soul. Inspired from the trials and joys of living love and truth. She hopes both these solo projects may be received by those in need of a little peace. In 2008 the trio released "The Best of Zest vol.1", a fresh and unique smooth harmonic, painting an expression of romance, pain, peace, hope and truth. She is thankful for the support of the many who appreciate and enjoy her unique talent and creativity. Rachel's songwriting is ever evolving with a rich and expansive range of musical genres and styles. Her songs are desribed as, " husky spicy fun, filled with a wide range of emotion. Harmonic richness flowing through beautiful and tender songwriting, blended with highly creative and vibrant fresh performance and styles."

Ray Chadwick - Fretless acoustic bass, piano, harmonica, vocal, madolin, electric cello, violin, 6 & 12 string acoustic guitar

Background and formal training in musical theory, Ray has mastered a diversity of musical styles. He is a natural composer and plays a rich assortment of choice instruments. Watching Ray during a set, one wonders what instrument to expect next, often playing more than one instrument seamlessly througout a single song. There is no need to multitrack here, Ray finds joy in sharing his musical gifts with audiences and his students. Ray is described by fans as, " remarkably multi-talented with an amazing musical genuis."

Micheal Fait - poety & percussion

Michael finds creating music to be a glimpse of heaven. His percussion technique of choice is Jazz, coloured by the blues, and heated with the passion of Samba. A constent poet, his poems have formed albums of pictures. Often forming the lyrical base to RWT songs. Michael explains his inspiration is derived from his observation that, "at an early stage we express our natural rhythms freely. Then something strange happens to many of us. Our outward expressions of music go into hibernation.Lucky are we who go to concerts, who take up dancing, who whistle tunes, and snap our fingers and who stay awake. Long into life may the cadences of happiness and good fortune accompany those who take the time and make the effort to share the melody of our lives."