‘It’s hard to describe’: Alta. trumpeter shares message of healing through music, after losing home in LA fires

A Canadian trumpeter is facing an unimaginable loss after his family home was destroyed in the California wildfires. Hannah Lepine explains.

Canadian trumpeter Jens Lindemann is facing an unimaginable loss. His family home is one of thousands destroyed by the Los Angeles wildfires.

Standing atop what’s left of his Pacific Palisades home, the 58-year-old Albertan played “Smile” by Charlie Chapman, sharing a powerful message of healing, through music.

“It felt like a sort of prayer I suppose.” said Lindemann.

Grabbing what they could in the little time they had, Lindemann and his wife grabbed eight of his 35 trumpets, and a few other personal items. Their home was engulfed in flames several hours later.

“This beautiful view that had been our home for 18 years is gone, and you’re standing on top of rubble. It’s hard to describe,” he adds.

The world-renowned musician is the first brass soloist to receive the Order of Canada and is also a professor with high distinction at UCLA.

Lindemann said his love for music will carry him through the devastating loss. In February, he will take the stage in South Carolina for a concert written by his trumpet hero, Wynton Marsalis.

He says preparing for that performance has been healing and means more than any other concert he’s played to date.

“That piece has become my solace and working on it has allowed me to look forward and stay in present time,” said Lindemann.

“That performance is going to be an opportunity for me to express so many emotions on stage and get them out of my system,” he added.

Impromptu roadside performance

While Lindemann has performed jazz and classical in every major concert venue in the world, he’s also known for an impromptu roadside performance, closer to home.

In October 2018, Lindemann performed a rendition of O Canada, entertaining motorists stranded west of Calgary along the Trans-Canada Highway in the middle of a snowstorm that stopped traffic for 12 hours.

Again, providing a musical escape from reality.

A former student is crowdfunding for the couple’s uninsured losses, hoping to simply bring music back into their home.