Music opportunities brought Brandon and Rafael to the Sault

Rafael Medina Cruz moved from the tropical climate of Cali, Colombia to the cooler climate of Sault Ste. Marie to study music as part of Algoma University’s music program.

“My passion for music brought me from my beautiful country to Canada in September of 2021,” says Medina.

It was here in the Sault that Medina first met Brandon Ruch, who had also moved to the city from Port Colborne, Ont. to study music.

Both students were attracted to the community to study music in part by the university’s curriculum, the location of studies at the Algoma Conservatory of Music, as well as the opportunity to learn and perform at The Loft studios and venue.

“The program and its faculty along with the studio and venue at The Loft made the program and city very attractive,” says Ruch.

“I was looking for a program that I could focus on many different areas within music, and the program and faculty at Algoma U offered that opportunity in a way that I couldn’t find anywhere else.”

Medina agrees.

“I was looking for a university that offered electric bass with an emphasis on jazz performance, so Algoma U was ideal for me. The studio and The Loft really brought this experience to a whole new level.” 

Both musicians are set to graduate from the program at the end of April and will be performing with their class as part of the Algoma University Jazz Ensembles event taking place on Thursday, April 6 at The Loft.

“To me, the Ensemble feels like a celebration where I get to showcase my music as well as having the opportunity to share the stage with my best friends,” says Medina.

“Even though there is a ton of work behind putting together a show like this, I have been having so much fun in the process of making it. That's what we always do. That's what we love.”

Ruch feels similarly.

“I have learned so much thanks to this awesome group of people and this great program,” says Ruch.

“This ensemble show is really just a celebration of that time spent doing cool things by doing one more cool thing to cap it all off … I feel like the second you stop being a student of music, you lose the essence of what makes music so awesome.”

Ruch and Medina’s deep mutual appreciation for music has created a bond between them.

“We have been doing music together in one way or another for about two years so I would say there’s definitely a synergy between us,” says Medina.

“I admire and respect Brandon a lot and he’s been a great mentor for me. Also we’re very good friends and I strongly believe that if you get along well with somebody, music just flows better. That’s something that we’ll keep doing after school for sure. I am truly honoured to share my graduation recital with him.”

The feeling is clearly mutual. 

"I can't tell you how much I’ve enjoyed playing with Raf and how happy I am that we are sharing our graduation show," says Ruch.

The musicians show no signs of slowing down despite he completion of their program of study.

In addition to the Ensemble show, Medina and Ruch will be putting on another special performance on Wednesday, April 12, also at The Loft.

Their performance will feature some amazing local talent joining them on stage.

“I am super lucky to be able to have the chance to play with some of the most respected musicians in the Sault for this show,” says Ruch.

“Frank Deresti has been my main professor at the University for the past three years. I have learned so much about both music and life from him, and now I’m lucky enough to be able to now call him a friend. I am super excited to have him as a part of this show.”

He notes that another professor in the program will be joining them as well.

“Josh Norling is also a professor at Algoma who I have learned a ton from. He is someone I respect and I am really looking forward to sharing a stage with him.”

Through Deresti and Norling, the duo was introduced to local drummer Cliff Alloy, who will also be joining them onstage. The duo’s friend, drummer John Belanger (from local band Handsome Sandwich, who Medina is also part of), as well as others will perform with them throughout the evening.

The duo highlights the diversity of music as one of the most exciting elements of their upcoming show, ranging from classical guitar, jazz and singer-songwriter, to big band funk and indie/alt-rock.

“Every single song in both our sets features a different lineup, making it a super interesting show to watch,” says Ruch.

“It's all going to add up to a really fun night.”

So what is next for Ruch and Medina?

“I’m hoping to spend the summer hanging around the studio and working on my debut album, which I'm planning to record this summer with Greig Nori here at The Loft, with Frank as a co-producer and with some of the players that are joining me for this show,” Ruch says.

“Once that is done, I hope to do some touring around the province and country if time and money permit.”

Medina intends to continue in music in Canada.

“My plan is to stay in the country, keep learning and share some music with locals,” he says.

“I work mixing live sound for events and I have my band, so I will be pretty busy with music around town. Canadians have received me warmly and I love this place. So I will probably stick around for a while if everything works out.”

No matter where they land, music seems to be in the books for both artists.

“One of my favourite things about music is that no matter where you are and what you are doing in life, you can always be learning more about music," says Ruch, noting he is considering furthering his education in a Master's degree program.

Medina has also considered graduate-level work.

“Music is an ongoing craft that never really hits a ceiling and there is so much to learn,” he says.

“I always enjoy taking lessons and learning from fellow musicians. In the future, I will probably end up going for grad school but as of now, I want to take some time off to focus on some personal projects, especially my band Handsome Sandwich.”

Information and tickets for tonight’s Algoma Conservatory Jazz Ensembles performance at The Loft are available here.

Information and tickets for Brandon Ruch and Rafael Medina Cruz’s performance at The Loft on Wednesday, April 12 can be found here.