Jesse Read on making double-reeds

PHOTO COURTESY OF JESSE READ

From time to time, Vancouver by Design looks at the "other arts." Those are the skilled artisanal crafts and design traditions that are over-looked by most mainstream design journalists. And this week, my interest in the Other Arts lead me to the office and practice studio of Jesse Read. Read is a bassoonist and director of the School of Music at the University of British Columbia.

Read is also a masterful reed-maker, particulary double reeds used to play oboes and bassoons. Learning to cut a reed is a mandatory skill for reed players and Jesse took the time to give me a primer on reed-making. Listen, 7 mins. 6 secs.

Also check out Read's latest album with guitarist Michael Strutt, Stroll In The Cool.