John McLaughlin Memorial Scholarship
John Austin McLaughlin (Aug 16, 1967 - Apr 21, 2022) had a life-long love for music and the arts. Born in Ottawa, Ontario, John moved to Toronto in the 1990s to further develop his craft as a bassist and pursue his dream to perform – and a whole world of creative influence opened up to John through Toronto’s vibrant and diverse music scene. A member of Toronto band, Freedom Rains, and other collaborative groups, John’s adept skills on the bass made him a valued contributor along with his kind heart and quick wit.
With his musical interests spanning contemporary jazz, fusion, funk, world and the experimental milieu, John was not only immensely proud of being a Humber alumnus, but of being a recipient of the Oscar Peterson Program scholarship. Well-acquainted with the sacrifices that struggling musicians make, John’s commitment and passion for music was burned into his soul – he did what he loved and there was no other path. Family and friends believe that John would be so delighted that his memory lives on through a scholarship at Humber in his name and that it exists for others who have the drive, commitment, and passion for music that John did.
One of the first things you would notice about John was his sparkling eyes … and then mischievous smile … and maybe his head of dark curly hair. If you were lucky enough to be in his company, it would not take long before you would hear his loud, heartfelt, memorable laugh. All of his friends knew his laugh. John had a way of being the most approachable guy in the room and the most interesting if you got to talking.
Affable and kind, John was so genuinely interested in others, especially if you were a musician as he was always eager to learn and share through that unique comradery. On stage John carried the same quiet confidence and ease, but when you watched and heard him play, you were transfixed. The way John handled a bass, he made it look easy, as well as if he and the bass were one entity.
John’s creativity was such that it was more important to him to follow his instincts, wherever they may meander, than to fit into a mold of what others thought he should play or sound like. This only added to his exemplary ability to perform and collaborate – agile, flexible, and peppered with John’s unusual sense of humour
John passed away in 2022 after a short but devastating journey with cancer. As his friends and family know, nothing prepares one for the loss of someone so talented and loved. But part of the process of grieving and honouring John was to find a place to keep his memory constant and we know John would be so pleased to know that someone who loves music as he did would benefit from a scholarship.
