Ukulele lessons aside, Christensen started playing music
seriously at age 10 when he picked up the saxophone. Now an
accomplished multi-instrumentalist, he’s known for his orchestral
arrangements—having worked on Symphony Nova Scotia shows with Joel
Plaskett, Jill Barber and Buck 65—and has played with a who’s-who of
the Halifax scene. Earlier in June he added his horn to Classified’s
gig at the Palace—having played on his last two records—and is
currently touring with Jenn Grant.
The Coast: You’ve done a lot of touring in your musical
career. What is it that keeps you coming home to Halifax and keeps you
here?
David Christensen: It feels like home, with friends and
family. I just find it generally relaxed here. That could be said about
anyone’s home, but this is where I feel the most relaxed.
TC: You’ve seen a lot of changes in the Halifax music scene.
What keeps it evolving?
DC: It’s obviously the hub of this part of Canada, but we
have an influx of students and people from other provinces. It seems
fresh but there are a lot of people who have a similar approach to
music.
TC: Is there something you really enjoy doing here in the
summer?
DC: Lately, gardening. I started a garden four years ago.
I’ll have lettuce and other greens. Lots of tomatoes, lots of
strawberries, some raspberries, green peppers, jalapeno peppers,
squash. I don’t grow a lot but I try to grow a variety.
TC: In terms of this summer coming up, what are you looking
forward to doing?
DC: I’ll be here for some of the jazz festival. I was at the
Common yesterday, I find that a huge treasure. I was just sitting down
watching cricket, watching softball, watching soccer, watching Frisbee.
On a sunny day it’s amazing.
This article appears in Jun 18-24, 2009.