If you were to think of University Canada West's (UCW)
newest honorary degree recipient as a book, his true depth would likely escape
you, unless you knew him as a book with many covers.
Tom Lavin, UCW's 2016 honorary degree recipient, and the
university's 11th to date, is primarily known as an accomplished musician and
record producer who was a founding member of Canada's legendary Powder Blues
Band in 1978.
On July 15 in a convocation ceremony that begins at 11 a.m.
at Vancouver's Italian Cultural Centre, Lavin will formally be awarded his UCW
degree before the university's 28 graduands of 2016 are granted theirs. UCW
President Arthur Coren will preside over the one hour and 15 minute ceremony,
which concludes with a reception at 1 p.m. Media and the public are invited.
Despite major record labels' initially cool reception of the
Power Blues' debut album, Uncut, the now world-famous band has gone on to sell
more than one million records worldwide and has toured continuously for the
last 38+ years.
Known for its mix of swing, blues, jazz, rock & roll and
r & b that gets people of all ages bopping, the band's sound has garnered
numerous international awards. Among the highlights are Canada's Juno in 1981,
Canadian Music Industry Association (CMIA) awards for Guitarist, Singer,
Songwriter and Producer of the Year in 1980 and the LA Reader Award for the
Indie Film Score of the Year-Dennis Hopper's film Out of the Blue in 1980.
Tom Lavin & the Legendary Powder Blues have also
appeared in concert with the Who, ZZ Top, Willie Dixon, John Lee Hooker, B.B.
King, James Brown, Stevie Ray Vaughn and the Doobie Brothers. They headlined the internationally lauded
Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland in 1983.
Lesser known are Lavin's achievements as a high tech,
venture capital consultant, CEO of several public companies and founder of a
private college.
In 1992, the Chicago-born blues musician was appointed
managing director of a film SFX software firm at George Lucas' Lantana Complex
in Santa Monica, California. In 1994, Lavin started one of the first Internet
services in Canada (Axion.net) and took it public on the Canadian Exchange
(CDNX).
In 1997, he became CEO of MegaChain.com Ltd., which traded
on NASDAQ. He consulted for venture capital firms on projects including on-line
gaming, virtual reality, GPS technology, wireless communications, stereo
endoscopy, frequency counting technology, audio processors and micro
electro-mechanical systems.
In 1999, he founded and wrote curriculum for Pacific Audio
Visual Institute (PAVI), a government-accredited private post-secondary
technical college, and acted as its director until its sale in 2015.
Ironically, UCW purchased much of PAVI's classroom and office equipment.
Lavin's Socratic approach to learning is the likely
architect of the many covers that would have to adorn any book telling his
professional story.
"Learning, musically or otherwise, is all about
exploration," says Lavin, who moved to Vancouver in 1969 to study film and
work as a recording studio musician.
"There is a time and place for learning in solitude, in
pairs and in groups, however, first and foremost to me is the importance of
'beginner's mind' -being able to
approach an investigation without preconception."
"For example, my music production generated an interest
in echo, which led to my pursuit of digital delays. This in turn caused me to
investigate digital information packets, which resulted in my creating one of
Western Canada's first public Internet services," offers Lavin about his
learning journey.
But Lavin admits it's not just his gift for connecting
ideational dots that has propelled his Renaissance man-like career path. It's
his passion for business communication, a very fitting attribute for UCW
graduands to emulate going forward into the business world.
"A famous successful jazz musician once said that the
music business properly pursued is 50 per cent music, 50 per cent
business. I think this can apply to all
fields. It's not enough to have a great idea; one needs to be able to communicate
the concept," advises Lavin. "Be ready and able to share your vision
verbally in three minutes. Refining a statement like this will also aid in
making it clear to yourself what your true goals are."
Reaction to Tom Lavin becoming a UCW honorary degree
recipient
•"Tom Lavin is a fabulous musician who`s made a large
contribution to music and Canada. As a bandleader he should be used as a model
for others in that position. Those fortunate enough to work with him are
treated with respect and dignity."
•Gary Kendall, (Maple Blues All Stars Awards - Downchild)
Multiple winner of Canadian Bassist of the Year
•"Tom Lavin accomplished the amazing feat of bringing
not one, or two, but many blues songs to mainstream radio. I cannot believe
this has gone unmentioned for this long. He defined for me what a Canadian
blues guitarist sounded like. I love the
guy. Congratulations Tom!"
•Bill Johnson, Juno award winning blues guitarist
•"Not only being a wealth of knowledge, Tom brought to
Canada the soul of a true Chicago blues man. His songs and voice evoke true
artistry."
•Matt Petley-Jones, petley jones gallery, Dealers in
Contemporary and Historical Art
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