The Colour's Coming Back: Message of hope and healing
McGill foursome records original CD to benefit and inspire cancer survivors, families
Living with cancer can be overwhelming, yet the disease can foster inspiring music. A group of McGill graduates and a researcher — Mary Cowan, Sharon and Daniel Zigman, and Sarita Benchimol respectively — have teamed up to create a Canadian first: a moving CD of original songs that are a testimony to people touched by cancer.
All 14 songs on The Colour's Coming Back were written specifically for people affected by cancer, their families and friends. The record was produced by Sharon and husband Michael Zigman (BSc'69, MD'73) through the Zigman Creative Projects Foundation, a nonprofit enterprise. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to various charities in cancer prevention, treatment, research and wellness — including the Défi Corporatif Canderel and the McGill Cancer Centre.
The CD will be launched during a "thank you" cocktail party for hundreds of supporters of the Défi Corporatif Canderel, an annual fundraising campaign. Media are welcome to attend by contacting Sylvain-Jacques Desjardins at 514-398-6752.
- What: CD launch and performance
- When: 5 to 8 pm, Thursday, June 9, 2005
- Where: Mansfield Athletic Club, 1230 Mansfield St.
- Complimentary refreshments served.
All proceeds from the event, sponsored by the Mansfield Athletic Club, will go to the Défi Corporatif Canderel and its beneficiaries: the McGill University Cancer Centre and the Institut du cancer de l'Université de Montreal. Guests will be encouraged to help the cause through a $15 purchase of the CD.
"What makes The Colour's Coming Back unique is how the CD goes beyond raising funds for charity," says Sharon Zigman. "We want people to listen and connect to what is expressed in the songs, and to feel that others understand what they are going through," adds Cowan.
One song leads to another...
The project was born after Cowan penned "Just Wanna Hold You," a song for her sister, who had undergone cancer-related surgery. At the time, Zigman was involved with Gilda's Club as a psychologist and a volunteer. "I was immediately struck with the idea that creating an album of original songs specifically written for people living with cancer could be very beneficial in the healing process," Zigman recalls.
Zigman interviewed people affected by cancer and then wrote lyrics of their stories. Cowan, a cancer survivor herself, embraced the challenge of putting music to Zigman's words. In doing so, she undertook her healing journey. The duo co-wrote ten songs from The Colour's Coming Back. Daniel Zigman, a McGill medical student and Sharon's son, composed the music for two tracks: "At a Crossroads," about stopping smoking, and "I Feel Your Sunshine," a tribute to those who bring hope to the suffering.
Sarita Benchimol, assistant to the director at the McGill Cancer Centre, joined Cowan in writing a song dedicated to her late sister: "Monique." "'Monique' is a song with an encouraging message — thanks to ongoing medical research, many people are now spared the suffering my sister went through," says Benchimol, who's donating her royalties to the McGill Cancer Centre.
Songs included on the CD are unique in content and musical style — ranging from pop and rock to blues and Latin bossa novas. The record's title track, "The Colour's Coming Back," is a story about losing a husband to cancer and how a widow overcomes grief through painting. Other songs are based on people's feelings, perceptions and experiences: "A Taste For Life," "A Gift," "Gilda's Song," "Can't Catch Me," "I'm Houdini," "I'll Be There," "When You're Near," and "I'm Not Ready."
Everyone involved with the project is enthused. "Fate threw us together to accomplish something very special," they say. "We hope this CD provides a message of healing and inspiration to as many people as possible."
Copies of The Colour's Coming Back are available on the Web as of June 9, 2005.
About the McGill Cancer Centre
The McGill Cancer Centre was created in 1978 to foster a fertile environment for research and the training of scientists. Cancer research at the University is carried out by the McGill Cancer Centre and the Cancer Research Division of the Department of Oncology, under the common directorship of Dr. Michel L. Tremblay. The McGill Cancer Centre's mission is two-fold: to bring together internationally renowned scientists devoted to cancer research and to provide them with the best resources available so that they are poised to fully contribute to the worldwide effort to cure cancer. The McGill Cancer Centre's goal is to provide an internationally recognized training ground for the next generation of researchers.
About McGill University
McGill University is Canada's leading research-intensive university and has earned an international reputation for scholarly achievement and scientific discovery. Founded in 1821, McGill has 21 faculties and professional schools which offer more than 300 programs from the undergraduate to the doctoral level. McGill attracts renowned professors and researchers from around the world and top students from more than 150 countries, creating one of the most dynamic and diverse education environments in North America. There are approximately 23,000 undergraduate students and 7,000 graduate students. It is one of two Canadian members of the American Association of Universities. McGill's two campuses are located in Montreal, Canada.
About Mary Cowan (Concordia University BFA'84, McGill University DipMus'85) [marycowan [at] hotmail.com (email)]
Mary Cowan's lifelong focus and avenue of expression has been music. She studied classical piano through the programs offered by the École de Musique Vincent d'Indy and the Royal Conservatory of Music. A composer and improviser, she chose to study jazz at Berklee School of Music for one year and continued in the Studio Music Program at Concordia University, where she graduated with a BFA in 1984. In 1985, she obtained a Diploma in Music Education from McGill. Through the 1980s she worked with various bands in the Montreal area, but has since chosen to teach jazz piano harmony and improvisation as her main occupation. A cancer survivor herself, she's grateful have had the opportunity to write the song that inspired the creation of The Colour's Coming Back and to compose the music for 12 more of the songs.
About Sharon Zigman (McGill University BA'70, DipEd'71, MEd'76, MEd(Counselling Psychology)'84) [sharon.zigman [at] mail.mcgill.ca (email)]
Three-time McGill grad Sharon Zigman is a psychologist, marriage and family therapist, and hypnotherapist. Her lifelong passion has been music. She began taking classical piano lessons at age 9 and continued for 20 years. She later switched to rock and jazz. In addition to piano, she took up mandolin, guitar and drums. Sharon enjoys entertaining at local events, either playing keyboard solo or as part of a trio. Acknowledging the connection between physical activity and emotional well-being, she participates in a variety of sports and attends dance classes. She finds that creative moments often occur while swimming, skiing or rollerblading. Through her involvement with Gilda's Club Montreal, she was inspired to write lyrics that would be meaningful to people touched by cancer. Her lyrics are dedicated to her late friend and colleague, Dr. Carmen Guanipa, and to her late cousin, Dr. Carol Basbaum.
About Sarita Benchimol (Concordia University BSc'74; Université de Montréal MSc'80) [sarita.benchimol [at] mcgill.ca (email)]
The loss of a sister to cancer triggered Sarita Benchimol's desire to focus on cancer research for the past 25 years. Her efforts have varied from carrying out scientific projects at the bench to overseeing administration at the McGill Cancer Centre. She has also been involved with the biomedical/biotechnology industry to promote the development of new cancer-fighting drugs. She volunteers her time for patients suffering from cancer and was a founder of the Montreal chapter of Gilda's Club, a wellness centre for people living with cancer.
About Daniel Zigman (McGill BSc 2001) [daniel.zigman [at] mail.mcgill.ca (email)]
Daniel Zigman is a fourth-year medical student at McGill University, who completed an undergraduate honours degree in biochemistry at the same university. During his internal medicine rotation, he trained in hematology/oncology and took care of several patients living with cancer. He intends to specialize in psychiatry, since he finds the interpersonal aspect of medicine one of the most satisfying aspects of his profession. He began taking piano lessons at age 6 and continued until he entered high school, when he took up guitar and played in a rock band. The Colour's Coming Back marks the first time his songs have been recorded on an album and he is happy to be part of such a meaningful project.
