This summer, CBC Ottawa tracked down some of the unique characters living and working in this city, to learn their stories. Click here to meet the Bone Lady, the Slipper Man, the Henna Lady and the ByWard Market's Horse Man.
The following interview has been edited for style and clarity.
I am Barry Leafloor, and I love to play sax. I’ve had a 43-year-long love relationship with her.
I try to play the saxophone for four hours a day. It’s in my DNA. I have to do it.
I’ve played in this particular spot along the 416 for about eight years. I jam in other outdoor spaces throughout the city, but this is one of my favourites.
It doesn’t look like much — just a dead end cul-de-sac. But I'm here in the early morning during the magic hours. Around 6:30 a.m. nature comes to life, and the forest starts to wake up.
I run a sound system through my phone for some volume. I can play as loud as I want without bothering anyone. It’s just me and the birds.
Passersby on the highway can’t hear me, but they know me. They beep their horns to say hi, and I wave to them. But I am not playing for anyone in particular. Just myself.
I am a teaching assistant for the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, so most of the year I am inside. I try to take advantage of the summer, and I get energy off of the sun.
Super role model
My brother, Donnie Leafloor, is also a musician. When we were growing up, everyone around us played the guitar or the bass. But I heard John Helliwell from Supertramp and thought I’d like to play the sax like him. Lucky for me, around that time my neighbour was selling a saxophone. I bought it, and that was the start of a beautiful relationship.
I play anything my ear likes to hear, from rock to jazz, and there’s so many emotions that go through my mind when I am playing.
Inspiring others
I also like to provoke a little conversation. I’ve heard comments like, “What’s he doing today?” “I wonder if he is getting ready for a show.” Or, “Maybe I can play the saxophone, too.”
I don’t do it for the comments, but I hope to inspire other people to pick up an instrument.
Good vibes only
One time, I was playing on the side of a highway in Renfrew and a car pulled over to listen to my music.
After about 10 minutes, I heard a small voice from inside the car say, “Excuse me, can you come here?” I walked up to the car, and it was a little girl. She said, “I really like the sound of your playing,” and she handed me a loonie. I thought that was really cute.
If I can put a smile on people’s face and get them talking about music, then I feel good.
Open jam
I have one more year before retiring. Moving somewhere warmer where I can play sax outside year-round is certainly in the cards. It’s time to start thinking about where I want to be.
But until then, if anyone wants to join me in a jam session on the 416 cul-du-sac, they are certainly welcome.
Ash Abraham is an associate producer and reporter at CBC Ottawa. You can reach her by email at ash.abraham@cbc.ca.