"I didn't know Chris that well. But I know he had promise. He had talent
and a beautiful willingness to learn
and try new things. I've never heard Han Bennink rave about a young
drummer the way he did about Chris.
It's a rare human being that can grasp a new idea, see it in isolation,
and effectively act on it with pinpoint
accuracy. That's what Chris was like. I don't know why but Chris always
played soft. I encouraged him to use
the full dynamic range of his instrument, describing the crescendos and
climaxes I was looking for, and
telling him how necessary it was so that the whole band would sound
good.
The first few times were awkward. He tried the louder sounds against
every ounce of his instinct. The peaks
were clumsy and out of balance with the band. I could tell it was a
struggle for him, but outwardly he was
calm, smiling even.
Within a week he had it down. Maybe that was why he was smiling.
Because once he knew where he was
going he was very patient to get there. I am sure wherever he is now he
is still smiling. I'll miss him." -Dave Douglas
..."I had the chance to play with Chris a few times as part of the City Stages but most memorable was the gig that he and I did with Doug Reilly. I had put my back out and had a terribly embarrassing time flubbing over everything while playing with Doug and in front of so many musicians. Chris was a professional. Both of us were a bit freaking out before this gig with Doug Reilly, and Chris never flinched - he played his heart out, he played wonderfully, and I remember the look on Doug Reilly's face as Chris played and as Chris soloed. I remember at the time feeling a bit jealous as Doug eagerly and excitedly thanked Chris after the gig bestowing musical praise upon him, obviously super impressed with his playing, after he simply thanked me. Now, it's amazing how insignificant and small that seems. I see now that I was hung up - 'my back isn't 100% yet ... I haven't played in two months...there are so many musicians in the audience and they're gonna know how bad I am ... this is Doug Reilly and I'm probably gonna play terrible ... I hate soloing ... I'm not good at it ... ah I wish I could just play bass lines and not solo...'
Chris just played...and Chris loved it....he loved any oppurtunity to play. And that's a wonderful life lesson in itself - one I will continue to learn from - so Thank You Chris Driscoll. Chris affected people around him. So much, that there has been a memorial scholarship set up in Chris' name at the Banff Centre where Chris was a musical resident in 2004." -Deryl Gallant