About Azure Music Ensembles & Drumming

Azure Music was initially launched in 2006. It began with a few private music lessons taught by Vanessa Diehl. Within a few years Vanessa opened Azure Music Studio Inc., a music studio offering private music lessons on a large variety of instruments. The studio grew to have 13 music instructors, a recording studio and offer specialized drumming events. The studio was a place where a deep Love of Music was fostered. 

In 2014, Vanessa chose to sell Azure Music Studio as she and her husband began a family and moved to the country. During this time Azure Drumming continued , allowing drumming to be brought to schools, corporations and private events. Azure Drumming continues to operate and offers a unique music experience  to enhance wellness events, team building and music enrichment.  Visit the DRUMMING page for more details. 

2023 was the year Azure Ensembles was launched to support homeschool youth in music education. Azure Ensembles is an opportunity for students to learn an instrument in a band setting. The instructors of Azure Ensembles travel to locations in Edmonton and surrounding areas to teach, lead and inspire a Love of Music.

How did Azure Music get its name?

AZURE    az-ure

/ˈaZHər/

Adjective:

          bright blue in color like a cloudless sky.

        "white beaches surrounded by azure seas"

Noun: 

1. a bright blue color."a flash of azure drew my eye to a kingfisher"
2. a small butterfly that is typically blue or purplish

Why the name Azure for a music company? Vanessa chose the name Azure Music for two distinctive reasons. The first is as a nod to the great tenor saxophone player, John Coltrane. Coltrane's contribution to jazz music through complex harmonics and enhancement to the hard bop genre pushed jazz towards what we hear today.  One famous song called Blue Train can be found on the hard bop album titled Blue Train which was recorded by the label Blue Note. Vanessa has a deep love of jazz, contemporary and blues music. Having the word Azure (a hue of blue) in the company title reminds her of these roots. 

In addition to a nod to the color, the word AZURE can be broken into three words creating a beautiful message  -  As You Are (az-u-re). The idea that students/participants can all show up as you are to embark on this musical journey together.