Robert lost his father before he'd even been born, and was quickly abandoned by his young mother to be raised by his grandparents in small-town Saskatchewan. In another sense, though, Robert never lost his father, whose ghostly presence lingers in the young boy's life over the years by means of spectral "advice letters" on how to be a man.

When Robert finds an old pump organ in a derelict farmhouse, he discovers a deep love of and talent for performing music. He also begins to discover secrets from his past, including his grandfather's Communist ties, and the familial cover-up of his father's sudden death. Along the way, Robert embraces his budding bisexuality, discovers his Métis identity and harnesses the power of his wild imagination.

Recalling the work of Jamie Fitzpatrick and Greg Rhyno, The Boy Who Was Saved By Jazz is a coming-of-age story and meditation on belonging.

Tom Bentley-Fisher lives in Alameda CA. His work has been published in magazines throughout Canada, including Grain, The Dalhousie Review, and NeWest Review. His collection of short stories, Blind Man's Drum, was a finalist for Saskatchewan Book Awards, and his short story, "Wars" and "Rumours of Wars", a finalist for the National Magazine Award for Humour. His play Friends was published by Red Deer Press.
Tom has been the artistic director of five professional theatres in Canada, the US, and Spain, developing and directing over 100 productions.

Tom Bentley-Fisher's profile page