Local band Ice-No-Slice sparks memories and connection in care homes
Kingston-based musician James MacKenzie is using the power of live music to brighten the lives of seniors living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Through weekly performances with his band, Ice-No-Slice, MacKenzie plays songs from residents’ younger years, often inspiring singing, toe-tapping, and moments of genuine connection.
MacKenzie’s work is deeply personal. He began performing in long-term care facilities after his mother moved into one, and he remembers his first gig vividly: 14 residents joined him in the dining area, and by the end of his 90-minute set, 12 were dancing. “Music has a way of reaching people even when words can’t,” he says.
Ice-No-Slice formed in 2008 in Brockville, named after a saxophone player’s drink order — “ice, no slice.” Since then, the group has performed at fundraisers, seasonal concerts, musicals, and private events, while dedicating an hour each week to live-streamed music sessions for care homes across Canada and some in the U.S.
These sessions aim to engage residents with songs from their era, promoting well-being and fostering meaningful connections for those in advanced stages of memory care.
MacKenzie tells us what feeling he wants to leave the residents with after he packs up his instruments for the night.
MacKenzie, a retired teacher with degrees in music education, history, and distance education, has spent his career sharing music in all forms. Now, his focus is bringing joy to seniors through the universal language of music, proving that even a simple weekly performance can make a lasting difference.
Story by Alyssa Brush