While mechanical engineer John Jastremski is among Ottawa’s more successful business leaders, what many people may not know is that engineering used to be his fallback plan, and that his original dream was something actually quite different.

“I’m going to keep doing this until I make it into music — I’m this close,” the Ottawa-born and-raised businessman says with a smile, holding his thumb and pointer finger so that they almost touch.

He’s kidding, of course, about abandoning the executive world for rock stardom. Jastremski couldn’t be prouder about being president and CEO of MDS, a global leader in designing and building multi-million-dollar facilities that test the kind of gas turbine engines found in aircrafts. Founded in Montreal in 1985 by the late Hans Odoerfer and later relocated to Ottawa, MDS is considered one of the leading companies in the world at what it does.

“He showed us that by taking a bit of a risk, believing in yourself and surrounding yourself with smart people, there’s nothing you can’t solve,” says Jastremski during an interview at the company’s east-end headquarters in Innes Business Park.

Most everyone calls him JJ. “When I started, there were several Johns, so we all went by our initials.”

Hanging in his office are two guitars: an acoustic seven-string from a customer in Russia (where MDS is no longer active), and a well-worn model that he keeps handy for when he’s available to join the company’s weekly noon-hour jam sessions.

“Livin’ the dream,” says Jastremski of his ability to pursue his two great passions: engineering innovation and live music.

His five-piece band, Faux Confessions, just first released its first vinyl record, produced by Steve Foley of Audio Valley Recording Studio.

On Friday, May 2nd, the band will take to the stage at the Rainbow in the ByWard Market as part of CAPO 5 – a biannual event created by local business development advisor and musician Ted Carty.

The live music show brings members of the business community together to perform on stage in front of a fun crowd while raising money for local charities. This time around, it’s helping the Ottawa Food Bank. Sponsors include seoplus+, iSiLIVE, Welch LLP and MARANT Construction.

Music has played a major role in Jastremski’s life since childhood. “I don’t know where I’d be without music. Even when I’m feeling down, when the music starts, it changes my whole perspective.”

By Grade 6, Jastremski was in his first band. In his teens, he and his buddies were focused on joining the weekly jams at the Rainbow — the same iconic venue where k.d. lang, Colin James, Blue Rodeo and others made their mark. He wasn’t old enough, but staff turned a blind eye to the underage musicians, sensing how desperately they wanted to be part of the scene.  “They would say, ‘We catch any of you with alcohol, we’re booting you out the door’.”

Jastremski went on to earn both his undergraduate and master’s degrees in engineering at Carleton University. Growing up, he was always good at fixing things, especially at the hobby farm that his family still owns near Calabogie (the barn doubles as a live music venue for social gatherings).

As a young engineer, Jastremski hadn’t been working at MDS long before he stepped away to record an album with his band, The Mustards. It was produced by the late Myles Goodwyn of April Wine fame. The Mustards also toured across Canada, opening for April Wine.

“It was an amazing experience,” said Jastremski. When it ended, he returned to MDS, where a job was waiting. He worked in engineering, project management, and business development before taking the reins as CEO and president from Kevin Fitzgerald, who retired in early 2015.

MDS president and CEO John Jastremski, at company headquarters in Ottawa, with his band’s self-titled new album, Faux Confessions. Photo by Caroline Phillips

During the pandemic, Jastremski was part of a group of music-loving business leaders who helped save the Rainbow from permanent closure. While he contributed financially, his biggest investment was time; he showed up nearly every evening for weeks to oversee the venue’s renovations. The core group also includes Kevin Ford (CEO, Calian Group), John Sicard (retired CEO, Kinaxis), and Jim Harmon (managing partner, Boyden).

“We all had a common love for music but different strengths that we could pull together”, said Jastremski, recognizing that they “put their brains together” to solve a problem.  With a plan in place and the recruitment of a team, known as the Amplifiers, they helped pave the way for the next phase of the hallowed hall. The team included Kathryn Tremblay (Altis Recruitment), Andrew Penney (Kingsford), Warren Tomlin (EY), Darren Fleming (Real Strategy), Franklin Holtforster (Colliers), Paul Renaud (Mark Motors), Cyril Leeder (Ottawa Senators/Myers Automotive), Michael Curran (OBJ), and the Ottawa Music Coalition Industry’s Melanie Brulée, who’s also performing in CAPO 5.

“We’re so blessed to have so many well-wishing, smart but empathetic leaders in our community that are the first to put up their hand to say, ‘How can I help you?’.”

The Rainbow is a passion for real estate agent Danny Sivyer and his school-teacher daughter Stacie.  “They do it because they love it, they believe in it.”

Jastremski considers The Rainbow to be one of the “most iconic”  venues in Ottawa due to its deep roots in the city’s music scene. It hosted many musicians before they really found fame. Photos from their those shows now line the walls. “The Rainbow has always been one of those places that will take a risk and give artists a chance, always with the spirit of supporting people trying to make a go of it.”

MARANT’s regional director of operations, Matthew DiCintio, is performing at CAPO 5, along with a number of well-known names from the local business scene, including Sean Lundy, president and CEO of M.P. Lundy Construction. He and his bandmates are students of Scott Walford.

“Scott said ‘I know you’re all dedicated to learning, so I’m going to put you all together and teach you how to play as a band’,” said Lundy, who viewed CAPO 5 as an incredible opportunity for them to play at the Rainbow. “You don’t say no to that. There’s going to be a full house, people ready to party. It’s perfect.”

To learn more about CAPO or to purchase tickets, go to: capomusic.ca.

The latest lineup for CAPO 5, which returns to the Rainbow Bistro on Friday, May 2, 2025

MARANT Construction regional director of operations Matthew DiCintio was practising recently for his upcoming CAPO 5 performance at the Glebe Central Pub. Photo by Caroline Phillips.

M.P. Lundy president and CEO Sean Lundy, far left, with his band OC45, rehearsing at Alcorn Music Studios back in March. Photo by Caroline Phillips

The multi-talented Scott Walford on drums during a rehearsal with the band OC45 at Alcorn Music Studios. Photo by Caroline Phillips

This article is made possible through sponsorship from Star Motors, WCPD, Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties, ExecHealth, Infinity Convention Centre, Altis Recruitment, Bell Canada, First Avenue Investment Counsel and RBC.

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