Canadian jazz refers to the jazz and jazz-related music performed by jazz bands and performers in Canada. There are hundreds of local and regionally based Canadian jazz bands and performers. A number of Canadian jazz artists have achieved international prominence, including Oscar Peterson, Maynard Ferguson, and Gil Evans.[1]
History
Early history
The first jazz concert in Canada was by the touring Creole Orchestra and Ragtime Band, led by Bill Johnson and featuring cornetist Freddie Keppard at the Pantages Playhouse Theatre in Winnipeg, Manitoba on September 21, 1914.[2][3] A few days later the band performed at Edmonton. The Winnipeg concert was the first jazz performance outside the United States and the beginning of jazz as an international movement.[4][5]
Since then, given its proximity to the United States, Canada quickly became the first country beyond the USA to have its own jazz scene, with artists popping up in cities across the country, notably in Montreal, Quebec in the 1910s. In part this was due to U.S. black jazz musicians finding escape in Canada from the racism rampant in the U.S.[3]
In Vancouver George Paris organized a jazz band for the Patricia Hotel in 1917. He is regarded by some as Canada's first true jazz musician. Others give that status to pianist Harry Thomas who recorded improvisational-accented ragtime music in 1916.[6][7] Other groups soon sprung up, among them the Clar-Ra Ladies Jazz Orchestra. The Jazz Baby Vaudeville (AKA the Original Winnipeg Jazz Babies) was composed of Winnipeg teens, each playing two or more instruments. These bands performed in dance clubs across the Prairies in the 1920s.[8][9][10] In 1926 pianist Shirley Oliver, with a background playing "hot-dance" tunes, opened a jazz music studio in Edmonton.[11]
Guy Lombardo formed the big band called the Royal Canadians in 1924 with his brothers and sold between 100 and 300 million records during their lifetimes.[12]
1950s and 60s
By the 1950s, jazz was popular across Canada, and a number of Canadian jazz artists became well known beyond their home country, most notably pianist Oscar Peterson, known as a virtuoso pianist and recording artist.[13] During this decade, Canadian Gil Evans was noted for his collaborations with Miles Davis as well as his own recordings, many of which are important early examples of a fusion of jazz and classical music known as third stream.[14]
Montreal's Maynard Ferguson was a notable trumpet player in the 1950s and 60s, who was known for playing in a high register. He toured and recorded with his own band as well as with Stan Kenton.
Maynard Ferguson achieved mainstream success and recorded a number of popular albums in the 1970s, including a pop hit cover of "Gonna Fly Now" from the movie Rocky, earning him a gold album.[16]
During the 1970s, innovative Canadian guitarists, Lenny Breau and Ed Bickert, were among the most highly-regarded jazz guitarists of their time. Breau was known for finger picking style, his use of seven-string guitar, and his ability to play bass, chords and melody simultaneously. Bickert was known for popularizing the use of solid-body guitars, rare among jazz artists at that time, which produced a distinct and signature tone.
During the mid-70s, American saxophonist Paul Desmond relocated to Toronto where he performed with his Toronto Quartet, including Ed Bickert, Jerry Fuller, and bassist Don Thompson.[18]
1980s and 90s
Pianist Oliver Jones returned to Montreal in the 1980s, where he performed and recorded a number of albums.
During the 1990s, pianist Renee Rosnes released a number of albums for Blue Note. Other notable Canadian jazz recordings of the 1990s include Kenny Wheeler's Angel Song.
21st century
In the 21st century, a number of Canadian jazz vocalists, such as Diana Krall and Michael Buble became popular. Younger Canadian jazz artists include guitarist Jocelyn Gould.
