“Jazz Osmosis”
Early Twentieth Century influences between Jazz and Classical- composers discussed will include Debussy, Ravel, Stravinsky and Film composers. Jazz Composers included will be Kern, Arlen, Porter and others. Audiences had better practice their “Lions, Tigers, and Bears, Oh My!” chant!
Jazz composer and pianist William Friedson is a performer showing audiences a new wave in merging Classical and Jazz techniques. He takes from Debussy, Jacques Lossier, and Bill Evans and sprinkles his performances with plenty of Keith Jarrett technique. Sam Fuqua of KGNU radio, Boulder, writes, “…a deft left hand and plenty of melodic lines…”
Mr. Friedson’s compositions have been performed in both the Canada and the U.S., as he lived in New York City for 10 years, where he earned his Masters in Composition from Manhattan School of Music. There he was commissioned to compose new music for An Evening of Russian Poetry with NYU poet laureate Yevgeny Yevtushenko. Excerpts from that performance were played on National Public Radio in the U.S..
While in New York, he also performed on Broadway and worked with many Jazz musicians in clubs— most notably his last mentor, Bob Mover. Since then he has worked with Big bands, small instrumental groups and vocalists, and has been commissioned for his music.
Mr. Friedson currently resides in Calgary, Alberta, where he divides his time between Classical pursuits and his jazz performances.
Imagine a musician whose bass reverberates with the soulful echoes of a life dedicated to his craft, and you’ll find John Gray. A master of the acoustic and electric bass, John’s journey began in high school, where his talent blossomed so quickly that by senior year, he was already performing in two symphony orchestras. This auspicious start led him to a 22-year collaboration with jazz and blues legend Clarence “Big” Miller, a luminary who played alongside the likes of Duke Ellington and Count Basie.
John Gray’s incredible career has placed him center stage with a staggering roster of icons, from Ray Charles and Stevie Ray Vaughn to Dexter Gordon, Chet Baker, and K.D. Lang. The list goes on, a testament to the breadth of John’s musical prowess, which spans genres and generations, connecting him to renowned artists such as Lenny Breau, Nat Adderly, Petula Clark, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, and countless others.
Today, John Gray’s passion for music continues to burn brightly as he serves as the Bassist, Bandleader, and Manager of the Ray Charles Tribute Orchestra, the Motown Tribute Orchestra, the Amy Winehouse Tribute Orchestra, and the Blossom Dearie Tribute Band, all based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
But John’s legacy doesn’t stop at his own performance. With over 40 years of teaching experience, he has cultivated the next generation of musical talent, sharing his knowledge and passion for the Electric Bass, Acoustic Bass, and Guitar. Through private lessons, the Clinic Line, and Mount Royal University, John Gray’s imprint on the world of music is far-reaching, as he inspires and educates his students, drawing from the deep well of experience that is his extraordinary career.
