Visions From The Farm
Karl Schwonik
"...one of Canada's youngest, hardest working and most creative musicians..." - Calgary Jazz Association
"...one of Canadas 3 up and coming drummers- Peter Hum Ottawa Citizen
Alberta born, award-winning drummer Karl Schwonik grew up on a farm near Gwynne where he was exposed to countless musical situations ranging from polka to jazz. Fresh out of high school, Schwonik embarked on a tour with 2-time Canadian Country Music Award Nominee Heather-Dawn. This was followed by an invitation to study at the Banff Centre where Schwonik was the youngest artist ever to be a part of the long-term career residency program.
Schwonik's 29-day, 2010 Visions From the Farm tour, his 5th of Canada as a leader, was in support of his newly released recording by the same name. "Visions from the Farm" has debuted to rave reviews across the country. It has also been nominated for a 2010 Western Canadian Music Award for Jazz Recording of the Year and won a DownBeat Magazine composition award. The title of the recording is a play on words, combining Schwonik's rural upbringing and his visual impairment. Each song is programmatic. For example, Motorhomes/Green Line is a commentary on his journey from the simple lifestyle of the farm to the bustling metropolis of Montreal.
In the past 2 years, Schwonik was featured nationally on CBC Radio 2 as a part of a the series NEXT: Canada's Music Future, was featured nationally on CBCs Canada Live!, was the winner of the AFM International Diversity award, was the winner of the Lieutenant Governor of Albertas Emerging Artist Award, and was the winner of the VSA Arts International Young Soloist Award, where the prize was a cash award and a performance at the famed Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. Schwonik was also named one of Calgarys Top 40 Under 40 for 2009 by Avenue magazine. He is the youngest person ever to be given this honour.
Schwonik's professional work and initiatives have been generously supported by: The Canada Council for the Arts, The Alberta Foundation for the Arts, the Anne Burrows Music Foundation, the Royal Bank of Canada and Downbeat Magazine among many others. In addition to this support Schwonik: received the 2008 Queens Jubilee Award for Excellence in the Arts; received the Richard Cowie Scholarship for Young Jazz Musicians; performed at Carnegie Hall and The Kennedy Center; was named Alternate Drumset for the Henry Mancini Institute; and has received numerous scholarships to attend music workshops across North America.
Schwonik is the President and Founder of the Wetaskiwin Jazz Society in Wetaskiwin, AB, and Artistic Director of the Wetaskiwin Jazz Camp.
Schwonik's performing credits include: Dave Douglas, Chucho Valdes, Dave Liebman, Sonny Fortune, David Braid, Jens Lindemann, P.J. Perry, Tommy Banks, Hugh Fraser, Remi Bolduc and many others. In addition, Schwonik has been featured in over 100 newspapers and magazines throughout North America.
Schwonik uses Yamaha drums and Hardware, Vic Firth sticks, Remo heads, and Paiste, Zildjian and Sabian cymbals.
