Calgary Trumpeter Al Muirhead receives JUNO Award nomination
Western Canadian trumpeter and jazz legend Al Muirhead is nominated for A 2016 JUNO award for his debut album Its About Time in the Jazz Album of the Year: Solo category.
Al Muirhead’s first album Its About Time is aptly titled having been released shortly after his 79th birthday. This album is something that’s was a long time coming; something that needed to happen, says co-producer and bassist Kodi Hutchinson. Al Muirhead is one of Canadas living jazz legends, and it was important to document his artistry and his music!
It seems that others agree! The album which has been receiving rave reviews marked some major milestones reaching #1 in Canada and #21 in the United States on jazz radio. Its no wonder considering the tight knit Western Canadian ensemble that Al assembled for the recording, featuring jazz luminaries and two close friends that he has been performing with for over 60 years; JUNO winner and Order of Canada Recipient Tommy Banks on piano, and JUNO winning saxophonist PJ Perry. Rounding out the band are the relative youngsters; bassist Kodi Hutchinson (Montreal TD Grand Jazz Winner) and drummer Tyler Hornby (Multiple Western Canadian Music Award nominee).
A collection of timeless jazz standards and Al Muirhead originals, the album is a mix of full band, trio and duo tracks that let Muirhead unleash melodies that are at once incredibly inventive and utterly timeless.
