Bio
The Hutchinson Andrew Trio (HAT), is a unique voice on the Canadian Jazz Scene. Since 2003, this acoustic piano based trio has been bringing their own sound to the Canadian jazz landscape. The Trio is comprised of three-time Western Canadian Award nominated bassist Kodi Hutchinson, CBC Galaxie Rising Star pianist Chris Andrew, and Downbeat award-winning drummer Karl Schwonik. They are the winners of the 2013 TD Grand Jazz Award from the Montréal International Jazz Festival.
HAT’s music can be categorized as contemporary acoustic jazz. They bring their unique Prairie perspective to music mixing elements such as contemporary swing, latin, oddmeter and acoustic groove. Kodi and Chris list artists such as Robert Glasper, Aaron Parks, and Brad Mehldau as some of their influences. Their music is representative of where they come from; the serenity and beauty of the Prairies and Rocky Mountains, alongside the excitement of the vibrant and growing young cities of the Canadian West.
A distinct voice emanating from Western Canada, the Hutchinson Andrew Trio is excited to release their third album “Prairie Modern”. The album consists of 13 original tracks that are a reflection of the vast array of musical and personal influences growing up in Canada’s Prairies. The album released March 19, 2013, features 6 tracks with Grammy-nominated saxophonist Donny McCaslin and 3 tracks with Brazilian percussion star Rogério Boccato. The music represents the harmony, beauty, energy and excitement of the modern Canadian West. ‘Prairie Modern’ has been nominated for a 2013 Western Canadian Music Award – for Outstanding Jazz Recording of the Year, the third nomination for the band. It was also featured by Downbeat Magazine’s website as the Editor’s Pick for July 2013.
Their debut album ‘Lost but not forgotten’, charted on the Canadian Jazz Radio Charts for over three months. In addition, CBC Radio put the album on their regular rotation as well as recording them live for air at the inaugural Canmore International Jazz Festival. The album garnered a 2006 Western Canadian Music Award (WCMA) nomination in the Outstanding Jazz Recording category. HAT was joined on their sophomore album ‘Music Box’ by Canadian Jazz legend Ralph Bowen on tenor saxophone. ‘Music Box’ was released in January 2008 and also charted across Canada. The Trio earned it’s second WCMA nomination in 2008 for Outstanding Jazz Recording for the disc.
A regular fixture on the Western Canadian jazz scene, HAT has performed to enthusiastic crowds at the events such as the Montreal, Medicine Hat, Calgary, Canmore and Yardbird Jazz Festivals, as well as headlining for numerous concert series in Western Canada. They were also featured as part of Alberta House on the final weekend of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, had Chris Andrew represent Alberta musically at the 2012 London Olympics, and have been featured as part of the Alberta Foundation, Alberta Music, and Chronograph Records compilation albums. The trio plays regularly throughout the year for engagements across Western Canada, and have opened for Monty Alexander, and have played with Lee Konitz.
Chris Andrew (Piano)
Since graduating from Grant MacEwan College in 1990, Chris has become a key player in the Alberta music scene. His musical diversity can be seen through his numerous performances over the years in genres such as jazz, funk, pop, latin, and musical theatre. Chris has recently been honoured with the CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award for his virtuosic talent.
Although well known as a jazz educator in Alberta, Chris is best known for his ability to play. Chris’ resume lists a veritable who’s who of jazz. Chris has performed with Joshua Redman, Sonny Fortune, Bud Shank, Pete Christlieb, Joe LaBarbera, P.J. Perry, Kirk MacDonald, Paquito D’Rivera, Brad Turner, and Steve Wallace, and many more. Locally, Chris has performed or recorded with numerous well-known groups including the Jump Orchestra, Maracujah, Bomba, Tim Tamashiro, and the Edmonton Symphony.
Kodi Hutchinson (Bass)
Double Bassist Kodi Hutchinson has been active on the Canadian music scene since 1992. Since those early beginnings, Kodi has established himself as one of the top-call bassists in Western Canada. He has worked with artists such as PJ Perry, Laura Crema, Dave Restivo, Owen Howard, Hugh Fraser, Paul Tobey, Ingrid Jensen, Ross Taggart, Mike Murley, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and Decidedly Jazz Danceworks. Kodi currently resides in Calgary, AB, where he is an instructor at the University of Calgary’s Summer Jazz Program. Kodi talents are in wide demand whether in the studio or on stage. His range of musical tastes has allowed him to tour and record with such artists as Terrain, Clanterra, Karl Roth and Sillan & Young.
Karl Schwonik (Drums)
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. Although a relative youngster in the jazz idiom, Karl is emerging as one of Canada’s brightest stars as both a sideman and leader. In addition to playing with the Hutchinson Andrew Trio, Karl has toured extensively with his own bands across both Canada and the U.S.. Both of his solo albums ‘Visions from the Farm’ (2010) and ‘1+4: Karl Schwonik Jazz Ensemble avec/with Rmi Bolduc’ (2011), appear on Chronograph Records and both debuted to rave reviews across the country. Both albums have been nominated for Western Canadian Music Awards for ‘Jazz Recording of the Year’, and ‘Visions’ won a DownBeat Magazine composition award. 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 Alberta’s Emerging Artist Award, and was the winner of the VSA Arts International Young Soloist Award, where he performed at the famed Kennedy Center in Washington DC. Schwonik was also named one of Calgary’s ‘Top 40 Under 40’ for 2009 by Avenue magazine. He is the youngest person ever to be given this honour. Schwonik is the President and Founder of the Wetaskiwin Jazz Society in Wetaskiwin, AB, and Artistic Director of the Wetaskiwin Jazz Camp. In addition, Schwonik has been featured in over 100 newspapers and magazines throughout North America.
