Jeff Johnston, - two time Juno nominee, pianist, composer, producer, educator, Justin Time recording artist
"music at the contemporary cutting edge. immensely and immediately satisfying.” - Jazz Times Magazine
"Montreal has a well-deserved reputation for producing fine jazz piano talent. The likes of Oscar Peterson and Oliver Jones come to mind. Count Jeff Johnston in that pool too." - Planet Jazz Magazine
"He is one of the most complete jazz pianists that I have met over the years. He is familiar with the tradition and as well has forged his own style. He is a composer of the first order." - Dave Liebman
"Johnston's a pianist and composer of great clarity and refined sensibilities who revels in the sound of the piano brawn is not the point here, beauty is." - Mark Miller, Globe and Mail
Active on the music scene for over twenty years and considered "clearly in Canada's top ranks"(Toronto Star), Johnston has performed and recorded with many of the worlds best, including John Abercrombie, Don Alias, Shirley Eikhard, Kenny Wheeler, Dave Liebman, Archie Shepp, Sonny Greenwich and Slide Hampton. His music has been described by critics as "outstanding in every way" and "Canadian jazz at it's best"(Globe and Mail). He has performed extensively throughout North America and Europe including the Antibes Jazz Festival in France, the Umbria Jazz Festival in Italy and as a regular at the Montreal International Jazz Festival.
The recipient of numerous awards from the Canada Council, FACTOR, Heritage Canada and The Quebec Arts Council, Johnston in 1984 received the prestigious R. Murray Shafer award for composition. He has twice been nominated for both the Juno Awards and the East Coast Music Awards. Johnston honed his craft in New York City under the tutelage of renowned composer and pianist Richard Beirach. Now based in Montreal, Johnston is on faculty at McGill University's Schulich School of Music.
Jeff Johnston has provided music for feature films, documentaries, computer games, animated shows, commercials, and video productions. Johnston's film scores cover a vast array of musical styles, incorporating ambient textures, orchestral elements, percussive and electronic loops, and influences from many cultures.
Jeff Johnston Music productions have been heard on CBC-TV, CTV, Global television, Canal D, History channel, PBS, TV5, ARTV, TVOntario, Radio Canada, Bravo, CBC Newsworld, Teletoons and Cool TV.
With Dave Watts and Rich Irwin at Diese Onze - Montreal Feb 2009
Jeff Johnston, Miles Perkin, Phil Melanson "The Trolley Song" live at Tanna Shulich Hall, Montreal Sept 26, 2008
courtesy of sortiesjazznights.com
At the Upstairs Jazz Club with vocalist Johanne Desforges
