Phil Dwyer (musician)
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Phil Dwyer is a Canadian jazz
saxophonist The saxophone (often referred to colloquially as the sax) is a type of single-reed woodwind instrument with a conical body, usually made of brass. As with all single-reed instruments, sound is produced when a reed on a mouthpiece vibrates to pr ...
,
pianist A pianist ( , ) is an individual musician who plays the piano. Since most forms of Western music can make use of the piano, pianists have a wide repertoire and a wide variety of styles to choose from, among them traditional classical music, ja ...
, composer, producer and educator. In 2017 he graduated from the
University of New Brunswick The University of New Brunswick (UNB) is a public university with two primary campuses in Fredericton and Saint John, New Brunswick. It is the oldest English-language university in Canada, and among the oldest public universities in North Americ ...
(UNB) Faculty of Law in
Fredericton Fredericton (; ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of New Brunswick. The city is situated in the west-central portion of the province along the Saint John River, which flows west to east as it bisects the city. The river is the do ...
,
New Brunswick New Brunswick (french: Nouveau-Brunswick, , locally ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is one of the three Maritime provinces and one of the four Atlantic provinces. It is the only province with both English and ...
and was called to the bar of British Columbia in 2018. Dwyer is Member of the
Order of Canada The Order of Canada (french: Ordre du Canada; abbreviated as OC) is a Canadian state order and the second-highest honour for merit in the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, after the Order of Merit. To coincide with the ...
, having been invested in 2013 "For his contributions to jazz as a performer, composer and producer, and for increasing access to music education in his community." Dwyer has been nominated for
Juno Award The Juno Awards, more popularly known as the JUNOS, are awards presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music. New members of the Canadian Music Hall of ...
s six times and won Best Mainstream Jazz Album in 1994 with Dave Young for '' Fables and Dreams'' and Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year in 2012 for the recording ''Changing Seasons''. Dwyer has also appeared on
Juno Award The Juno Awards, more popularly known as the JUNOS, are awards presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music. New members of the Canadian Music Hall of ...
winning recordings with Hugh Fraser (1988),
Joe Sealy Joseph Arthur Sealy (born 16 August 1939) is a Canadian jazz musician. He was awarded the Order of Canada in 2010. Awards * Juno Awards of 1982 - Nominee for Best Jazz Album - '' Clear Vision'' * Juno Awards of 1995 - Nominee for Best Contempor ...
(1997),
Natalie MacMaster Natalie MacMaster (born June 13, 1972) is a Canadian fiddler from Troy, Inverness County, Nova Scotia who plays Cape Breton fiddle music. MacMaster has toured with the Chieftains, Faith Hill, Carlos Santana, and Alison Krauss, and has recorded ...
(2000),
Guido Basso Guido Basso, (born 27 September 1937) is a Canadian jazz musician who was a member of Rob McConnell's Boss Brass big band. He is a trumpeter, flugelhornist, arranger, composer and conductor. Life and career Basso was born in Montreal, Quebec ...
(2004), Don Thompson (2006),
Molly Johnson Margaret Leslie "Molly" Johnson, Order of Canada, OC is a Canadian Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter of pop and jazz. Biography Johnson began as a child performer, receiving formal training from the National Ballet School and the Banff Schoo ...
(2009), Terry Clarke (2010), and
Diana Panton Diana Panton is a Canadian jazz vocalist. She won a Juno Award for Children's Album of the Year in 2017 for ''I Believe in Little Things'' and a 2015 Juno award for Vocal Jazz Album for ''RED''. She has also received five JUNO nominations for he ...
(2015). He is an alumnus and Honorary Fellow of
The Royal Conservatory of Music The Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM), branded as The Royal Conservatory, is a non-profit music education institution and performance venue headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was founded in 1886 by Edward Fisher as The Toronto Con ...
.


Biography

Dwyer was born December 17, 1965, in
Duncan, British Columbia Duncan (pop. 5,047 in 2021) is a city on southern Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It is the smallest city by area (2.07 square kilometres, 0.8 square miles) in Canada. It was incorporated in 1912. Location The city is about 45 kilo ...
, and went to high school in Parksville, and
Qualicum Beach :''"Qualicum" re-directs here. For the neighbourhood in Ottawa, see Qualicum, Ottawa'' Qualicum Beach () is a town located on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. In the 2021 census, it had a population of 9,303. It is situated at the fo ...
, British Columbia. Dwyer’s first national press exposure came from journalist Mark Miller, who profiled Dwyer in a piece filed for ''
The Globe and Mail ''The Globe and Mail'' is a Canadian newspaper printed in five cities in western and central Canada. With a weekly readership of approximately 2 million in 2015, it is Canada's most widely read newspaper on weekdays and Saturdays, although it ...
'' in 1982 from the Canadian Stage Band Festival (precursor to
MusicFest Canada MusicFest Canada, originally established as the Canadian Stage Band Festival (CSBF), is a national educational music festival in Canada. It was founded in 1972 by Robert Richmond (the founding president), Gary Wadsworth, and Paul Miner. The CS ...
), held that year in Hamilton, Ontario. Dwyer performed with his Ballenas Secondary School group Triple Image and took the Gold Medal in the combo category. Dwyer joined the American Federation of Musicians, Local 145 in 1983 at age 17 to perform with Fred Stride's West Coast Jazz Orchestra, 'subbing' for well-known Vancouver saxophonist/flautist Tom Keenlyside. A recording of his first Vancouver performance as a bandleader led to his receiving a Canada Council grant in 1983 to study in New York with
David Liebman David Liebman (born September 4, 1946) is an American saxophonist, flautist and jazz educator. He is known for his innovative lines and use of atonality. He was a frequent collaborator with pianist Richie Beirach. In June 2010, he received a N ...
, which led in turn to studies with Steve Grossman. Earlier teachers included saxophonists Steve Jones and David Branter, pianist Don Thompson, piano/theory teacher Joan Gosselin, and high school band director Bill Cave. His high school contemporaries included trumpeter
Ingrid Jensen Ingrid Jensen (born January 12, 1966) is a Canadian jazz trumpeter. Music career Jensen was born in North Vancouver and grew up in Nanaimo. She received a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music in Boston. After graduating from Berklee, she ...
, bassist Pat Collins, and singer/pianist
Diana Krall Diana Jean Krall (born November 16, 1964) is a Canadian jazz pianist and singer known for her contralto vocals. She has sold more than 15 million albums worldwide, including over six million in the US. On December 11, 2009, '' Billboard'' maga ...
, for whom years later Dwyer would compose the tribute song 'Diana Piana'. In 1985, Dwyer returned to Canada to stay, stopping in Edmonton on his way to
Vancouver Vancouver ( ) is a major city in western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the List of cities in British Columbia, most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the ...
to perform the Hugh Fraser’s VEJI band, and guitarist Oliver Gannon’s Quartet, at the Edmonton Jazz City Festival. From 1985 through 1988, Dwyer was based in Vancouver, where he worked as a freelance musician, was a member of VEJI and the Hugh Fraser Quintet, and traveled south to work with bassist
David Friesen David Friesen (born May 6, 1942 in Tacoma, Washington) is an American jazz bassist. He plays double bass and electric upright bass. Career Friesen began playing bass while serving in the United States Army in Germany. He played with John Hand ...
’s Trio (with drummer Alan Jones). Among his earlier recordings were the Juno-winning ''Looking Up'' (Hugh Fraser Quintet), ''Classic VEJI'', and Friesen’s ''Other Times, Other Places''. Reviewers, including journalist
Scott Yanow Scott Yanow (born October 4, 1954) is an American jazz reviewer, historian, and author.Allmusic Biography/ref> Biography Yanow was born in New York City and grew up near Los Angeles. Since 1974, he was a regular reviewer of many jazz styles an ...
, highlighted Dwyer’s contributions to Friesen’s recording in particular. In 1988, Dwyer relocated to
Toronto Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the ancho ...
and established a freelance performing and recording career, as well as joining the music faculty at
York University York University (french: Université York), also known as YorkU or simply YU, is a public university, public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's fourth-largest university, and it has approximately 55,700 students, 7,0 ...
. He was a frequent performer at Toronto jazz clubs such as the
Top o' the Senator The Top o' the Senator was a jazz club located at 251 Victoria Street in Toronto, Ontario. Operating between 1990 and 2005, it was one of Toronto's preeminent jazz clubs and featured many internationally renowned musicians. History The Top o' the ...
, Montréal Bistro,
George's Spaghetti House George's Spaghetti House was a jazz club located at 290 Dundas Street East in Toronto. History In 1956 entrepreneur Doug Cole (1925–2012) bought the restaurant, keeping the existing name. Cole began to feature jazz at the restaurant on weekend ...
, the Pilot Tavern, and the Rex Jazz Bar. He also appeared at concert venues such as
Massey Hall Massey Hall is a performing arts theatre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Opened in 1894, it is known for its outstanding acoustics and was the long-time hall of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. An intimate theatre, it was originally designed to sea ...
, Roy Thompson Hall, the
O'Keefe Centre Meridian Hall is a major performing arts venue in Toronto, Ontario, and it is the country's largest soft-seat theatre. The facility was constructed for the City of Toronto municipal government and is currently managed by TO Live, an arms-le ...
, and others. Among the artists with whom Dwyer appeared are Kenny Wheeler, Aretha Franklin, Rodney Whitaker, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Esprit Orchestra, Holly Cole, Tom Harrell, Renee Rosnes, and many others. During the time he lived in Toronto, he also toured frequently across Canada, in the U.S., South America, Europe, and Asia, appearing at various clubs and festivals with different Canadian-based groups and in 1995 with Gino Vannelli. From the early 1990s until 2004, Dwyer was a fixture in the Toronto recording studios, appearing on many albums, radio shows, and commercials. Some of his most frequent collaborators included Doug Riley, Don Thompson, Roberto Occhipinti, Molly Johnson, Guido Basso, John Johnson, Manteca, and Tim Tickner. He also wrote commercial music for production companies Rosnick/McKinnon, Einstein Bros., Pirate, and others. In 1999-2000, Dwyer studied composition with
Michael Colgrass Michael Charles Colgrass (April 22, 1932 – July 2, 2019) was an American-born Canada-based musician, composer, and educator. Life and career Colgrass was born in Brookfield, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. His musical career began in Chicag ...
, which led to him writing music by the commission for the Amici Ensemble,
Patricia O'Callaghan Patricia Mary O'Callaghan (born October 2, 1970) is a classically trained Canadian singer. She is a soprano who has built an international reputation as a performer of contemporary opera, early 20th-century cabaret music and the songs of Leonard Co ...
, Art Of Time,
Gryphon Trio The Gryphon Trio is a Canadian classical music ensemble that has been nominated for several and has won three Juno Awards for its classical recordings released by the Analekta label. Its members are Annalee Patipatanakoon (violin), Roman Borys (cel ...
, Mark Fewer, CBC Orchestra, Kate Alton (choreographer), and several
CBC Radio CBC Radio is the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which (regardless of language) are outlined below ...
projects. In 2004, Dwyer relocated to Qualicum Beach, on his native Vancouver Island. He continued to tour, write and record prolifically, including recordings with Terri Lyne Carrington, Terry Clarke,
Joey Defrancesco Joey DeFrancesco (April 10, 1971August 25, 2022) was an American jazz organist, trumpeter, saxophonist, and occasional singer. He released more than 30 albums under his own name, and recorded extensively as a sideman with such leading jazz perfo ...
, Don Thompson, Molly Johnson, Ian McDougall, Phil Dwyer Orchestra, Jon McCaslin, Melinda Whitaker, Norman Foote, David Gogo, and the Bridge Quartet. He also founded and operated the Phil Dwyer Academy of Musical and Culinary Arts (PDAMCA). In 2013, he was made a Member of the
Order of Canada The Order of Canada (french: Ordre du Canada; abbreviated as OC) is a Canadian state order and the second-highest honour for merit in the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, after the Order of Merit. To coincide with the ...
"for his contributions to jazz as a performer, composer, and producer, and for increasing access to music education in his community".


Other activities

Dwyer is a founding partner of Seawind Musical Instruments Inc., manufacturer of the Phil Dwyer Edition line of saxophones as well as other musical instruments and accessories. In 2014, Dwyer was admitted to the University of New Brunswick law school, graduated in 2017, and was called to the bar in British Columbia in 2018. Dwyer currently practices law in Qualicum Beach, B.C., running his own firm, Phil Dwyer Law. He was motivated to pursue a legal career due to his long-standing interests in a number of social justice, environmental, and political issues.


Discography


As leader or co-leader

* 1993 ''Fables and Dreams'', Dave Young-Phil Dwyer Quartet (Justin Time) * 2001 ''We Three'' with Dave Young, Michael Lambert (Toronto Sound) * 2005 ''Let Me Tell You About My Day'' with Alan Jones and Rodney Whitaker (Alma) * 2010 ''One Take: Volume 4'' with Vito Rezza, Joey DeFrancesco, Robi Botos (Alma) * 2011 ''Changing Seasons'' (Alma) * 2013 ''Look for the Silver Lining'' with Don Thompson (Triplet) * 2021 ''Audi Alteram Partem'' with Ben Dwyer, Mark Adam (Chronograph) With Bridge Quartet * 2008 ''Day'' * 2009 ''Night'' With Manteca * ''Later is Now!'' (Justin Time) * 1996 ''No Net'' With Don Thompson * 2006 ''Ask Me Later'' * 1991 ''Forgotten Memories'' (Roadhouse) * 2008 ''For Kenny Wheeler'' (Sackville) With Ian McDougall * 2007 No Passport Required (Ian McDougall Big Band) * 2012 "Live" (Ian McDougall 12-tet) With Alain Caron * 1993 ''Le Band'' * 1997 ''Play'' With
Rita Chiarelli Rita Chiarelli is a Canadian blues singer. She was called "the goddess of Canadian blues" by Shelagh Rogers at CBC Radio One. Biography Born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, Chiarelli began performing in Ronnie Hawkins' band in the early 1980s ...
* 1994 ''Just Gettin' Started'' (Stony Plain) * 2001 ''Breakfast at Midnight'' With Hugh Fraser * 1988 ''Looking Up'' (CBC) * 1989 ''Pas de Problems'' (CBC) With
Diana Panton Diana Panton is a Canadian jazz vocalist. She won a Juno Award for Children's Album of the Year in 2017 for ''I Believe in Little Things'' and a 2015 Juno award for Vocal Jazz Album for ''RED''. She has also received five JUNO nominations for he ...
* 2013 ''Red'' * 2017 ''Solstice/Equinox'' With others * 1995 ''
Temptation Temptation is a desire to engage in short-term urges for enjoyment that threatens long-term goals.Webb, J.R. (Sep 2014). Incorporating Spirituality into Psychology of temptation: Conceptualization, measurement, and clinical implications. Sp ...
'',
Holly Cole Holly Cole (born November 25, 1963) is a Canadian jazz singer and actress. For many years she performed with her group The Holly Cole Trio. Background Cole was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Her father, Leon Cole, was a noted radio broadcaster ...
(Capitol) * 1998 ''One 2 One'', Brian Hughes (Higher Octave) * 1999 '' In My Hands'',
Natalie MacMaster Natalie MacMaster (born June 13, 1972) is a Canadian fiddler from Troy, Inverness County, Nova Scotia who plays Cape Breton fiddle music. MacMaster has toured with the Chieftains, Faith Hill, Carlos Santana, and Alison Krauss, and has recorded ...
(Rounder) * 1999 ''This Is How Men Cry'',
Marc Jordan Marc or MARC may refer to: People * Marc (given name), people with the first name * Marc (surname), people with the family name Acronyms * MARC standards, a data format used for library cataloging, * MARC Train, a regional commuter rail system of ...
* 2001 '' Real Emotional Girl'',
Patricia O'Callaghan Patricia Mary O'Callaghan (born October 2, 1970) is a classically trained Canadian singer. She is a soprano who has built an international reputation as a performer of contemporary opera, early 20th-century cabaret music and the songs of Leonard Co ...
* 2001 ''Tell You How I Feel'',
Michael Kaeshammer Michael Kaeshammer (born 7 January 1977) is a Canadian jazz and boogie-woogie pianist. Early life and education Kaeshammer grew up in Offenburg, Germany, where he studied classical piano for seven years. At age thirteen, he became interested i ...
(Alma) * 2001 ''
Apartment Hunting ''Apartment Hunting'' is a 2000 Canadian romantic comedy film directed by Bill Robertson. Its soundtrack contains much of the recorded oeuvre of cult musician Mary Margaret O'Hara, who also appears in the film. Premise Ben Riddick (Andrew Tarbet ...
'',
Mary Margaret O'Hara Mary Margaret O'Hara is a Canadian singer-songwriter, actress and composer. She is best known for the album ''Miss America'', released in 1988. She released two albums and an EP under her own name, and remains active as a live performer, as a con ...
* 2005 ''One Take: Volume 2'' with Marc Rogers, Robi Botos, and Terri Lynne Carrington (Alma) * 2006 ''On a Whim: Songs of Ron Sexsmith'', John McDermott * 2007 ''From Sea to Sky'',
Laila Biali Laila Biali (born 3 October 1980) is a Canadian Vocal jazz, jazz singer and pianist. She has been nominated for and won a Juno Award and has worked with Chris Botti and Sting (musician), Sting. Career Born in Vancouver, Biali began playing pi ...
(CBC) * 2008 ''Lucky'',
Molly Johnson Margaret Leslie "Molly" Johnson, Order of Canada, OC is a Canadian Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter of pop and jazz. Biography Johnson began as a child performer, receiving formal training from the National Ballet School and the Banff Schoo ...
(Verve) Juno Awards-Molly Johnson
* 2009 ''Different Views'',
David Gogo David Gogo (born March 18, 1969), is a Canadian blues guitarist, singer-songwriter and bandleader who is currently signed to the independent Cordova Bay Records label. He was formerly signed to EMI Records. Between 1994 and 2014, he released 12 ...
* 2009 ''It's About Time'', Terry Clarke (Blue Music Group) *2018 Four On The Floor (ep), Four80East


References


External links


Official Phil Dwyer web site''Ottawa Citizen'' Interview
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dwyer, Phil 1965 births Musicians from British Columbia Canadian jazz pianists Canadian jazz saxophonists Male saxophonists Juno Award for Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year winners Living people Members of the Order of Canada Juno Award for Traditional Jazz Album of the Year winners 21st-century saxophonists Canadian male pianists 21st-century Canadian pianists 21st-century Canadian male musicians Canadian male jazz musicians