Andrew Boniwell

Member Since: 2012 | Location: Toronto | Page Views: 1,269

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About Me

Canadian jazz pianist Andrew Boniwell combines impassioned melodicism with artful writing to bring listeners an enriched, accessible, contemporary sound.

Andrew has been a pianist on the Toronto jazz scene since 1980. A frequent participant in the Downtown Toronto Jazz Festival he has also appeared at the Distillery Jazz Festival, JVC Jazz Festival, Guelph Jazz Festival and the Barrie Jazz Festival. Andrew has performed with the Juno award-winning contemporary jazz orchestra NOJO, and plays with many of Toronto's finest jazz musicians including Richard Underhill (JUNO winner 2003), Mike Murley (multiple JUNO winner), Kevin Turcotte, Michael Occhipinti (NOJO), Barry Romberg and Quinsin Nachoff (now based in NYC). Andrew's passion project has the been The Uncertainty Principle, a quintet playing the leader's compositions in a variety of styles some of which feature Andrew performing spoken word. The Uncertainty Principle covers a lot of musical terrain, from straight ahead swingers to Latin, rock, funky grooves to free improvisation to spoken word. His latest recording a 3 track EP entitled spoken.word.period. was released to streaming platforms in May 2026. Andrew’s spoken word is socially relevant, hip and poetic. This is Andrew’s 4th recording. The Uncertainty Principle Live at The Rex Andrew’s prior recording was released in October 2018. This recording as well as the EP spoken.word.period. features the same musicians all from Toronto, Canada Andrew Boniwell (compositions, piano, keys, spoken word) Richard Underhill (alto saxophone) Kevin Turcotte (trumpet) Artie Roth (bass) Mike McClelland (drums). From Whole Note magazine reviewing The Uncertainty Principle Live at The Rex; “Boniwell…has once again established himself as one of the most creative, non- Euclidean, improvisational jazz musicians on the scene today” His 2nd release but first as The Uncertainty Principle was ‘Boomerang’. A review from veteran Canadian saxophonist Jim Galloway observed ; “The compositions are inventive and the musicians all bring a cohesive and creative energy to the music... (a) good example of the fine talents right here on our own doorstep”. Andrew’s first CD, StopStart also on Soundcolour Records (1999), features The Andrew Boniwell Quartet playing Boniwell's compositions. Reviewers found the quartet’s exploration of texture, dynamics and harmony “innovative” (Ottawa Citizen) and “adventurous” (Toronto Star) while the quartet's playing was described as “letting the music flow out of their veins” (Coda Magazine).