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Grant Simpson

About Me

The dynamism and exhilaration that defines solo jazz piano began with the great stride piano masters of the 20s and 30s. These innovators, such as Thomas 'Fats' Waller, James P. Johnson and Willie “The Lion” Smith, pioneered a style and shaped an era that was, and continues to be, the most comprehensive and joyful jazz piano style in history . . . the style known as Stride Piano.

As a teenager, I heard a recording of “Fats” Waller and was immediately captivated and inspired. I enrolled in traditional music lessons and amidst a conventional study of the classics, began “picking out” sections of the Fats Waller and James P Johnson recordings by ear.

My initial excitement and enthusiasm for the stride style has flourished and grown more with every passing year.

During the past 25 years as a professional pianist, I have performed in hundreds venues throughout the world including Korea, throughout the Caribbean, United States and Canada, appearing as a featured artist at many concerts and festivals including The Vancouver Dixieland Festival, Hermann's Jazz Club, on the MS Oosterdam, Montreal's Queen Elizabeth Hotel and many more. I was a featured artist on CBC's famed Jazz Program “Hot Air” with my favorite musician “Alan Matheson”. We hope to record a duo CD soon.

I perform as a soloist, in various duos and trios or in my traditional jazz band “New Orleans North” featuring: Amanda Leslie, Lloyd Arntzen, Alan Matheson, Craig Scott and Grant Simpson.

For more information on any of these groups, please look us up on the web.