Home » Member Page
James McGowan
James McGowan is a pianist (jazz and classical), improviser, composer, music theorist, and educator at Carleton University in Ottawa Canada.
About Me
James McGowan (PhD Eastman) is an Associate Professor of Music at Carleton
University, where he teaches music theory and composition. He is a passionate
educator and was won several teaching awards, including the Carleton University
Chair in Teaching Innovation (2020–23). He is Managing Director of the Carleton
Jazz Camp, an instructor at CAMMAC in improvisation, piano, and musical fusions,
and serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Lotus Centre for Special
Music Education in Ottawa. He is a published author of articles on jazz theory and
music theory pedagogy.
Embracing multiple styles of music, Dr. McGowan is a solo and collaborative
pianist, at home in jazz, classical, and improvised musics. As a pianist, he performs
regularly at Brookstreet Options Jazz Lounge and elsewhere in Ottawa. The 14-
member James McGowan Ensemble releases its jazz-classical fusion album
Reaching In in June 2023 featuring his compositions and poetry, which was
supported in part by a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. In recent years,
he has released four other albums as leader or co-leader, including the critically
acclaimed album 4K, feature his work as composer, pianist, and leader of the
quartet Modasaurus. “Canadian quartet Modasaurus displays expert musicianship
in a session firmly rooted in contemporary jazz fusion. Modasaurus is a quartet of
extremely skilled musicians who combine styles expertly and turn 4K into a great
success” (Elliot Marlow-Stevens, Jazz Journal (UK), March 24, 2021). More info at
www.JamesMcGowan.ca
