Charles Mountford
Biography
CHARLES (CHARLIE) MOUNTFORD (pianist) was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The solid foundation for the successful musical career he has enjoyed over more than four decades on the Toronto jazz scene was strengthened by his completion of study at Oscar Peterson’s Advanced School of Contemporary Music in 1961 and 1962. Some time after graduation, the great Oscar Peterson wrote to him saying, “I have always remembered you and treasured that memory of you being my most dedicated and ambitious student at ASCM”.
Perhaps best-known as one of the most adept vocalist accompanists in the jazz world, Mountford has performed with scores of the best artists and bands in Canada, worked as a sideman with dozens of visiting jazz luminaries, has led several of his own ensembles, and toured throughout North America and internationally.
Charlie Mountford was the featured pianist with the (clarinetist) Bob DeAngelis Jazz Band when they performed during the “Sound of Toronto Jazz” Concert Series on December 20, 1986, and later, as leader of his own Charles Mountford Trio on November 20, 1989.