John Roney
Biography
John Roney (pianist) obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in jazz piano, classical piano, and composition from the University of Toronto in 2000. He relocated to Montreal in 2001 to complete his Masters Degree at McGill University, but returned to Toronto to lead his John Roney Trio (with Artie Roth on bass and Kevin Coady on drums) in a “Sound of Toronto Jazz” Concert at the Ontario Science Centre on March 4, 2002.
Since settling in Montreal, he has performed frequently with local and international artists the local jazz scene. His musical collaborations with Chet Doxas, Remi Bolduc, Effendi JazzLab, Bernard Primeau, and Jean Christophe Beney have led to tours throughout Canada, Europe, and The Middle East, and several recordings for CBC/Radio Canada, Global Television, JustinTime Records, Effendi Records, and Swingin’ Time Productions, as well as live performances across Canada and Europe.
His work with classical soprano Natalie Choquette has comprised performances all over the world including Canada, Japan, China, Europe, and Western Africa. Roney has performed and/or recorded with legendary international artists including drummers Peter Erskine and Steve Houghton; bassists Christian McBride and Alain Caron; composers Johnny Mandel, Gary Kulesha, and Alf Clausen; Belgian guitarist Phillipe Catherine; and saxophonists Seamus Blake, Nick Brignola, Francois Theberge, Michael Blake, Jerry Bergonzi, and Donny McCaslin.
In 1999, he began hosting the late-night jam sessions at the du Maurier Downtown Jazz Festival in Toronto, and has led jam sessions at the Montreal International Jazz Festival since 2006. In September of 2005, he was chosen to host the week-long 10th anniversary celebration at the Upstairs Jazz Club in Montreal, leading his trio in performances featuring special guest artists including Oliver Jones, Charles Ellison, and vocalist Sheila Jordan.
In 2010, John released "Silverbirch," which featured his piano with the Silverbirch String Quartet. The recording was nominated for JUNO that year.
Roney has served on the faculty at SUNY Potsdam in New York, and is currently a member of the faculty at both McGill University and CEGEP Marie Victorin in Montreal.
Awards:
1996 – Awarded the Yamaha Canada ‘Rising Star (jazz) Award’
1996 – Received a bursary from the C. Lloyd Dobson Foundation for ‘excellence in classical piano’
1999 – First prize winner in the Markham (Ontario) Jazz Festival’s “Jazz Stars of the Future” Competition
2000 – First prize winner and ‘Audience Choice Award’ recipient for classical performance at the Brampton (Ontario) Performing Arts Showcase
2003 – Nominated for the Grand Prix du Jazz at the Montreal Jazz Festival
2003 – Finalist McGill/University of Montreal Piano Concerto Competition
2006 – Represented Canada at the Martial Solal International Piano Competition in Paris, France
2010 –JUNO nomination for 'Contemporary Jazz Album' for "Silverbirch"
