Michael Farquharson (bassist, pianist/keyboard player, composer, producer, engineer) was born on October 22, 1955 in Toronto, Ontario. He attended Humber College in Toronto from 1974 to 1978, where he was a member of the renowned Humber College “A” band, performing across Canada, the Montreux Jazz Festival, and throughout Europe.  He then received his Masters in Music from the prestigious New Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA with Distinction in Performance, where he studied with Dave Holland, Jimmy Giuffre, Bob Moses, and contemporary composer Robert DeDominico. 

Farquharson’s jazz career has had him playing with the majority of Canadian Jazz Artists ranging from Guido Basso, Rob McConnell, Ed Bickert, Lorne Lofsky, Don Thompson, Steve McDade, Vern Dorge, Eugene Amaro, Brian Dickinson, Vito Rezza, and countless others.  He also performed with visiting artists ranging from Mel Torme to Michael Brecker to Scott Hamilton and toured with bands such as the Brian Auger band. 

His career throughout the 1970’s to the late 1990’s was very diverse and he was a mainstay in the recording studios of Toronto during that time performing on countless jingles, over 100 albums, and numerous other projects.

Apart from his commercial writing/production/engineering, Farquharson has written, engineered, and produced 5 solo albums, one of which, the self titled album “Michael Farquharson” on the MCA/Jazz Inspiration label, was nominated for a Juno award in 1993 as Best Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year.  He also recorded another album, “The Arrival” for the Jazz Inspiration label. He has recorded two albums, “Silent Picture” and “Della by Moonlight” in collaboration with good friend and colleague, Matthew Nicholl.; both which have met with extraordinary critical acclaim.  They started recording their 3^rd collaborative album together starting December, 2012.  Additionally, Michael recorded another album in collaboration with Ben Schwendener, “Picture Time” which featured compositions using the Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization.

In 1996 he took the position of Professor, Contemporary Writing and Production at the world famous Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA; a position he currently holds today.  In this position, he travels around the entire globe, performing with musicians ranging from Kenwood Dennard, Mick Goodrick, Tiger Okoshi, and Danilo Perez. 

His engineering/production work have also been an important part of his career and have included albums for Lorne Lofsky, Joey Goldstein, Wayne Naus, Greg Hopkins, the CEC ensemble, Tim Miller, and numerous others.  He is also very active in the commercial music world in this capacity as well.

Awards:

1979 - JUNO Nomination for  Best Jazz Album, Humber College “A” Band, On the way to Montreux
1993 - JUNO Nomination for  Best Contemporary Jazz Album, for album “Michael Farquharson”1997 - Canada Council Arts Award