William Carn
Biography
WILLIAM CARN (trombonist) was born on May 11, 1969 in San Jose, Costa Rica. A long-time Canadian citizen, the heralded young trombonist, while still in his 30s, has emerged as one of Canada's leading contemporary jazz artists. 2008 marked the fifth consecutive time Carn was nominated in the National Jazz Awards’ 'Trombonist of the Year' Category, and the William Carn Quintet's debut recording, Other Stories, was nominated for a JUNO in 2007.
Carn has performed and recorded with many of the leading names, ensembles, and orchestras in jazz, theatre, broadcast, and classical music, while continuing to maintain parallel careers as a prolific composer and music educator whom Toronto Star Jazz Critic Geoff Chapman called 'a charter member of the impressive new generation of players that is making an impact'. He has performed and recorded with jazz greats including Rob McConnell, Randy Brecker, David Binney, Kenny Wheeler, Barry Harris, Jane Bunnett, Kevin Mahogany, Mike Murley, Hilario Duran, Andrew Downing, Bernie Senensky, Don Thompson, and Phil Dwyer.
Carn also enjoys a diverse freelance career in Toronto having worked with classical ensembles such as the Niagara Brass Quintet, for musicals including The Producers, Frank: A Life in Song and Grease, and studio and concert engagements for jazz and variety artists including Dionne Taylor, Sophie Millman, Jeff Healy, Colin James, Peabo Bryson, Bob Newhart, Sheena Easton, Christopher Cross, Frankie Valli, Joan Rivers, and Don Rickles. He is currently a member of several ensembles including the the Hilario Duran Big Band, the Kieran Overs Dectet, the Bernie Senensky Septet, the Andy Ballantyne Large Ensemble (ABLE), the Paul Read Orchestra (PRO), the Art of Jazz Orchestra, the Heillig Manoeuvre, the Vern Dorge Sextet, the Urban Arts Brass Ensemble, and the Laura Hubert Band.
As a clinician and teacher, Williams Carn has taught throughout Canada at distinguished institutions including the University of Toronto, Capilano College, Grant MacEwan College, Mohawk College, and for the Toronto, York, and Etobicoke Boards of Education. He is a Yamaha artist and respected touring clinician, and currently teaches on the faculties of both the University of Toronto and Humber College.
Carn co-leads the Carn Davidson 9 with alto saxophonist Tara Davidson. The group released their debut recording Nine in the Fall of 2012 on Addo Records.
Awards:
2004 - National Jazz Awards nominee as 'Trombonist of the Year'
2005 - National Jazz Awards nominee as 'Trombonist of the Year'
2006 - National Jazz Awards nominee as 'Trombonist of the Year'
2007 - National Jazz Awards nominee as 'Trombonist of the Year'
2007 - JUNO nomination for 'Traditional Jazz Album of the Year' for Other Stories
2008 - National Jazz Awards nominee as 'Trombonist of the Year'
2014 - JUNO nomniation for 'Traditional Jazz Album' for Nine