ian sinclair : musician
Currently, Ian is a Toronto-based pianist and composer with a primary focus in jazz and related creative music. His current Toronto-based acoustic quartet includes three of the city's most respected jazz musicians, all of whom have appeared with their own award-winning groups - the most recent version of the group includes acclaimed musicians Allison Au, Nick Fraser, and Mark Godfrey. With a "Creation Grant" awarded by the Toronto Arts Council, Ian composed new works for this group. After receiving an "Artist Development" grant awarded by FACTOR, Ian recorded these and other compositions and the album, Know the Reflection, was officially released at a performance event in 2018 at The Rex in Toronto.
Ian continues to perform at many of the city's best-known jazz venues as well as at Canadian international jazz festivals. High-profile engagements as leader have included opening for Grammy-winning singer Cécile McLorin-Salvant at the 2015 SaskTel International Jazz Festival as part of the Nissen-Sinclair Quartet. In addition, another of his projects, an electronic trio he has led called A Series of Tubes, completed a tour of the Canadian prairies. In addition, Ian has performed with many other award-winning veteran Canadian musicians including Dave Young, Terry Promane, Mike Murley, Kelly Jefferson, Brad Turner, Hugh Fraser, Christine Jensen, and Ingrid Jensen.
Ian has also had other wide-ranging experience as a professional freelance pianist/keyboardist. As a solo artist and ensemble member, he has played everything from classic to contemporary popular music in a host of genres - musical theatre, dance pop, R&B, hip-hop, country, rock, and more. He has played numerous engagements including not only weddings and private parties, but also special events for high-profile clients including the executives of the Microsoft Corporation, the President of the University of Toronto, and His Royal Highness, King Charles.
Ian completed the Doctorate of Musical Arts in Performance (with jazz emphasis) program at the University of Toronto and a Masters in Music (Jazz Studies) at the University of North Texas. While at the University of North Texas, he was selected to play with the award-winning 2 O'Clock Lab Band and was part of a group that was co-winner of a prestigious national award - a Down Beat Student Award for Outstanding College Jazz Small Group. He also has a Bachelor's of Music and Bachelor's of Education from the University of Saskatchewan where he received lessons in classical piano.
"A Kind of Portrait"
Original Composition featuring Mike Murley
"Mellifluous Meditation"
Original Composition with A Series of Tubes
Performing original composition on Debut EP release with electronic trio A Series of Tubes
Performing classic standard live with acoustic trio
Performing original composition in Doctoral Recital with vocalist Alex Samaras
Composer - television commercial soundtrack
65th Yorkton Film Festival