Pianist John Roney is one of the most active and visible artists on the Canadian music scene. His versatility as a jazz pianist, classical pianist and composer is unrivalled, demonstrating a mastery of an astonishingly vast range of artistic abilities and sensibilities. Obtaining his baccalaureate in jazz piano, classical piano, and composition from University of Toronto in 2000, he went on to complete his Master’s degree at McGill University in jazz performance. Since settling in Montreal, he has captured the attention of the local jazz scene, and performs frequently with local and international artists.
His musical collaborations with Chet Doxas, Remi Bolduc, Effendi JazzLab, Bernard Primeau and Jean Christophe Beney have led to various tours throughout Canada, Europe, and the Middle East, and numerous recordings for CBC RadioCanada, Global Television, JustinTime Records, Effendi Records, and Swingin’Time Productions, and at performances throughout Canada and Euroupe. His work with classical soprano Natalie Choquette has led to performances all around the world including Canada, Japan, China, Europe, and western Africa.
Further from home, John has performed and/or recorded with legendary international artists such as 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.
As a composer, John has scored music for orchestra and chamber ensembles in Ontario and Quebec, and writes music for radio, films, television, and theatrical productions, including transcriptions and arrangements for “The Triplettes of Belleville” (music by Benoit Charest), “Houdini” (music by Elan Kunin) and various productions for soprano Natalie Choquette. In February 2006, his chamber music for strings was featured by the Silverbirch String Quartet in Sudbury, Ontario, and has been recorded for a commercial release.
Since 1999, John has been seen hosting the jam sessions at the Toronto Downtown DuMaurier Jazz Festival and jam sessions at the 27th Montreal International Jazz Festival since 2006. In September of 2005, he was chosen to host the 10th anniversary of the Upstairs Jazz Club in Montreal, where he led his trio in a week’s performances featuring special guest artists such as Oliver Jones, Charles Ellison and the legendary vocalist Sheila Jordan.
In 1996 John was awarded the Yamaha Canada “Rising Star Award” (jazz), and received a bursary from the C. Lloyd Dobson Foundation for excellence in piano (classical). In 1999, he claimed first prize at the Markham Jazz Festival’s “Jazz Stars of the Future” competition, and a year later was awarded both the first prize and audience choice award at the Brampton Performing Arts Showcase for his performance (classical). In 2003, he was nominated for the Grand Prix du Jazz at the Montreal Jazz Festival, and was a finalist at the McGill/UofM piano concerto competition. In 2006, Roney represented Canada at the Martial Solal International Piano competition in Paris, France.
He is currently on faculty at McGill University and at CEGEP Marie Victorin in Montreal, and has served on the faculty at SUNY Potsdam in New York.
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Originaire de Toronto, le pianiste John Roney vit maintenant à Montréal où il partage un horaire très occupé entre une carrière d'interprète et d'enseignant. Après avoir complété son baccalauréat à l'Université de Toronto en piano jazz, piano classique ainsi qu'en composition, il a déménagé à Montréal pour y compléter sa maîtrise en piano Jazz à l'Université MC Gill. Depuis son arrivée à Montréal, John a eu l'opportunité de jouer avec plusieurs grands noms de la scène du jazz. Parmi eux, on retrouve « The Remi Bolduc Quartet », « The Chet Doxas Quartet » ,
« The Dawn Tyler Watson Blues Project » et le « Bernard Primeau Montreal Jazz Ensemble ».
John a enregistré deux albums avec son propre Trio « The John Roney Trio ».
Également, il a fait plusieurs autres enregistrements avec Michel Donato, Jean-Christophe Beney, Remi Bolduc, Chet Doxas, l'Université de Toronto ainsi que le Big Band de l'Université Mc Gill. Depuis 1999, il est l'un des musiciens du « groupe maison » au fameux Jam Session du « Festival de Jazz du Maurier» de Toronto.
Lors de la 26e édition du «Festival International de Jazz de Montréal», John a été l'hôte du couru Jam Session du Hyatt Regency avec son trio. Il a aussi performé lors de la première partie du célèbre saxophoniste Wayne Shorter avec le «Chet Doxas Quartet» .
En tant qu'enseignant, John est très polyvalent, car en plus de donner des leçons de piano jazz à son studio privé, il travaille au département de musique du Cégep Marie-Victorin et à la faculté de musique de l'Université MC Gill de Montréal. Il a aussi enseigné à SUNY, une université américaine située dans la ville de Potsdam (New York). En ce qui à trait à la composition, il a écrit pour «l'Orchestre et l'Ensemble de musique contemporaine» de l'Université de Toronto. De plus, il a composé de la musique pour plusieurs projets de radio et pour différentes productions théâtrales, incluant les transcriptions pour le spectacle : «Les Triplettes de Belleville» (musique de Benoit Charest). John Roney semble maintenir un parfait équilibre entre la composition, l'enseignement et la vie d'un pianiste très actif sur la scène du Jazz.
JOHN !!! we need to talk !!! Indeed your life is black and white cuz of those piano keys...but pleeeeease put some color on here !!!! LOL ( and dont do grey like Rich !!! ) PS...great music :)
heya roney! long time no see/speak. how's tricks? are you dressing up as a piano for halloween? hee hee... i trust you are keeping busy and hope all is well at your neck of the woods.. i am keeping super busy working and with the conservatory learning how to count and clap. fun! me likey! so happy to finally learn shorthand for dictation! yay! ed note: nerd. i will report to headquarters one day soon for a lesson update with you and some laughs shawnuff. miss you lots duder! xox;) m.
Thanks for the add John, i have to teach how to build a decent myspace dude, no comments....laugh......but still, at least you got a space, only need some pics and color......
thanks for the add. great sample, who is that?! you inspire me deeply. seeing you playing the jam with Remi-Jean, and then Rick was amazing. I hope one day I will be able to have the pleasure of accompanying such a musician on the piano as yourself. Take care. Mike De Masi
