'Visions from the Farm': Karl Schwonik Quartet: Karl Schwonik - Drums, Chris Andrew - Piano, Kodi Hutchinson - Bass, Brent Mah - Sax.
'Chicago Goes West': Karl Schwonik - Drums, James Davis - Trumpet, Nicolas Bedard - Bass.
Influences
Dave Liebman, David Sanborn, Jack Walrath, Sonny Fortune, Jack DeJohnette, Peter Erskine, Brian Blade, Andrea Louise
Sounds Like
'We read, frequently if unknowingly, in quest of a mind more original than our own.' (H. Bloom)
"...one of Canada's youngest, hardest working and most creative musicians..."
- Calgary Jazz Association
"...one of Canada’s 3 up and coming drummers…”- Peter Hum – Ottawa Citizen
Blind drummer Karl Schwonik grew up in rural Alberta where he was exposed to countless musical situations ranging from polka music to jazz. Fresh out of high school, Schwonik embarked on a tour with 2-time Canadian Country Music Award Nominee Heather-Dawn. This was followed by an invitation to study at the Banff Centre where Schwonik was the youngest artist ever to be a part of the long-term career residency program.
2009 saw Schwonik embarking on his 4th cross-Canada tour as a leader. One of these performances was recorded by CBC Radio 2 as a part of a new series ‘NEXT: Canada’s Music Future’ and also for national broadcast on ‘Canada Live!’ Schwonik is also the 2009 winner of the VSA Arts International Young Soloist Award! The prize is a cash award and a performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. in April, 2009. Schwonik was named one of Calgary’s ‘Top 40 Under 40’ for 2009 by Avenue magazine. He is the youngest person ever to be named to the list.
Schwonik’s professional work and initiatives have been generously supported by: The Canada Council for the Arts, The Alberta Foundation for the Arts, the Anne Burrows Music Foundation, the Royal Bank of Canada and Downbeat Magazine. In addition to this support Schwonik: received the 2008 Queen’s Jubilee Award for Excellence in the Arts; received the Richard Cowie Scholarship for Young Jazz Musicians; performed at Carnegie Hall and The Kennedy Center; was named ‘Alternate Drumset’ for the Henry Mancini Institute; was a member of the highly acclaimed Jan Jarczyk Trio (Montreal) and Remi Bolduc Sextet (Montreal), and has received numerous scholarships to attend music workshops around North America.
Schwonik has recently become the president of the Wetaskiwin Jazz Society in Wetaskiwin, AB, and Artistic Director of the Wetaskiwin Jazz Camp. He is also the Director of the Calgary Jazz Festival’s C-Jazz Camp. In 2010, Schwonik will be releasing two CD’s on the Calgary’s Chronograph Records. Also in 2010, Schwonik’s new book ‘The Emerging Musician’ will be published.
Schwonik’s performing credits include: Dave Douglas, Chucho Valdes, Dave Liebman, Sonny Fortune, David Braid, Jens Lindemann, P.J. Perry, Tommy Banks, Hugh Fraser, Remi Bolduc and many others. In addition Schwonik has been featured in over 40 newspapers and magazines throughout North America.
Schwonik uses Yamaha drums and Hardware, Vic Firth sticks, Remo heads, and Paiste, Zildjian and Sabian cymbals.
Thanks man! I didn't even know you were there, you should have said hi! ;-) Come by this weekend again if you want, Greg Osby is the special guest and he's also giving a clinic at Upstairs on the saturday! Take care! -SamB
hey karl, i have some things to take care of before going to litchfield, so i may be up there early, but i'll definetly be there the 6th. how are things? can't wait to play...
yeah ill be there all 4 weeks. unfoturnatly i just bought some regal tip brushes 3 days ago. are you coming to the city before you go off to connecticut to make your half-yearly visit to drummers world? if so then let me know cause i have to get some stuff before i go off to camp as well!
hayyy man. thanks for sending us that beautiful wedding invitation. if we were going to be in town, we would *totally be there. it would be our honor to see you guys tie the knot :)
Hey KArl, just had a gig lasy night with Pascal and Dave Jachimiak and we were talkig about you for ome reaosn. Anways, hope ll is well in our neighbor to the north!
