Brian Dickinson has been a mainstay on the Canadian jazz scene for over thirty-five years. His skills as a jazz pianist, composer and arranger have been heard on well over sixty recordings including over ten of his own releases as leader.
As a sideman, Brian has performed and recorded with many of the greatest international players including: Jerry Bergonzi, Randy Brecker, Kenny Wheeler, John Abercrombie, Pat LaBarbera, Kirk MacDonald, Maria Schneider, Vince Mendoza, Dave Liebman, George Garzone, Donny McCaslin, Seamus Blake, Ron McClure, Bob Mintzer, Phil Nimmons, Rob McConnell, Mike Murley, Tom Harrell, Lee Konitz, the Woody Herman Band, Cab Calloway, Nick Brignola, Sonny Greenwich, Eddie Daniels, Don Thompson, Jane Bunnett, and Dewey Redman.
In July, 2015 Brian will be recording with a new group “The Rhythm Method”, comprised of Kelly Jefferson and Luis Deniz (saxophones), Neil Swainson (bass) and Ted Warren (drums). The original music from this session will be featured in a new publication also titled “The Rhythm Method”.
As well as touring Canada extensively, Brian has also toured the US, Europe and Asia.
Awards
- 2015 – Juno nomination (Best Jazz Album for Brian Dickinson Fishs Eddy)
- 2012 – Juno nomination (Best Jazz Album for Brian Dickinson Other Places)
- 1999 – Humber Alumnus of Distinction
- 1999 – The recipient of several Canada Council grants for study in the US
- 1996 – Prix de Jazz (Festival International de Jazz de Montreal)
- 1993 – Composer of the Year (The Jazz Report Award)
- 1991 – Juno Award (Best Jazz Album for Brian Dickinson In Transition)
- 1990 – Juno Award (Best Jazz Album for Mike Murley’s Two Sides)
Selected Discography
- 2014 – Fishs Eddy, Brian Dickinson Trio (Addo Records)
- 2012 – Other Places, Brian Dickinson Quartet featuring Jerry Bergonzi (Addo Records)
- 2010 – Around the Bend, Brian Dickinson and Ted Quinlan (Addo Records)
- 2005 – The Glenn Gould Sessions, Lee Konitz and Brian Dickinson (Philology)
- 2003 – Soul Mission, The Brian Dickinson Quartet, featuring Jerry Bergonzi (Elan Jazz)
- 1999 – Still Waters, Brian Dickinson and Kenny Wheeler (Hornblower Records)
- 1995 – Live At the Senator, Brian Dickinson Trio (Jazz Inspiration)
- 1993 – Brian Dickinson, trio recording (Jazz Inspiration)
- 1991 – In Transition, Brian Dickinson (Unity)
- 1987 – October 13th, Brian Dickinson Quintet (Unity)
Sideman performances on dozens of recordings, including:
Crossing the Line and The Power of Beauty with Pat LaBarbera; Symmetry, Family Suite, Reminiscence and New Beginnings with Kirk MacDonald; Gateway, Shapeshift, Quartetto, and For the Record with Kieran Overs; Two Sides, and Time and Tide with Mike Murley, The Coming of Angels, Inland Passages, and On a Cloud with Roy Patterson; The Art of Melody, with Roy Styffe, In Dew Time, with Jane Bunnett, Be Cool, with Carol McCartney.
Composition & Arranging
Many original compositions recorded as a leader as well as on CDs by Kieran Overs, Roy Patterson, and Roy Styffe.
Original big band arrangements for the Mike Malone Jazz Orchestra, the George Russell Living Time Big Band, as well as arrangements for various large and small ensembles at Humber College and the University of Toronto.
Many arrangements for performance and recording for Toronto vocalists Carol McCartney, Trudy Desmond, Adi Braun, and Rosanne Agasee among others.
Publishing
Brian is the author of The Ears Have Walls, published by Advance Music (2007); also, The Functional Keyboard Workbook published by Humber College (2002).
Solo transcriptions published in Dave Liebman’s A Chromatic Approach to Jazz Harmony and Melody (Advance Music)
Teaching Experience
Employed at Humber College since 1985
Head of Piano Dept. (2003 – present)
- Jazz Improvisation (intermediate and advanced)
- Master Classes
- Composition
- Theory
- Ensembles
- Private lessons
- Summer Jazz Workshop
- Community Music School
1992-2002 University of Toronto, Faculty of Music
- Jazz and Traditional Materials (2nd year level)
- Ear Training (2nd year level)
- Jazz Keyboard Skills
- Jazz Ensemble
- Jazz piano private lessons
2012 Guest lecturer/soloist at the Moscow International Music Forum
1998-2011 Kinkardine Summer Music
- Ensembles
- Master Classes
- Concerts
1996-97 National Music Camp
- Ensembles
- Master Classes
- Concerts
1985-88 Trebas Institute
- Theory
- Ear Training
- Music Coordinator
1995-present
Master Classes at: The Paris Conservatory (France), Eastman School of Music (Rochester, NY), Paekche Institute of the Arts (Seoul, Korea), McGill University, Carleton University, Grant MacEwan Community College, St. Francis Xavier University, York University, and Musicfest Canada, as well as many high school concerts and clinics.