Biography
Ted Blackbourn
Ted Blackbourn
Ted is a graduate of the music programs at Humber College (1978) and York University (1982) where he studied composition and arranging with (among others) Ron Collier, Al Michalek, Tony Mergel, James Tenney, and David Mott. After completing his Bachelor of Education Degree at the University of Toronto, Ted taught high school for 29 years before retiring in 2012. Since then he has concentrated on writing for jazz ensembles with a focus on big band composition and arranging. Ted continues to work on new music from his home on the south shore of Nova Scotia.
The Ted Blackbourn Big Band Project
Formed in 2014, this 17-piece band performs the compositions and arrangements of Ted Blackbourn and features accomplished jazz musicians from Toronto, Brampton, Guelph, Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge. This exciting ensemble combines seasoned professionals with younger players out of post-secondary jazz programs to create a tight, well-balanced sound. The band has released three studio CDs: Kinetic (2014), Arrival (2016), and In the Tradition (2018). Arrival was chosen by Glen Woodcock (Jazz FM91) as one of his favorite new releases of 2016.
Ted is a graduate of the music programs at Humber College (1978) and York University (1982) where he studied composition and arranging with (among others) Ron Collier, Al Michalek, Tony Mergel, James Tenney, and David Mott. After completing his Bachelor of Education Degree at the University of Toronto, Ted taught high school for 29 years before retiring in 2012. Since then he has concentrated on writing for jazz ensembles with a focus on big band composition and arranging. Ted continues to work on new music from his home on the south shore of Nova Scotia.
The Ted Blackbourn Big Band Project
Formed in 2014, this 17-piece band performs the compositions and arrangements of Ted Blackbourn and features accomplished jazz musicians from Toronto, Brampton, Guelph, Kitchener, Waterloo, and Cambridge. This exciting ensemble combines seasoned professionals with younger players out of post-secondary jazz programs to create a tight, well-balanced sound. The band has released three studio CDs: Kinetic (2014), Arrival (2016), and In the Tradition (2018). Arrival was chosen by Glen Woodcock (Jazz FM91) as one of his favorite new releases of 2016.