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"Chris Donnelly is a pianist of unbridled talent, sublime technique and an impulse to adorn the sound of music. As an artist he appears to believe that the art of the solo piano is his true calling. Although he has played live in a number of settings - performing with a wide group of busy, elder performing statesmen on Canada's jazz scenes - he has managed to stay focused on his holy grail: solo piano."
Raul d'Gama Rose 'All About Jazz'
Chris Donnelly represents a new generation of jazz pianists, composers and improvisers dedicated to creating programs that are engaging, entertaining and educating. He is continually praised for his virtuosic performances, musicality, versatility and ability to captivate audiences. His Juno-nominated debut album ‘Solo' featuring a blend of original material and arrangements of jazz standards earned him nominations for ‘Best Recording of the Year' and ‘Best Keyboardist of the Year' from the 2009 National Jazz Awards. Other recent highlights include performances throughout Canada and in various Toronto concert halls including CBC's Glenn Gould Studio, Roy Thomson Hall, MacMillan Theatre, Walter Hall and the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre in the new Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. In April 2007, Chris performed at the Florida Theatre in Jacksonville Florida where he received 2nd place as part of the Great American Jazz Piano Competition. More recently, he performed in Nottingham, England, where he was selected as one of four finalists in the 2008 Nottingham National Jazz Piano Competition.
Donnelly holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the University of Toronto where, upon completing his Masters of Music in Jazz Performance, he was awarded The Tecumseh Sherman Rogers Graduating Award for students "deemed to have the greatest potential to make an important contribution to the field of music." Chris is a professor at the University of Toronto and has previously worked as a faculty member at the Humber College Community Music School, Prairielands Jazz Camp and the National Music Camp of Canada. He is married to opera singer Natalie Donnelly and is familiar with Leith and the Owen Sound area as his grandparents and many relatives reside in the area.
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