Jazz piano luminary JOHN SHERWOODis recognized by his audiences, his critics, and his peers as one of the top jazz pianists in Canada today. He performed with vibesmaster Peter Appleyard for years, and has also been featured live or on recordings with Moe Koffman, Guido Basso, Rob McConnell, Ed Bickert, Jake Hanna, Kenny Wheeler, Butch Miles, and countless other international stars, past and present.
By the time Sherwood reached high school he was studying at an A.R.C.T. (Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto) level. His father, accepting John’s fading interest in classical music, presented him with the challenge of playing jazz on the piano bringing home albums by Tete Montoliu and Clare Fischer, but it was his older brother who gave him the first Oscar Peterson recording in 1978, which would mark a whole new obsession for the music. Today he has his own distinctive sound, but the O.P. influence is unmistakable.
“I’ve merely scratched the surface on a few areas of Peterson’s work, but those few areas dominate my way of thinking about the piano. Always. Even when I’m not playing in that style. The classical background is essential in developing touch, tone and technique. In jazz, it’s the rhythm. Once you have that rhythmic concept, the rest falls into place.”
This evening’s all-star JOHN SHERWOOD QUARTETfeatures jazz masters ROY PATTERSON(guitar), SCOTT ALEXANDER(bass), and BRIAN BARLOW(drums), entertaining in the up-close-and-personal ambience of the Home Smith Bar.