Don Thompson
Multi-talented, multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, producer and teacher, Don Thompson is one of the most beloved of Canadian jazz artists. He was born on Jan. 18, 1940 in Powell River, British Columbia, and began his professional career when he moved to Vancouver at the age of 20. Thompson moved to Toronto in 1969 and joined Rob McConnell’s Boss Brass.
He has worked with a virtual who’s who of jazz greats in Canada and the United States, including Maynard Ferguson, Ed Bickert, Moe Koffman, Paul Desmond, Zoot Sims, Clark Terry, Kenny Wheeler, Jim Hall, and George Shearing. While working with Shearing in a nightclub in 1983, Thompson suggested they record some piano-bass duo tracks in Shearing’s living room during the day, “just for fun.” The resulting recording was released thirty years later and is acclaimed as possibly Shearing’s greatest recording.
During a career that has spanned 60 years, Thompson has toured internationally, appeared on a wide variety of recordings, produced several others, and has been a major influence as artist, composer, and teacher. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada, winner of 8 Juno Awards, 3 National Jazz Awards, the Oscar Peterson Award from the Montreal Jazz Festival, and the SOCAN Hagood Hardy Award for composition. During the past several years he has especially enjoyed a musical partnership with singer Diana Panton, writing and arranging music for her, producing recordings, and touring. He continues to maintain an active touring career, as well as teaching piano and composition privately. We are honoured to present Don Thompson with the 2020 Canadian Jazz Master Award for Artistic Excellence.
Jerry Fuller
The late Jerry Fuller is heralded as one of the finest drummers in jazz. He was born into a musical family (his father was a saxophonist) in Calgary, Alberta on April 5, 1939. Fuller began drum lessons at the age of seven, and by the time he was in his late teens attending university, his summers were spent playing in bands at summer resorts. It wasn’t long before he garnered the attention of big band leaders Ron Collier and Rob McConnell, as well as many international jazz greats who called on him when they were touring in Canada.
Fuller played regularly with musicians such as Zoot Sims, Paul Desmond, Moe Koffman, Peter Appleyard, Ed Bickert, and Don Thompson, among others. He also recorded, and occasionally toured, with the OPIJF namesake, Oscar Peterson. He can be heard on An Oscar Peterson Christmas (Telarc), as well as recordings with Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass, Peter Appleyard, Ed Bickert, Paul Desmond, and more.
Jerry Fuller is widely admired by all who knew him. He spent his life devoted to playing, composing and loving jazz music. He shared his knowledge, skill and especially his love of the music with many young artists, teaching them about harmony and rhythm, spreading his passion. Jerry Fuller passed away in his sleep on July 13, 2002, at the age of 63. He and 2020 Canadian Jazz Master Don Thompson were especially close collaborators and dear friends. It’s a joy to celebrate them both during the same year. We are proud to present the 2020 Canadian Jazz Master Award to Jerry Fuller’s daughter, Michelle Fuller.