The Tide Turns blossoms from Grand Prix de Jazz prize
Musician Brad Cheeseman has turned his Grand Prix de Jazz award into a prize for his fans.
Cheeseman is set to release his new CD, “The Tide Turns,” Sept. 22. It includes nine tracks, eight of which are new contemporary jazz compositions from the Ancaster bassist/composer.
Joining Cheeseman on his second full-length album are frequent collaborators Robert Chapman on guitar, pianist Sam Kogen, Marito Marques on drums, and Juno Award-winning saxophonist Kelly Jefferson.
“Going in (to the 2016 Montreal Jazz Festival), I never expected that we would have been chosen over the great talent that we were up against, but it was an honour — and a surprise — to receive it,” said Cheeseman.
“That recognition alone is enough to be proud of, but being able to use the award to record this new music with some of my favourite musicians, and to share it with listeners everywhere — that’s the real prize.”
The Grand Prix de Jazz award included a week of studio time and a $5,000 grant from festival presenter TD Canada Trust.
A graduate of Ancaster High and Mohawk College, Cheeseman’s interest in music began when he was six years old. He started out playing piano, switched to guitar in high school, and then moved to bass about 13 years ago.
He won Instrumental Recording of the Year at the Hamilton Music Awards in 2013 and 2016, and has twice been nominated for Best Jazz Instrumental at the Toronto Independent Music Awards. In July 2015, the Brad Cheeseman Group launched its first album and earned five nominations at the Hamilton Music Awards.
Cheeseman is celebrating the release of “The Tide Turns” with a tour of Ontario and Quebec. Performances will feature material from the new album, as well as fan favourites from previous releases. CDs will be available at the performances or can be obtained digitally through Bandcamp and iTunes.
His CD release is Sept. 22 at the Artword Artbar, 150 Colbourne St., at 8 p.m. Admission is $10. For tour dates, visit bradcheeseman.com.