Al Muirhead Quintet Live From Frankie's & The Yardbird

Al Muirhead Quintet

All vinyl copies include a digital download card!

Al Muirhead is considered by many in Calgary, Alberta and Western Canada as one of the veterans and pioneers of the region’s jazz scene. He has been performing professionally for 70 years, since he began with the Regina Symphony Orchestra at age twelve in 1947! Al’s expertise includes the trumpet,

All vinyl copies include a digital download card!

Al Muirhead is considered by many in Calgary, Alberta and Western Canada as one of the veterans and pioneers of the region’s jazz scene. He has been performing professionally for 70 years, since he began with the Regina Symphony Orchestra at age twelve in 1947! Al’s expertise includes the trumpet, flugelhorn and rare the bass trumpet. He grew up playing in the dance halls and in big bands with musicians like Tommy Banks, PJ Perry, and Mart Kenny.

In 2014, Al began his recording career at the age of 79 years old. Sure, he had been on a number of other musicians’ projects throughout the years, but didn’t yet have his own recordings. Producer and double bassist Kodi Hutchinson approached Al with the idea to capture his playing while he is still performing at a high level, and after some thought and discussion with his wife, Al decided to jump right in.

Since then, Al has released four albums so far, with his first and fourth nominated for JUNO Awards (a rare feat for a Calgarian jazz artist). He has recorded with Order of Canada recipients Tommy Banks, Guido Basso, Don Thompson, and other heavy weight jazz performers Laila Biali, Reg Schwager, Mike Murley, Kelly Jefferson and more.

The underlying theme for all this recorded music is the concept of legacy. After such a long career, it was time to capture Al’s playing and the music he loves to play. The method was to plan for some jazz standards ahead of the recording sessions, but also to allow for organic creation through in-the-moment decisions and improv. Some of his best tracks have been spontaneous, single takes!

This live recording project speaks to the concept of legacy. It captures the organic nature of live jazz that is spontaneous from one night to the next. It’s an in-the-moment recording that can’t be replicated and is very different than a produced, studio recording. A live recording captures the musical conversation that happens on stage – there is no option for overdubs or retakes. It’s a pure representation of the musicianship that Al and his band have brought to the Canadian cultural landscape for so many years.

Al Muirhead – Bass Trumpet / Trumpet Kelly Jefferson – Tenor Saxophone Neil Swainson – Double Bass Reg Schwager – Guitar Jesse Cahill – Drums Jim Head – Guitar Ted Warren – Drums

Read more…

It's About Time

Al Muirhead

In cart Not available Out of stock

2014 Release

A beloved musical director, sideman and performer for decades it's about time Al Muirhead takes center stage.

Celebrating the release of his debut solo album aptly named "It's About Time" on Chronograph Records, Al is joined by a star-studded backline including longtime friends and collaborators Tommy Banks (piano) and PJ Perry (sax),

2014 Release

A beloved musical director, sideman and performer for decades it's about time Al Muirhead takes center stage.

Celebrating the release of his debut solo album aptly named "It's About Time" on Chronograph Records, Al is joined by a star-studded backline including longtime friends and collaborators Tommy Banks (piano) and PJ Perry (sax), plus Tyler Hornby (drums) and Kodi Hutchinson (bass). Its just the latest highlight in a career that has spanned six decades.

Now 79 years old, Al has been so busy over the years as a Musical Director, band leader, arranger, teacher, and session musician, and so it's not surprising this is his first recording as a leader. "This album is something that's been a long time coming; something that needed to happen for him," says Hutchinson. "It's amazing to watch Al. For him, it's about the music. He grew up on the bandstand, and he plays better than guys half his age."

The album is a mix of full band, trio and duo tracks that let Muirhead unleash melodies that are at once incredibly inventive and utterly timeless. "It's About Time" is by any measure a crowning achievement, but with a full schedule of shows, festivals and touring, Al Muirhead isnt exactly resting on his laurels.

Read more…
0:00/???
  1. 1
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/3:44
  2. 2
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/5:10
  3. 3
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/6:05
  4. 4
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/2:55
  5. 5
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/3:26
  6. 6
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/5:06
  7. 7
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/4:53
  8. 8
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/5:13
  9. 9
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/1:55
  10. 10
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/7:18
  11. 11
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/2:11

Undertones

Al Muirhead

In cart Not available Out of stock

2016 JUNO-nominated trumpeter Al Muirhead is excited to present his most intriguing project to date; Undertones. Recorded in mid February 2018, the album features Muirhead on the rare bass trumpet with his new Canadian Quintet. The album highlights musicians he has admired over the years, including Canadian jazz heavyweights Kelly Jefferson (sax),

2016 JUNO-nominated trumpeter Al Muirhead is excited to present his most intriguing project to date; Undertones. Recorded in mid February 2018, the album features Muirhead on the rare bass trumpet with his new Canadian Quintet. The album highlights musicians he has admired over the years, including Canadian jazz heavyweights Kelly Jefferson (sax), Reg Schwager (guitar), Neil Swainson (bass) and Ted Warren (drums).

With a 70-year career in music, Muirhead is a true expert at what he does – and every time he steps on stage or into the studio, something special comes out of his horn. He is one of the few masters in the world on the rare bass trumpet, and Undertones showcases its mellow and deep tones.

The album is a collection of standards that he and his quintet selected in studio, along with two tribute pieces composed by Muirhead. “A Tune For Cal” is a post-bop celebration for his late and eldest brother, a magnificent musician and one of Canada’s finest copyists. “Take It To The Bank Tom” pays homage to his life-long friend and collaborator, Tommy Banks, who passed away weeks before this recording.

Read more…
0:00/???
  1. 1
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/4:10
  2. 2
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/6:35
  3. 3
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/5:21
  4. 4
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/5:51
  5. 5
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/4:26
  6. 6
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/5:19
  7. 7
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/5:10
  8. 8
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/4:06
  9. 9
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/4:25
  10. 10
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/3:13

Oop!

Al Muirhead

In cart Not available Out of stock

2016 Release

Al Muirhead's second album, "Oop!" is named after his long-time nickname (Alley Oop). The album follows on the Fall 2014 release of his debut album at 79 years old! Now at 80 years young, Al was joined in studio by two close friends and jazz legends in their own right, Order of Canada and JUNO Award winner Tommy Banks (piano) and JUNO

2016 Release

Al Muirhead's second album, "Oop!" is named after his long-time nickname (Alley Oop). The album follows on the Fall 2014 release of his debut album at 79 years old! Now at 80 years young, Al was joined in studio by two close friends and jazz legends in their own right, Order of Canada and JUNO Award winner Tommy Banks (piano) and JUNO Award winner PJ Perry (saxophone), to record this project of favourite jazz standards. There is a special musical connection on 'Oop!' that can only be found with three good friends who have over 60 years of experience playing together.

Read more…
0:00/???
  1. 1
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/3:40
  2. 2
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/2:56
  3. 3
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/5:42
  4. 4
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/3:59
  5. 5
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/4:05
  6. 6
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/4:41
  7. 7
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/5:46
  8. 8
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/2:58
  9. 9
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/5:24
  10. 10
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/4:08
  11. 11
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/2:20

Northern Adventures - The Canada Sessions Vol. 1

Al Muirhead

In cart Not available Out of stock

2017 Release

2016 JUNO-Nominated trumpeter Al Muirheads most ambitious project to date, Northern Adventures - The Canada Sessions Vol. 1 is a collection of standards pairing him with many of Canadas jazz greats!

A western Canadian jazz icon, Al recently came to wider prominence in North America with the release of his debut album Its About Time.

2017 Release

2016 JUNO-Nominated trumpeter Al Muirheads most ambitious project to date, Northern Adventures - The Canada Sessions Vol. 1 is a collection of standards pairing him with many of Canadas jazz greats!

A western Canadian jazz icon, Al recently came to wider prominence in North America with the release of his debut album Its About Time. Now at the age of 81 years old, Al is making up for lost time with his third release in just two years.

Featuring five different small ensembles of both old friends and new, Al harkens back to his youth, calling standards from the great American songbook live in the studio. Northern Adventures features jazz performed with spontaneity and joy, and with a command of the music that only players of the caliber of Al and his guests can.

Northern Adventures The Canada Sessions Vol. 1 brings together a veritable whos who of the Canadian jazz scene in five small groups. In order of appearance on the album performing with Al are award-winning musicians Don Thompson (piano/bass) and Reg Schwager (guitar), Guido Basso (trumpet/flugelhorn) and Tommy Banks (piano), Laila Biali (vocals), Ben Wittman (percussion) and Kodi Hutchinson (double bass), Mike Murley (saxophone) and Chris Andrew (piano), and finally Campbell Ryga (saxophone) and Mike Rud (guitar).

Read more…
0:00/???
  1. 1
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/3:32
  2. 2
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/5:41
  3. 3
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/3:44
  4. 4
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/4:18
  5. 5
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/6:30
  6. 6
    Emily 5:10
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/5:10
  7. 7
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/3:23
  8. 8
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/0:41
  9. 9
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/0:39
  10. 10
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/3:05
  11. 11
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/5:16
  12. 12
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/3:41