jazz.fm91 is pleased to announce Michael Arthurs as the new musical director of the jazz.fm91 Youth Big Band.
Dr. Arthurs joins us with more than 25 years of experience as a composer, arranger, music teacher, freelance musician, and recording artist both in Toronto and internationally.
Born and raised in Toronto, Dr. Arthurs earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in composition (jazz emphasis) from the University of Texas at Austin. He has studied the saxophone and jazz improvisation with artists such as Pat LaBarbera, George Coleman, Bill Evans, James Moody and Joe Lovano. Dr. Arthurs has served as assistant professor of saxophone at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N.S., and as a lecturer of saxophone techniques at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ont. He has served as musical director for the Louisville Metro Big-Band, the University of Louisville’s Jazz Lab II, and Archie Alleyne’s The Evolution of Jazz Ensemble.
Dr. Arthurs has written extensively for both professional and university ensembles. He has performed in many other big-band ensembles including Marcus Roberts and the Modern Jazz Generation, receiving direction from notable conductors such as Rufus Reid, John LaBarbera and Slide Hampton.
“We are excited to add Michael to our team,” said Jelani Watson, education and outreach officer at jazz.fm91. “His passion for education, outreach and connection is inspiring. Add to that his mountains of experience, and he is bound to bring forth yet another top-notch jazz.fm91 Youth Big Band.”