Oliver Jones is among the iconic artists to be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2023.
The veteran jazz pianist will join Diane Dufresne, Terri Clark and Trooper in being honoured for their contributions to Canada’s music history in a ceremony in Calgary on May 18.
The spring ceremony follows Nickelback’s induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame during the Juno Awards ceremony Monday night.
“Canada is home to so many talented artists, belonging to an array of genres and from all corners of the country,” said Allan Reid, president and CEO of the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) and MusiCounts. “At CARAS, we strive to support artists at every stage of their career. The Canadian Music Hall of Fame is our moment to spotlight those who have contributed to our music legacy.”
Born in Montreal, Jones made his debut as a young pianist in the 1930s when he was just five years old. Since then, the world-renowned jazz musician and 11-time Juno Award nominee has celebrated many accolades during his 77-year career. With 25 albums to his name, Jones has toured the world playing for audiences across the United States, Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland, Japan, China and Africa.
CARAS notes that Jones “leaves a legacy as someone who has paved the way for the Black music community in Canada.” Jones was also an educator at both Laurentian and McGill Universities through the late ’80s and ’90s. He was honoured with an official stamp as part of Canada Post’s tribute to Black history in 2013.
Jones is a member of the Order of Canada and the Order of Québec and has received the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award, the Martin Luther King Jr. Award, the Oscar Peterson Award, the SOCAN Special Lifetime Award, multiple Félix Awards and two Juno Awards. Jones retired in 2016.
The Canadian Music Hall of Fame was established by CARAS in 1978. Jones, Dufresne, Clark and Trooper will join the ranks of Canada’s most esteemed talent including Alanis Morissette, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Barenaked Ladies, Deborah Cox, Jann Arden, Joni Mitchell, k.d. lang, Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, Oscar Peterson, RUSH, The Guess Who, The Tragically Hip, Sarah McLachlan and Shania Twain.