jazz.fm91 is delighted to announce that Will Bentley is the 2025 recipient of the Peter Appleyard Scholarship.
This annual scholarship honours the legacy of vibraphonist Peter Appleyard and his incredible contribution to Canadian music by providing a current undergraduate jazz student with a scholarship for use toward their tuition. Eligible schools include Humber College, the University of Toronto, York University and Mohawk College.
Appleyard was a true giant of Canadian jazz whose commitment to music education and growing the talent of the next generation of Canadian jazz musicians endures to the present day.
Will Bentley is a student in the Jazz Performance program at University of Toronto. He is a drummer major who has been studying with Ethan Ardelli and Nick Fraser, developing his sound, time feel, groove, technique, musicianship and overall voice.
“Peter Appleyard has been an inspiring and relatable figure in my life, his story is surprisingly similar to my own,” says Will. “Having been born in the UK and moving first to Bermuda and eventually settling in Nova Scotia, my love for music comes from my upbringing and my relationship with my roots. My great-grandfather, Leslie Walsh, was a musician in England around the time when Peter Appleyard was born. He played jazz drums in a trio setting (most likely one of the very early trap sets) during the time that swing music was making its way to England. This has always inspired me from a very young age, and upon researching Peter Appleyard I instantly made a connection to his early life.”
Last week, Will alongside Peter Appleyard Jr. joined Brad Barker for an interview during Afternoon Drive, you can watch the full interview below.