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GREGG SIMPSON

Music Biography
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Compositions
Recordings

Jazz Festival Appearances
Concert List
Ensembles

                    FORMAL TRAINING: 

                   Classical Piano (Grades 1-6): 1954-58, with Kathleen Gorman,West Vancouver.
                   Drum Studies: 1962-65: Jim Blackley's Drum Village, Vancouver

                   High School and community bands, 1961-1964
          
                    JAZZ BACKGROUND:


                    Early club gigs and sessions with: Frank Foster, Chris Gage, Flip Nunez, Jack Wilson,

                    Philly Joe Jones, Don Thompson, P. J. Perry, Glenn MacDonald, Ron Proby, Brian Barley and Al Neil
 

 
                                             


                  COMPOSITIONS   ( Click link to hear a version )


1992
Reelin' In
1989
Jou Jouka Jig   
1988
Song of the Soil

Stone's Throw
1987
Cairn
1986
Mirage Dance
1985
Solomon

Harmolodic Highlanders

Celtic Calypso
1984
Canyon Suite

The Fever

Green Mansions

Basement Blues
1983
Paganology

Night Rider

Oscillation
1982
Duende

Strange Air

Symbolist Waltz #2

Loopfinder

Forest City Blues

Blue Orient
1981
 Seein' it Through
1979
Budapest Steppe

Memno

Slow Curve
1978
Public Nuance

Symbolist watz #1

Samba del Oro

Blues on Pluto

 

                         CONCERT LIST
                   
2012:
Paul Plimley Trio: 
Paul Plimley piano; Clyde Reed, bass; Gregg Simpson, drums. WAVES Jazz Festival, West Vancouver
Sound Image Net:
Paul Cram, Clarinet and tenor sax; Jarred Burrows, guitar; Carole Sawyer, vocals; Clyde Reed, bass; Gregg Simpson

2011
Paul Plimley Trio:  Paul Plimley piano; Clyde Reed, bass; Gregg Simpson, drums. WAVES Jazz Festival, West Vancouver

Sound Image Net
Jarred Burrows, guitar, Carole Sawyer, vocals; Clyde Reed, bass; Gregg Simpson, drums; visuals by
Krista Lomax.
UBC Museum of Anthropology

2010
Sound Gallery:
Paul Plimley piano; Vivianne Houle, vocals, Stefan Smulovitz, electronics and viola; Clyde Reed, bass; Gregg Simpson, drums; visuals by Krista Lomax. Cultural Olympics, Vancouver


2008
Collage, A Tribute to Al Neil: Paul Plimley piano; Vivianne Houle, vocals, Stefan Smulovitz, electronics and viola;
Clyde Reed
, bass; Gregg Simpson, drums; visuals by Krista Lomax. Jazz Festival, Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver

2006
Coat Cooke Trio (with Paul Blainey, bass), The Cellar, Vancouver

2005
Al Neil tribute band: Paul Plimley piano. Clyde Reed, bass and Gregg Simpson, drums.
With sampling/electronics artist Giorgio Magnanensi, performance poet Kederick James, with visuals by Carol Itter and Krista Lomax.
Part of the Al Neil. Project, Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver. Presented by Coastal Jazz and Blues Society
and the New Orchestra Workshop Society.


1997:
New Orchestra Workshop 20 Year Reunion, Roundhouse Centre, Vancouver

1994:
Henry Boudin Trio with poet Jamie Reid, du Maurier Jazz Festival, Vancouver
-Duet concert with George McFetteridge, Glass Slipper, Vancouver

1993:
Tribal Dynamics, Pitt International Gallery, Vancouver

1992:
Duet with Paul Plimley, New Music America Series, Seattle

1990:
Trio with Marylin Crispell and Lisle Ellis, The Knitting Factory, New York City
- Lunar Adventures at the Knitting Factory, New York
- Trio with Peter Brotzmann and Clyde Reed, Vancouver East Cultural Centre
- Quartet with Paul Cram, Paul Plimley, Lisle Ellis, Music Gallery, Toronto

1988-1990
Festivals (below
Duet with  Glenn Spearman, Du Maurier jazz Festival, Vancouver

1987
Lunar Adventures at Earshot Festival, New City Theatre, Seattle (also live recording)
Vancouver Art Trio, Musique Actuelle Festival, Victoriaville, Quebec
Sequences: Multi-Media Performance: Fringe Festival,Western Front,Vancouver.

1986:
Lunar Adventures, du Maurier Jazz Festival: (B.C.Pavilion, Expo '86);
Vancouver Art Trio, Open Space, Victoria.
Vancouver Art Trio: DuMaurier Jazz Festival; Pitt International Gallery; Western Front, Vancouver; Vancouver Poetry Front
(with Robert Creeley), Centre Culturel Colombien, Vancouver.

1985
Paul Plimley Trio, New Melody Tavern, Seattle,
Gregg Simpson Trio(s): Bruit Court, Montreal
Played with Vinny Golia Quartet, Classical Joint, Vancouver

1984
Solo piano and duet concerts: Art Gallery of Algoma, Sault Ste. Marie and Music Gallery, Toronto
Paul Cram Quartet: Hart House, Toronto; Glendon College,Toronto; Clubs in Toronto, Montreal,  Windsor, Medicine Hat and at the University of Victoria; McGill University,Montreal; Peter Robinson College, Peterborough;University of Winnipeg; Regina Public Library;Yardbird Suite, Edmonton; Off Centre Centre, Calgary; Western Front, Vancouver
Walter Zuber Armstrong Quartet: University of Western Washington, Bellingham

1983
Paul Cram Trio: Music Gallery, Toronto, Art Cite, Windsor; Peter Robinson College,
Peterborough; L'Opale, Montreal; Le Grande Cafe, Montreal; Civic Auditorium,
Quebec City.
Bob Bell Trio:Western Front, Vancouver

1982
Eppel, Simpson, Bell concert at Off Centre Centre, Calgary; Metro Media, Vancouver; Western Front
Paul Cram Trio: Surrey Art Gallery, Metro Media, Soft Rock Cafe, Vancouver
Cross CanadaTour: David Thompson University, Nelson, B.C.; Off Centre Centre Calgary; Centennial Theatre, Edmonton; University of Winnipeg; Art Gallery of Algoma; White Water Gallery, North Bay;  L'Air du Temps, Montreal;
Forest City Gallery, London, Ontario; Hart House, Toronto;
  Club work: Toronto, Montreal;

1981
ESB (Eppel, Simpson, Bell): Western Front, Vancouver;
ESB on the Ear It Live Tour : Musee des Beaux-Arts, Montreal; K.A.A.I.,Kingston; Forest City Gallery, London, Music Gallery,Toronto, Off Centre Centre, Calgary.
Guest residency with Michael Snow and the CCMC at the: Music Gallery, Toronto;

1980
NOW Festival  Western Front, Vancouver;
Maury Coles Quartet, Open Space, Victoria
Karl Berger trio, Classical Joint, Vancouver

1979
C.O.R.D. Orchestra: Museum of Anthropology, Vancouver; Robson Square Media Centre,Van.
Sessione Milano Tour: Vehicule, Montreal; Optica, Montreal; Music Gallery,Toronto; York University, Toronto; Western Front, Vancouver;

1978

 New Orchestra Quintet
Concert at the UBC Music Building Theatre

1976
Vancouver Sound Ensemble, Oil Can Harry's Jazz Room,Vancouver



Vancouver Sound Ensemble
Burnaby Art Gallery, 1976
1975
Duo tour with Don Druick: Edmonton Art Gallery; Alberta College of Art,Calgary, Vehicule, Montreal;
A Space, Toronto

1974:
Sunship Ensemble opened for Keith Jarrett, Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver

1973:
Apex Quintet at the PNE, Vancouver

1972:
Al Neil Jazz Probe, Vancouver Art Gallery, Open Space Gallery, Victoria

1971:
New Atlantis Houseband, Vancouver Art Gallery

1969:
Al Neil Trio Tour:  Art Gallery of Ontario Hart House, University of Toronto, Norman MacKenzie Art Gallery, Regina; University of Edmonton
Al Neil Trio: Intermedia Nights, Victoria Art Gallery, Vancouver Art Gallery Dome Show

1968:
Duo concert with Al Neil,Vancouver Art Gallery

1967:
Al Neil Trio, International House, UBC, Vancouver


The Al Neil Trio
Lt-rt.: Gregg Simpson, Al Neil, Richard Anstey
In rehersal, Intermedia, Vancouver, 1968 (photo: Michael de Courcy)

1966
Triple bill with Janis Joplin with Big Brother and the Holding Company and the Grateful Dead;  
Al Neil Trio: The Old Auditorium, UBC; The Sound Gallery and Motion Studio, Vancouver;
Vancouver School of Art; Trio and duet concerts at Simon Fraser University 1967, 1968, 1969.

RECORDINGS

2016

Orwell Predicted It   Sessione Milano Live on Tour

Download

2016
East Meets West   Paul Cram Quartet and Quintet
Download

2015
Live at the Knitting Factory  Lunar Adventures 
Download

2015
Standing Still   Al Neil Trio
Download

2015
Live at Oil Can Harry's Jazz Room   Vancouver Sound Ensemble
Download

2015
Full Moon   Lunar Adventures
Download

2012
The Complete Recording 1977-'79 (Six CD's) New Orchestra Quintet Download

2010
Round One  Paul Cram Trio
Download

2005 Harmolodic Highlanders  (Lunar Adventures, Paul Cram Trio, Tribal Dynamics) Download Order CD
2004
Sunship Jazz Ensemble (with booklet) Download
Order CD
2003
Gravity Boots (double CD) Ralph Eppel Quintet
Download
Order CD
2002
Retrospective: 1965-68   (double CD with booklet)  Al Neil Trio Download
Order CDs
2001
Drum Fire  Gregg Simpson Solo and Duets Download
Order CD
1992
Now You Hear It , Lunar Adventures ( NOW Anthology)
Download
Order CD
1989
Alive in Seattle  Lunar Adventures Download
Order CD
1989
The Future Is N.O.W.  Lunar Adventures, (N.O.W. Anthology)
Download
Order CD
1988
Swinging Planets  Paul Plimley Trio
Download

1988
Mirage Dance  Gregg Simpson, compositions fior synthesizer
Download

1982
Blue Tales in Time,  Paul Cram, Onari, Toronto (Nominated for a Juno
Download

1979
Music for the Living, Eppel/Simpson/Bell (LP and Double CD)
Download
Order Vinyl LP
1979
Up Til Now, New Orchestra Quintet Download
Order Vinyl LP
1975
Pacific Rim , Sunship Ensemble (Canada) / Electric Ninja (Japan)  CBC LP
Download
Order CD


Appearances in du Maurier Jazz Festivals




                                    1985:
                                              Lunar Advenures played the first Coastal Jazz and Blues Festival at Granville Island

                                   1986: Vancouver Art Trio opened for Roscoe Mitchell at New York Theatre;
                                                Played with the Bill Smith Ensemble, Canada Place, Expo '86).

                                    1987: Al Neil Trio, (with Lisle Ellis, bass) Western Front;
                                               Paul Plimley Trio with Gerry Gilbert (also at Artropolis 87, Vancouver and the Western Front.)

                                    1988: Played in du Maurier Jazz Festival with John Tchcai, Vinny Golia, Bill Smith ; Lunar Adventures opened for
                                               Ornette Coleman Prime Time Band (Commodore Ballroom);Time Flies Festival, opened for Michael Brecker, at the Commodore.

                                    1989: Lunar Adventures played at Expo Site of du Maurier Festival. also Victoria Jazz Festival and Time Flies Festival - opened for Oliver Lake.

                                    1990:
duet with Glenn Spearman,
                                                Lunar Adventures
completed cross continent tour at Festival

                                    1991/'92: Lunar Adventures played du Maurier Festival concerts

                                   
                                    1992:  Henry Boudin Trio with poet, Jamie Reid, Expo Site
                                   
                                    1993-94:
T
ribal Dynamics played Festivals at Granville Island,
   
                                    1994-96 : With the Ralph Eppel Quintet, Glass Slipper and Web Cafe

                                    2008:  
Collage, A Tribute to Al Neil, with Paul Plimey, Clyde Reed, Viviane Houle, Stefan Smulovitz and visuals by Krista Lomax

                                    2009: Sound Gallery: Paul Plimley, Clyde Reed, Viviane Houle, Stefan Smulovitz and visuals by Krosta Lomax.

                                    Across Canada:

                                    1989:
Lunar Adventures played the Toronto, Saskatoon, Calgary, and Victoria du Maurier Festivals in addition to concerts in Halifax and Hamilton.


Important Concerts

2014-2015: Sound Image Net Jarred Burrows, guitar; Carole Sawyer, vocals; Clyde Reed, bass; Gregg Simpson (with guests Paul Cram, clarinet and tenor sax and Ralph Eppel, trombone. Anne MacDonald Hall, North Vancouver)

2012:
Paul Plimley Trio: 
Paul Plimley piano; Clyde Reed, bass; Gregg Simpson, drums. WAVES Jazz Festival, West Vancouver

2011:
Paul Plimley Trio:  Paul Plimley piano; Clyde Reed, bass; Gregg Simpson, drums. WAVES Jazz Festival, West Vancouver

Sound Image Ne
t Jarred Burrows, guitar, Carole Sawyer, vocals; Clyde Reed, bass; Gregg Simpson, drums; visuals by
Krista Lomax.
UBC Museum of Anthropology

2010:  Sound Gallery: Paul Plimley piano; Vivianne Houle, vocals, Stefan Smulovitz, electronics and viola; Clyde Reed, bass; Gregg Simpson, drums; visuals by Krista Lomax. Cultural Olympics, Vancouver


2008:
Collage, A Tribute to Al Neil: Paul Plimley piano; Vivianne Houle, vocals, Stefan Smulovitz, electronics and viola;
Clyde Reed
, bass; Gregg Simpson, drums; visuals by Krista Lomax. Jazz Festival, Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver

2006:
Coat Cooke Trio (with Paul Blainey, bass), The Cellar, Vancouver

2005:
Al Neil tribute band: Paul Plimley piano. Clyde Reed, bass and Gregg Simpson, drums.
Also joined by sampling/electronics artist Giorgio Magnanensi, performance poet Kederick James, with visuals by Carol Itter and Krista Lomax. Part of the Al Neil. Project, Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver. Presented by Coastal Jazz and Blues Society
and the New Orchestra Workshop Society.

1997:
New Orchestra Workshop 20 Year Reunion, Roundhouse Centre, Vancouver

1994:
Henry Boudin Trio with poet Jamie Reid, du Maurier Jazz Festival, Vancouver
Duet concert with George McFetteridge, Glass Slipper, Vancouver

1993:
Tribal Dynamics, Pitt International Gallery, Vancouver

1992:
Duet with Paul Plimley, New Music America Series, Seattle

1990:
Trio with Marylin Crispell and Lisle Ellis, The Knitting Factory, New York City
- Lunar Adventures at the Knitting Factory, New York
- Trio with Peter Brotzmann and Clyde Reed, Vancouver East Cultural Centre
- Quartet with Paul Cram, Paul Plimley, Lisle Ellis, Music Gallery, Toronto

1988/1989: see duMaurier Festivals (above)

1987:
Lunar Adventures at Earshot Festival, New City Theatre, Seattle (also live recording)
Vancouver Art Trio, Musique Actuelle Festival, Victoriaville, Quebec
Sequences: Multi-Media Performance: Fringe Festival,Western Front,Vancouver.

1986:
Lunar Adventures, du Maurier Jazz Festival: (B.C.Pavilion, Expo '86);
Vancouver Art Trio, Open Space, Victoria.
Vancouver Art Trio: DuMaurier Jazz Festival; Pitt International Gallery; Western Front, Vancouver; Vancouver Poetry Front
(with Robert Creeley), Centre Culturel Colombien, Vancouver.

1985:
Paul Plimley Trio, New Melody Tavern, Seattle,
Gregg Simpson Trio(s): Bruit Court, Montreal
Played with Vinny Golia Quartet, Classical Joint, Vancouver

1984:
Solo piano and duet concerts: Art Gallery of Algoma, Sault Ste. Marie and Music Gallery, Toronto
Paul Cram Quartet: Hart House, Toronto; Glendon College,Toronto; Clubs in Toronto, Montreal,  Windsor, Medicine Hat and at the University of Victoria; McGill University,Montreal; Peter Robinson College, Peterborough;University of Winnipeg; Regina Public Library;Yardbird Suite, Edmonton; Off Centre Centre, Calgary; Western Front, Vancouver
Walter Zuber Armstrong Quartet: University of Western Washington, Bellingham

1983:
Paul Cram Trio: Music Gallery, Toronto, Art Cite, Windsor; Peter Robinson College,
Peterborough; L'Opale, Montreal; Le Grande Cafe, Montreal; Civic Auditorium,
Quebec City.
Bob Bell Trio:Western Front, Vancouver

1982:
Eppel, Simpson, Bell concert at Off Centre Centre, Calgary; Metro Media, Vancouver; Western Front
Paul Cram Trio: Surrey Art Gallery, Metro Media, Soft Rock Cafe, Vancouver
Cross CanadaTour: David Thompson University, Nelson, B.C.; Off Centre Centre Calgary; Centennial Theatre, Edmonton; University of Winnipeg; Art Gallery of Algoma; White Water Gallery, North Bay;  L'Air du Temps, Montreal;
Forest City Gallery, London, Ontario; Hart House, Toronto;
  Club work: Toronto, Montreal;

1981:
ESB (Eppel, Simpson, Bell): Western Front, Vancouver;
ESB on the Ear It Live Tour : Musee des Beaux-Arts, Montreal; K.A.A.I.,Kingston; Forest City Gallery, London, Music Gallery,Toronto, Off Centre Centre, Calgary.
Guest residency with Michael Snow and the CCMC at the: Music Gallery, Toronto;

1980:
NOW Festival  Western Front, Vancouver;
Maury Coles Quartet, Open Space, Victoria
Karl Berger trio, Classical Joint, Vancouver

1979:
C.O.R.D. Orchestra: Museum of Anthropology, Vancouver; Robson Square Media Centre,Van.
Sessione Milano Tour: Vehicule, Montreal; Optica, Montreal; Music Gallery,Toronto; York University, Toronto; Western Front, Vancouver;

1978: 


 
New Orchestra Quintet
Concert at the UBC Music Building Theatre, 1978

1976:
Vancouver Sound Ensemble, Oil Can Harry's Jazz Room,Vancouver



Vancouver Sound Ensemble
Burnaby Art Gallery, 1976
1975:
Duo tour with Don Druick: Edmonton Art Gallery; Alberta College of Art,Calgary, Vehicule, Montreal;
A Space, Toronto

1974:
Sunship Ensemble opened for Keith Jarrett, Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver

1973:
Apex Quintet at the PNE, Vancouver

1972:
Al Neil Jazz Probe, Vancouver Art Gallery, Open Space Gallery, Victoria

1971:
New Atlantis Houseband, Vancouver Art Gallery

1969:
Al Neil Trio Tour:  Art Gallery of Ontario Hart House, University of Toronto, Norman MacKenzie Art Gallery, Regina; University of Edmonton
Al Neil Trio: Intermedia Nights, Victoria Art Gallery, Vancouver Art Gallery Dome Show

1968:
Duo concert with Al Neil,Vancouver Art Gallery

1967:
Al Neil Trio, International House, UBC, Vancouver

The Al Neil Trio
Lt-rt.: Gregg Simpson, Al Neil, Richard Anstey
In rehersal, Intermedia, Vancouver, 1968 (photo: Michael de Courcy)

1966 
Al Neil Trio: The Old Auditorium, UBC; The Sound Gallery and Motion Studio, Vancouver;
Triple bill with Janis Joplin with Big Brother and the Holding Company and the Grateful Dead
;
Vancouver School of Art; Trio and duet concerts at Simon Fraser University 1967, 1968, 1969.



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