David Braid

David Braid has been touted as one of the most gifted young pianists and composers in Canada. A Juno Award winner and National Jazz Award recipient, Braid is in demand for a variety of projects and has performed extensively across Canada, Europe, Australia, Japan and other parts of Asia.

Thirty-one-year-old Braid has written over fifty works and recently unveiled his first orchestral piece with the Winnipeg Symphony, which blended jazz form, symphonic composition and improvisation. Braid is currently writing a suite for jazz sextet and orchestra to be premiered in 2007. Braid is also exploring his interest in hybrid jazz forms through a new unique collaboration with jazz cellist and composer, Matt Brubeck. This ensemble will release their first recording in late 2006.

Braid has earned his reputation for reinventing himself by partaking in new musical projects. One such invention is a new duet with a musical partner 53 years his senior: Phil Nimmons, affectionately known as the Dean of Canadian Jazz. Two compositionally minded individuals have collaborated to create a blend of free jazz, spontaneously crafted from refreshing amounts of melody and form. This duo will make one-time appearance at the Canadian jazz festivals in 2006 to promote their new debut CD "Beginnings."