Jon Day

Biography

Born into a Canadian family with generations of musicians, Jon began classical piano training at age 4, and trumpet at age 12. As a teenager, Jon began competing and winning numerous National and International awards at music festivals across Canada and the United States. His early exposure to artists such as Miles Davis, Charlie (Bird) Parker, Earth, Wind, and Fire, and Tower of Power inspired Jon to pursue post-secondary training in music. After completing a Popular Music Diploma from Vanier College (Montreal, Canada) in 1990 and a BMus in Jazz Performance on trumpet (and piano as his secondary instrument) from McGill University (Montreal, Canada) in 1994, Jon worked as a freelance performer, band leader, composer, and arranger in the Montreal music scene performing with the Denny Christianson Big Band, McGill Jazz Ensemble I & II, the Canadian Friends’ Choir (on piano and trumpet) and the Montreal Gospel Choir (on trumpet). Jon performed several times at the Montreal International Jazz Festival with groups such as the Montreal Gospel Choir, the Vanier College Jazz Quintet, and the CBC All-Star Jazz Ensemble as the lead trumpet player.

Combining his love of travel, culture and music, Jon spent the next several years (1995-1999) performing on cruise ships as lead trumpeter in a show band that took him to more than 30 countries. During this period, he had the opportunity to back up a wide variety of notable artists such as Mark Preston (formerly of the group, The Letterman) and Louise Mandrell (of the Mandrell Sisters).

In 1999, Jon moved to Calgary, Canada where he continued to perform, arrange, and compose with several large and small ensembles across Western Canada. Jon has also had the privilege of sharing the stage with greats like Alex Acuna, Howard McCrary, Linda McCrary, Oscar Cartaya, Hugh Fraser, Ross Taggart, PJ Perry, Don Thompson, Sean Jones, Brad Turner, Jamey Aebersold, Kevin Dean, Elizabeth Shepherd, Judy Niemack, Ranee Lee, and Andre White, to name a few. Noted for his versatility, he has also performed with blues/rock legends Jack Semple, Doug Riley, Clarence Clemens and the “Temple of Soul”, among others.

In addition to his impressive performance career which has included performances at private functions for celebrity personalities like actor Robert Duval, and directing a band for several prominent political events for the Mayor of Calgary, Jon is known for being a skillful instructor and has worked for more than two decades as a private and group instructor on both trumpet and piano. He has also worked as a civilian instructor and conductor of marching bands, small ensembles, and jazz ensembles for several Air Cadet Squadrons across Canada.

After spending several years traveling and living abroad (USA, UK, Central America), Jon returned to Calgary in 2012 where he worked as a music professor at Mount Royal University and Rocky Mountain College teaching instrument technique, performance technique, improvisation, music theory and ear training, arranging, composition, and history. 

Jon is an accomplished composer having authored songs for several artists, including the song “La Cubana” recorded by Allistair Elliott - winner of the 2008 Canadian Smooth Jazz Award for Wind Instrumentalist of the Year - on his album, “Urban Nights”. Jon has also composed and orchestrated original orchestral works for numerous full-scale live musical theatre productions including "A Christmas Carol", “The Grinch”, and “It’s a Wonderful Life”. He also co-wrote, “Change Me”, for which he received a shared nomination for Outstanding Songwriter at the 2001 Prairie Music Awards (now “Western Canadian Music Awards”). 

In addition to performing, recording, teaching, and writing, Jon has spent a decade honing his skills as a Music Director and Artistic Director in a variety of large contemporary churches across Canada and the United States. Jon currently resides in Calgary, Alberta where he works as a sessional faculty member at the University of Calgary as well as a freelance performer, producer, recording artist, educator, arranger, orchestrator, and composer.