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 | | Johnny Cowell performs with the Hannaford Street Silver Band on Oct. 21, 2001 at the St. Lawrence Centre for the performing Arts. |
On October 21, 2001, Johnny Cowell, who for many years enjoyed the highest prominence as a trumpeter in Toronto and across Canada, retired from the Hannaford Street Silver Band as featured soloist. The band consists of some of the finest brass players in the Greater Toronto Area. Johnny is seen at right performing a group of solos with the Hannaford in the St. Lawrence Center for the Performing Arts, marking his retirement after 70 years as Trumpet soloist. He performed his first solo at age 6 and his final solo at age 76!
He received letters on his retirement concert from the Prime Minister of Canada, the Premier of Ontario, the Mayor of Toronto, and the President of the Toronto Musicians Association. He received a special letter from the 'King of Pops,' Erich Kunzel, honoring him for his many solo performances with the Toronto Symphony Pops.
Johnny was associated with the Toronto Symphony for 50 years. He first performed with the orchestra in 1942 at age 16. He was also the youngest member and soloist of the Toronto Symphony band at age 15. The band did a weekly radio broadcast over the Canadian Broadcasting Network.
His early years with the Symphony were interrupted during World War II when he was invited to become the cornet soloist with the Royal Canadian Navy Band. During his years in the Navy he was also Principal Trumpet of the Victoria Symphony Orchestra in British Columbia.
After World War II when a vacancy came open in the Toronto Symphony he auditioned and once again joined the Toronto Symphony in 1952. For a number of years he was Principal Trumpet of the Toronto Symphony Pops Programs. He appeared as soloist frequently with Erich Kunzel as well as Richard Hayman, Newton Wayland, Percy Faith and others. He has been featured as soloist with most of Canada's symphony orchestras and concert bands.
After his retirement from the Toronto Symphony in 1991 he was invited to become soloist of one of North America's finest brass bands, The Hannaford Street Silver Band.
In 1991 after his retirement from the Toronto Symphony he was appointed Principal Trumpet of the Toronto Philharmonic. After 9 seasons he is now the orchestra's 2nd Trumpeter.
Johnny has two CD's which have been released worldwide, where he is featured as soloist, composer and arranger with members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
Source: Joan Mitchell, Marwood Music Services |
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