He already has a few Juno Awards on his mantle, and Qualicum Beach jazz musician Phil Dwyer could be adding another one to his collection.
The Juno Awards recognize Canadian musical talent and the 2012 nominees were announced on February 7.
Dwyer, a local jazz veteran was nominated in the category of Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year for his latest work. Dwyer’s CD Changing Seasons released in October 2011 was his most ambitious project yet. The CD has been getting rave reviews since it came out and the acclaimed saxophonist/composer/bandleader could be bringing home some prestigious hardware for the project he produced with violin virtuoso Mark Fewer.
The violin concerto was recorded in July 2011 at the state of the art Vancouver recording studio The Factory with an 17-piece jazz band and a 21-piece string section. The combination of a large band with horns and a massed string section integrates diverse musical elements in a fresh new way and Dwyer said although it was a big undertaking it was well worth it.
Dwyer’s reputation on the jazz scene has long been at the highest level. What comes next for the multiple Juno Award winner and nominee, composer, arranger and educator is still a big question. He will find out if he is the proud owner of one more Juno when the winners are announced on Sunday, April 1.