Wray Downes
- Origin
- Toronto
- Born
- 1931
- Labels
- Justin Time Records
Biography
Wray Downes (January 14, 1931 – March 19, 2020) was a Canadian jazz pianist. Born in Toronto, he was classically trained at Trinity College, London, but began playing jazz in 1952 as a student at the Paris Conservatoire. While in France, he played with Sidney Bechet and Bill Coleman. After returning to Canada in the mid-1950s, he played with Oscar Peterson and was a recurring house pianist at the Town Tavern in Toronto, performing with Roy Eldridge, Coleman Hawkins, Clark Terry, and Lester Young. He played for many years with Peter Appleyard and Dave Young, and also worked with Archie Alleyne, Pete Magadini, Buddy Tate, and Dave Turner. He passed away on March 19, 2020, in Montreal.
Highlights
- Born in Toronto in 1931.
- Classically trained at Trinity College, London.
- Played with jazz legends like Sidney Bechet and Oscar Peterson.
- Recurring house pianist at the Town Tavern in Toronto.
- Passed away on March 19, 2020, in Montreal.
FAQ
How old is Wray Downes?
Wray Downes was born in 1931.
Where is Wray Downes from?
Wray Downes is from Toronto, Canada.
What genre of music does Wray Downes play?
Wray Downes was a jazz pianist.
What are Wray Downes' biggest hits?
Wray Downes does not have specified top releases.
Since when has Wray Downes been active?
Wray Downes started playing jazz in 1952.
Has he won any awards?
Wray Downes does not have information on any awards won.
