Joel Gray
Director and Mentor
Joel Gray is an Edmonton-based trumpet player and music educator. Known for his versatility, Joel is in high demand in both jazz and classical genres. He is a regular performer with many artists and ensembles, including the Canadian All-Star JazzPops Orchestra, the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, the Edmonton Jazz Orchestra, and National Broadway on Tour. He has appeared on stage with some of the world’s finest artists, including Jens Lindemann, Robi Botos, Tommy Banks, PJ Perry, Slide Hampton, Diana Krall, Gino Vannelli, Wayne Newton, the Temptations, and the Funk Brothers. He has recorded on over 40 albums, including the Juno award-winning album “A Joyful Banner Blazing” by Maria Dunn (2022) and the Juno nominated album “Then Is Now ‘Rhapsody in Blue'” with Jens Lindemann, John Kimura Parker, and Robi Botos. As a music educator, Joel has taught music at MacEwan University, the University of Alberta, and Keyano College, and has directed the award-winning Littlebirds Jazz Bands since 2004.
Curtis Farley
Mentor
Curtis Farley is an accomplished music educator with 16 years of experience as a teacher. He is currently the co-director of the University of Alberta Jazz Band and he directed Blackgold Community Band, the Jr All City Band and the Cosmopolitan Music Society Beginner Band.
Curtis attended the University of Alberta where he received Bachelor degrees in music composition and in education. He is an active trombone player in many ensembles around Edmonton.