Bob Stevenson
Bob has been an active force in the music community as a player, conductor, composer and educator since the early 70s. As a clarinetist, Bob’s background is wide ranging and diverse, encompassing many forms including jazz, classical, new music, klezmer and free improvisation. He has performed regularly with a wide variety of ensembles including Arraymusic, New Music Concerts, Tapestry New Opera Works and the Flying Bulgar Klezmer Band among many others. He also leads three groups. The Bob Standard (with guitarist Justin Haynes and bassist Victor Bateman) takes a fresh and experimental approach to the American songbook. Big Idea is a twelve piece ensemble consisting of some of Toronto’s best jazz and classical players performing Bob’s original compositions. Safety In Numbers (with guitarist Chris Bezant and bassist Chris Kettlewell) begins with the inspiration of guitarist Django Reinhardt to explore jazz music from the 1920s to the present. He is also a member of Red Rhythm and Rambunctious, and has appeared on the recordings of many artists including Holly Cole, Flying Bulgar Klezmer Band, Arraymusic, New Music Concert and Anthony Genge. Mr. Stevenson has also performed on many film and television soundtracks.
As a composer Bob has been commissioned by choreographers Bill James, Maxine Heppner and Holly Small; performers Arraymusic, the Evergreen Club Gamelon, Innovations en Concert, Stephen Clarke, and the Modern Quartet; and documentary film producers Laurent Productions and fission media. Mr. Stevenson’s compositions are performed and recorded frequently both in Canada and internationally. He served as Artistic Director of the contemporary chamber music ensemble Arraymusic from 2005-2010 and was Artistic Director of the improvising new music big band Hemispheres from 1995-1998. He has served as guest lecturer in clarinet and composition at York University in Toronto and at the University of Edinborough, Scotland.