RealTracks Artist Bio: Ian McDougall

Ian McDougall was born in Calgary, Canada, and grew up in Victoria, leaving there in 1960 to tour in Great Britain with the John Dankworth Band. Returning to Canada in 1962, he began a lengthy career as a freelance player, composer and arranger in Vancouver and in Toronto where, until 1991, he was also the lead and solo trombonist with Rob McConnell′s Juno and Grammy award-winning Boss Brass.

During this period Ian also was also lead trombone and composer ⁄ arranger for The Brass Connection, winners of the 1982 Juno award for best Jazz album. Since the early 1980′s McDougall has become even more involved in composition, and his works have been performed by the CBC Vancouver Orchestra, the Lafayette String Quartet, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Rob McConnell Tentet, and the Toronto Cantata Chorus among others.

The past decade has included tours in Canada and abroad to Ireland, Scotland, Australia, Denmark, Holland, the USA, Germany, and England, where Ian was music director for two BBC Big Band broadcasts.

Ian now resides in Victoria, where he continues to play, compose, and teach. He taught trombone, composition, and Jazz studies at the University of Victoria, leaving there in 2003 as Professor Emeritus. Ian was awarded the University of Victoria′s "Distinguished Alumni" award in 2004.

Recent CD releases include "In a Sentimental Mood" featuring Ian and his quartet playing the music of Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington, and "No Passport Required" - a Jazz concerto in 3 movements for trumpet and trombone.

Ian McDougall has been named as the recipient of the Phil Nimmons Established Composer Award, sponsored by SOCAN and IAJE.

On July 1, 2008, Ian was appointed to the Order of Canada for his contributions to Classical and Jazz music as a renowned trombonist and composer, and as an innovative educator and mentor.

Ian McDougall′s web site is at www.ianmcdougall.com/