Karl Schwonik

"...versatility and talent are evident...in this young drummer [Schwonik] who already has an accomplished approach to playing and composing contemporary jazz." - Roger Levesque - Edmonton Journal'...a sweet talent...impressive...an uncanny feel for the drums...limitless talent...' - Bill Glenn - Leduc Representative"Karl Schwonik is just like every other guy who grew up on a farm east of Wetaskiwin, Alberta. He moved to Montreal, plays drums in a jazz quartet featuring musicians from New York City, he doesn't farm and, oh yeah, he's also blind. While most of the other kids were busy driving cars real fast down country roads, Schwonik was busy with music." - Bryan Birtles - VueWeeklyHere's my official bio. If you want to know something less official, just ask.Blind drummer Karl Schwonik grew up in rural Alberta where he was exposed to countless musical situations ranging from polka music to jazz. Fresh out of high school, Schwonik embarked on a tour with 4-time Canadian Country Music Award Nominee Heather-Dawn. This was followed by an invitation to study at the Banff Centre where Schwonik was the youngest artist ever to be a part of the long-term career residency program. The past year has been especially prosperous for Schwonik: he was awarded an Alberta Foundation for the Arts Grant, an Arts for Career Development Grant and an RBC Youth Excellence Scholarship, performed with Sonny Fortune and Dave Douglas respectively, and received a full scholarship to study at the Banff Centre International Jazz and Creative Music Workshop. Schwonik was also recently a featured performer on both NBC and ABC network television. Schwonik’s performing credits include: Dave Douglas, Chucho Valdes, Dave Liebman, Sonny Fortune, David Braid, Jens Lindeman, P.J. Perry, Tommy Banks, Hugh Fraser, and many others. In addition Shwonik has studied with Kenny Washington, Carl Allen, John Riley, Joe LaBarbera, Jeff Hershfield, Han Benink, Winard Harper, Rogerio Boccato and Clarence Penn. I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4