Karl Schwonik profile picture

Karl Schwonik

www.karlschwonik.com

About Me

"...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

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 2/23/2007
Band Website: karlschwonik.com
Band Members: Karl Schwonik - Drums. 'LJC', 'Ross' and 'Green Line' - Joel Miller-Sax, Andrea Case-Cello, Josh Rager-Piano, Adam Over-Bass. Sound Engineer: Will Howie. Photos by Tracy Kolenchuk
Influences: Dave Liebman, David Sanborn, Jack Walrath, Sonny Fortune, Jack DeJohnette, Peter Erskine, Brian Blade, Andrea Louise
Sounds Like: 'We read, frequently if unknowingly, in quest of a mind more original than our own.' (H. Bloom)
Type of Label: None

My Blog

PERFORMING ARTS AWARD!

I have received great news recently: I have been awarded this year's 'Queen's Golden Jubilee Performing Arts Award'!!This award is $5,000 and is made possible through the Alberta Foundation for the Ar...
Posted by Karl Schwonik on Mon, 04 Aug 2008 08:56:00 PST

Richard Cowie Scholarship for Young Jazz Musicians 2008!

I found out recently I am the winner of this year's Richard Cowie Scholarship through the Calgary Musicians' Union and C-Jazz! The award is for young jazz musicians and comes with a cash award and a ...
Posted by Karl Schwonik on Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:39:00 PST

2-Week Western-Canadian tour and upcoming projects

Well after two weeks in Western Canada, 11 gigs, moving 6 times and only one speeding ticket here we are, all done!Thanks to everyone who came out and supported my quartet this past month in Saskatche...
Posted by Karl Schwonik on Sun, 13 Jan 2008 09:12:00 PST

Alberta Foundation for the Arts!!

I just wanted to take a moment to publicly thank the Alberta Foundation for the Arts. They have very graciously supported me now for three years in a wide variety of projects. Thank you so much!...
Posted by Karl Schwonik on Thu, 22 Nov 2007 06:42:00 PST