Joel Haynes

Joel Haynes is an emerging, dynamic drummer on the Canadian jazz scene. Since a very young age, he has been playing and studying the drums with absolute dedication and determination. Joel has grown from his early community musical experiences in his hometowns of Hamilton and Burlington, Ontario, and has progressed to playing with some of the finest jazz artists in Canada. Highlights include being nominated for a “National Jazz Award” in 2003, and being invited to perform with Oscar Peterson and Dave Young for the Canadian Tsunami Relief Benefit Concert in January, 2005.He has been an active musician in Canada and has been “…known by his fellow musicians as an unfailing, solid, and devoted player who demonstrates courage, swing and sensitivity in a variety of musical situations” (Andre White, 2005). Many influences have formed Joel’s musical styling. His jazz studies at Humber College, McGill University, and the University of Toronto have given him a broad base of skills and knowledge which have shaped him into a highly technical, defined, inventive and diverse musician. Instructors in Montreal and Toronto include: Andre White, Dave Laing, Chris McCann, Bob McClaren, Don Vickory, and Barry Elmes.During and following his educational experiences, Joel has performed at many major jazz festivals in North America, Europe, Asia, South America, Japan, Korea and the Caribbean. While in Ontario, he has played with many outstanding jazz artists, such as: Russell Malone, Bill Mays, Ray Anderson, Rob McConnell, Sam Noto, Dave Young, P.J. Perry, Cornelius Dupré, Don Thompson, Neil Swainson, Jim Vivian, Bernie Senensky, David Braid, Steve Koven, Andrew Scott, Billy Robinson, and Verve recording artist Denzal Sinclaire. While Joel is admired for his skills within the jazz idiom, his diversity and excellent reading skills have enabled him to perform for popular musical theatrical productions, such as: Cats, West Side Story, the Rat Pack, Urinetown and several other major shows.Joel’s largest project to date is his debut CD, released in November, 2005, titled The Time is Now, (Cellar Live Records, Vancouver). It is a collaborative collection with Tilden Webb, Jodi Proznick, and special guest vocalist, Denzal Sinclaire. The trio of Haynes, Webb & Proznick was first formed in 1993 while they were all attending McGill University in Montreal. They have been performing together as a trio and as a backing rhythm section ever since their university days. Despite the geographical distance between Joel in Toronto and Jodi, Tilden and Denzal in Vancouver, they still find it necessary to continue working together to explore new ideas and develop upon older ones.Joel is looking forward to the Trio’s second recording with Webb and Proznick, recorded live at Vancouver’s Cellar Jazz club in February 2008 with special guest Seamus Blake.