Jason Fowler

Toronto-born Jason Fowler is known across Canada for his tasteful guitar playing and expressive songwriting. He has released four recordings to date, produced albums for other artists, and has recorded and toured with John McDermott, Nana Mouskouri, Murray McLauchlan, Cindy Church, The Irish Tenors, Anne Lindsay, Marc Jordan, Amy Sky, The Cottars, and Quartette.He is a two-time award winner at the prestigious Walnut Valley National Guitar Championships (Fingerpicking 1997, Flatpicking 2000)His instrumental piece Midwestern Lament (Temporary Ground) won Instrumental Composition of the Year in the 2004 OCFF Songs From The Heart Competition. In 2003 he was the recipient of the CEC McEachern Award for Outstanding Musical Accompanist. Jasons interpretation of Shi Big, Shi Mhor (Big Hill, Little Hill), by Irish harpist OCarolan, appeared on Borealis Records Six Strings North of the Border, a compilation of Canadian guitar music.Jason started playing the guitar at age 7, spurred on by his father, himself a self-taught guitarist. Private lessons taught him theory, harmony and sight-reading. He started writing songs and performing in his early teens. In 1992, Jason graduated with an Honours B.A. in Classical Guitar Performance from McGill University.Jason released his debut CD, Hiss Of Distance, in October 1995 to widespread critical acclaim. Billboard magazine called him a gifted guitarist, singer, songwritera real gem, and Nashvilles Performing Songwriter described him as, Another accomplished writer and musician from Canada.Jasons second album, Life Is Rich, released in January 1998, was also enthusiastically received. Walt Grealis of RPM Magazine wrote: Fowler is known for his exceptional finger work and his thought- provoking lyrics and he follows through with this release of Fowler originals. The Ottawa Citizen succinctly summed up the albums impact, At this stage of the game, life is rich and its nice to hear somebody write about it so honestly.Jasons third CD, the all-instrumental Big Hill, Little Hill (December 2000), proved to be a watershed in his evolving artistry.