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Stevenson commenced his music career in Ottawa, Ontario, where he spent his childhood and adolescence. While still in his teens, he joined the band [[Earth Opera]], originally based in Boston. Stevenson left the band in 1968, after the release of their first album. During Stevenson's time with Earth Opera, the band frequently opened for [[The Doors]], being fellow recording artists on [[Elektra Records]], as well as having [[Jac Holzman]] as producer.<ref>See [[Earth Opera]]. Holzman, in his capacity as the founder of Elektra Records (see [[Jac Holzman]]), had signed both The Doors and Earth Opera.</ref>
Stevenson commenced his music career in Ottawa, Ontario, where he spent his childhood and adolescence. While still in his teens, he joined the band [[Earth Opera]], originally based in Boston. Stevenson left the band in 1968, after the release of their first album. During Stevenson's time with Earth Opera, the band frequently opened for [[The Doors]], being fellow recording artists on [[Elektra Records]], as well as having [[Jac Holzman]] as producer.<ref>See [[Earth Opera]]. Holzman, in his capacity as the founder of Elektra Records (see [[Jac Holzman]]), had signed both The Doors and Earth Opera.</ref>


After leaving Earth Opera, Stevenson returned to Ottawa, where he continued to play locally for a number of years. One of his associations was as an early member of Heaven's Radio,<ref>[http://www.terrygillespie.ca/news.html Terry Gillespie, Brother of The Blues, in Halifax]. News Release, May 25, 2007; www.terrygillespie.ca. Stevenson played with Gillespie at Gillespie's Halifax performance.</ref> considered to be one of the best bands to come out of Ottawa in the 1970s.<ref>Uncredited, [http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/arts/story.html?id=f46c2971-20e6-4a78-a1b4-45db368e2314 Get ready for a taste of Heaven: Classic '70s band reunites for concert this weekend]. [[Ottawa Citizen]], May 17, 2007. Heaven's Radio, formed by singer Terry Gillespie, performed primarily in the 1970s and 1980s, releasing two albums: ''Active'' and ''Uptown Babies''. Both albums were reissued on CD in 2007, involving a promotional reunion concert at which Stevenson performed. Both Stevenson and Gillespie are contemporaries of [[William Hawkins (songwriter and poet)|William Hawkins]] and contributed to the Hawkins tribute album, ''[[Dancing Alone: Songs of William Hawkins]]'' (2008).</ref> As of the mid-1970s, Stevenson relocated to [[Halifax (former city), Nova Scotia|Halifax, Nova Scotia]], from which his career has been based since. During his career, Stevenson has worked with many notable artists, including [[John Lee Hooker]], [[Amos Garrett]]<ref name = Stevensonbio/> and [[Tom Rush]].
After leaving Earth Opera, Stevenson returned to Ottawa, where he continued to play locally for a number of years. One of his associations was as an early member of Heaven's Radio,<ref>[http://www.terrygillespie.ca/news.html Terry Gillespie, Brother of The Blues, in Halifax] {{wayback|url=http://www.terrygillespie.ca/news.html |date=20090224224052 }}. News Release, May 25, 2007; www.terrygillespie.ca. Stevenson played with Gillespie at Gillespie's Halifax performance.</ref> considered to be one of the best bands to come out of Ottawa in the 1970s.<ref>Uncredited, [http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/arts/story.html?id=f46c2971-20e6-4a78-a1b4-45db368e2314 Get ready for a taste of Heaven: Classic '70s band reunites for concert this weekend] {{wayback|url=http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/arts/story.html?id=f46c2971-20e6-4a78-a1b4-45db368e2314 |date=20121107150834 }}. [[Ottawa Citizen]], May 17, 2007. Heaven's Radio, formed by singer Terry Gillespie, performed primarily in the 1970s and 1980s, releasing two albums: ''Active'' and ''Uptown Babies''. Both albums were reissued on CD in 2007, involving a promotional reunion concert at which Stevenson performed. Both Stevenson and Gillespie are contemporaries of [[William Hawkins (songwriter and poet)|William Hawkins]] and contributed to the Hawkins tribute album, ''[[Dancing Alone: Songs of William Hawkins]]'' (2008).</ref> As of the mid-1970s, Stevenson relocated to [[Halifax (former city), Nova Scotia|Halifax, Nova Scotia]], from which his career has been based since. During his career, Stevenson has worked with many notable artists, including [[John Lee Hooker]], [[Amos Garrett]]<ref name = Stevensonbio/> and [[Tom Rush]].


Stevenson is the 2008 winner of the [[East Coast Music Awards|East Coast Music Award]] for Jazz Album of The Year.<ref name = Stevensonbio>[http://www.billstevensonmusic.ca/biography Biography of Bill Stevenson]; www.billstevensonmusic.ca</ref> With Tom Easley and Geoff Arsenault, he is also a 2009 East Coast Music Award nominee for Blues Album of The Year.<ref>[http://www.billstevensonmusic.ca/ ECMA Nomination]; "News", December 4, 2009; www.billstevensonmusic.ca.</ref>
Stevenson is the 2008 winner of the [[East Coast Music Awards|East Coast Music Award]] for Jazz Album of The Year.<ref name = Stevensonbio>[http://www.billstevensonmusic.ca/biography Biography of Bill Stevenson]; www.billstevensonmusic.ca</ref> With Tom Easley and Geoff Arsenault, he is also a 2009 East Coast Music Award nominee for Blues Album of The Year.<ref>[http://www.billstevensonmusic.ca/ ECMA Nomination]; "News", December 4, 2009; www.billstevensonmusic.ca.</ref>
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===Contributions to others===
===Contributions to others===
*1972 Tom Rush, ''[[Merrimack County (album)|Merrimack County]]'' ([[Columbia Records|Columbia]])
*1972 Tom Rush, ''[[Merrimack County (album)|Merrimack County]]'' ([[Columbia Records|Columbia]])
*2003 Hot Toddy, ''Salty Sessions, Vol. 1'' (Independent)<ref>Nominated for Blues Album of The Year, 2004 East Coast Music Awards. See [http://www.hottoddytrio.com/fr_tomeasley.cfm record particulars]; www.hottoddytrio.com.</ref>
*2003 Hot Toddy, ''Salty Sessions, Vol. 1'' (Independent)<ref>Nominated for Blues Album of The Year, 2004 East Coast Music Awards. See [http://www.hottoddytrio.com/fr_tomeasley.cfm record particulars]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}; www.hottoddytrio.com.</ref>
*2004 [[Dutch Mason]], ''Half Ain't Been Told'' (Pig Productions/[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]])
*2004 [[Dutch Mason]], ''Half Ain't Been Told'' (Pig Productions/[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]])
*2004 Hot Toddy, ''Salty Sessions, Vol. 2'' (Independent)<ref>Selected as Blues Album of The Year, 2005 East Coast Music Awards. See [http://www.hottoddytrio.com/fr_tomeasley.cfm record particulars]; www.hottoddytrio.com.</ref>
*2004 Hot Toddy, ''Salty Sessions, Vol. 2'' (Independent)<ref>Selected as Blues Album of The Year, 2005 East Coast Music Awards. See [http://www.hottoddytrio.com/fr_tomeasley.cfm record particulars]{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}; www.hottoddytrio.com.</ref>
*2005 Soundtrack contributions, ''The Life and Hard Times of Guy Terrifico'', starring [[Kris Kristofferson]]
*2005 Soundtrack contributions, ''The Life and Hard Times of Guy Terrifico'', starring [[Kris Kristofferson]]
*2008 ''[[Dancing Alone: Songs of William Hawkins]]'' ([[True North Records|True North]])<ref>A tribute album, on which Stevenson performs two of Hawkins' songs, including a version of Hawkins' best-known song, "Gnostic Serenade". Stevenson's version is described by one reviewer as a "stark, voice-and-piano confessional': [http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/516716 Review of ''Dancing Alone: Songs of William Hawkins'']; The [[Toronto Star]], October 14, 2008.</ref>
*2008 ''[[Dancing Alone: Songs of William Hawkins]]'' ([[True North Records|True North]])<ref>A tribute album, on which Stevenson performs two of Hawkins' songs, including a version of Hawkins' best-known song, "Gnostic Serenade". Stevenson's version is described by one reviewer as a "stark, voice-and-piano confessional': [http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/516716 Review of ''Dancing Alone: Songs of William Hawkins'']; The [[Toronto Star]], October 14, 2008.</ref>

Revision as of 12:59, 2 November 2016

Bill Stevenson
Born1947 (age 76–77)
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
GenresBlues, jazz
Occupation(s)Pianist, vocalist, songwriter
Websitewww.billstevensonmusic.ca

Bill Stevenson (born 1947 in Ottawa, Ontario) is an award-winning Canadian blues and jazz pianist, vocalist and songwriter, originally associated with the band Earth Opera, whose career in music has spanned over forty years.

Biography

Stevenson commenced his music career in Ottawa, Ontario, where he spent his childhood and adolescence. While still in his teens, he joined the band Earth Opera, originally based in Boston. Stevenson left the band in 1968, after the release of their first album. During Stevenson's time with Earth Opera, the band frequently opened for The Doors, being fellow recording artists on Elektra Records, as well as having Jac Holzman as producer.[1]

After leaving Earth Opera, Stevenson returned to Ottawa, where he continued to play locally for a number of years. One of his associations was as an early member of Heaven's Radio,[2] considered to be one of the best bands to come out of Ottawa in the 1970s.[3] As of the mid-1970s, Stevenson relocated to Halifax, Nova Scotia, from which his career has been based since. During his career, Stevenson has worked with many notable artists, including John Lee Hooker, Amos Garrett[4] and Tom Rush.

Stevenson is the 2008 winner of the East Coast Music Award for Jazz Album of The Year.[4] With Tom Easley and Geoff Arsenault, he is also a 2009 East Coast Music Award nominee for Blues Album of The Year.[5]

Discography

Earth Opera

  • 1994 Shall we call it a night (Independent, with Tom Easley)
  • 2006 For The Record (Independent; with Tom Easley)
  • 2009 Nine Steps (Super High; with Tom Easley and Geoff Arsenault)

Contributions to others

References

  1. ^ See Earth Opera. Holzman, in his capacity as the founder of Elektra Records (see Jac Holzman), had signed both The Doors and Earth Opera.
  2. ^ Terry Gillespie, Brother of The Blues, in Halifax Template:Wayback. News Release, May 25, 2007; www.terrygillespie.ca. Stevenson played with Gillespie at Gillespie's Halifax performance.
  3. ^ Uncredited, Get ready for a taste of Heaven: Classic '70s band reunites for concert this weekend Template:Wayback. Ottawa Citizen, May 17, 2007. Heaven's Radio, formed by singer Terry Gillespie, performed primarily in the 1970s and 1980s, releasing two albums: Active and Uptown Babies. Both albums were reissued on CD in 2007, involving a promotional reunion concert at which Stevenson performed. Both Stevenson and Gillespie are contemporaries of William Hawkins and contributed to the Hawkins tribute album, Dancing Alone: Songs of William Hawkins (2008).
  4. ^ a b Biography of Bill Stevenson; www.billstevensonmusic.ca
  5. ^ ECMA Nomination; "News", December 4, 2009; www.billstevensonmusic.ca.
  6. ^ Nominated for Blues Album of The Year, 2004 East Coast Music Awards. See record particulars[permanent dead link]; www.hottoddytrio.com.
  7. ^ Selected as Blues Album of The Year, 2005 East Coast Music Awards. See record particulars[permanent dead link]; www.hottoddytrio.com.
  8. ^ A tribute album, on which Stevenson performs two of Hawkins' songs, including a version of Hawkins' best-known song, "Gnostic Serenade". Stevenson's version is described by one reviewer as a "stark, voice-and-piano confessional': Review of Dancing Alone: Songs of William Hawkins; The Toronto Star, October 14, 2008.
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