Biography

Canadian Jazz Musician

For more than six decades Joe Sealy has enjoyed a successful career as a musician, actor, composer, music director and recording artist. Widely recognized as one of Canada’s most respected jazz pianists, his work has helped bring the stories and traditions of Black Canadian history into the country’s musical landscape. During this time he has been featured on numerous television shows, toured throughout North America and Europe and worked with many major names in the entertainment industry. Tours have also played a significant part in Joe’s career. Some of the more notable ones include:

  • 6 months on the road with Blood, Sweat and Tears;
  • 19 concert tour of Africville Suite(including an appearance at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C.);
  • 20 city national tour of Timothy Findlay’s Piano Man’s Daughter(along with Veronica Tennant and Sylvia Tyson);
  • 2 week tour of Norway and Denmark including a performance at the world famous Jazz House in Copenhagen.

Recording Career

In the early 1990’s, Joe teamed up with bassist Paul Novotny to form a musical partnership that produced five albums over a period of 20 years. Joe performed on these recordings and composed many of the pieces. Their albums include:

  • Double Entendre
  • Dual Vision
  • Africville Suite
  • Blue Jade
  • Songs

4 Time Juno Nominee and 1 juno Award Winner

All of this work and success has not gone unnoted. Joe is both proud of, and humbled by, the acclaim he has received. Major awards include: a Juno Award for CD, Africville Suite; theDora Mavor Moore Award for music direction in the Toronto production of Ain’t Misbehavin; and a Gemini Award nominationfor his musical score for the documentary film The Road Taken.

Directing

More recently, Joe was music director for tribute concerts honoring Sarah Vaughn and Dinah Washington and for a 100th anniversary concert honoring Frank Sinatra. Both sold out events were held at Toronto’s Koerner Hall.

Playing Live Music

Joe continues to perform and remains active in the Canadian jazz community. He also hosts a weekly radio program, Joe’s Jazz, on Jazz FM 91 in Toronto, sharing his passion for jazz with audiences across the country.

Order of Canada

In 2010, Joe was invested in The Order Of Canada.