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Al Muirhead has long been an iconic figure on the Canadian jazz scene. But the trumpeter, composer, arranger, sideman and recording artist has been making listeners sit up and take notice for much longer than jazz fans might realize.

Born in Regina in 1935, Muirhead first started "fooling around with horns" when he was five or six. By age 12, he was playing in the Regina Symphony Orchestra and stretching his musical muscles by gigging with dance bands, learning everything from military marches to the pop hits of the day.

In his teens, Muirhead began to take notice of Harry James, then Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong, Chet Baker, Charlie Parker and their contemporaries. "They were playing a new style of jazz called bebop, and I became enthralled with it," Muirhead says. "That's where my focus and love has been ever since." While Muirhead's playing is infused with the indelible influence of those giants of jazz, his flowing, melodic sound is uniquely his own â€" and has become influential in its own right.

Muirhead's career has included work with legends such as Guido Basso, Tommy Banks, Diana Krall, Paul Anka, Rosemary Clooney, Frank Mills, P.J. Perry and Dizzy Gillespie. He was the musical director for CBC TV's "On Stage" and played with Banks during the 1988 Winter Olympics. In 2013, he was honoured with the Western Canadian Music Alliance's Heritage Award for mentorship and industry-building. You’d think that would be a nice way to wind down a career, but not for Al Muirhead.

After recording on countless projects throughout the years, 2014 marks the release of his first-ever solo album â€" the aptly named "It's About Time." Recorded with long-time conspirators Tommy Banks and P.J. Perry among others, the project was co-produced by Banks and bassist Kodi Hutchinson.

"This album is something that's been a long time coming; something that needed to happen," says Hutchinson. "It's amazing to watch Al. For him, it's about the music. He grew up on the bandstand, and he plays better than guys half his age."

The album is a mix of full band, trio and duo tracks that let Muirhead unleash melodies that are at once incredibly inventive and utterly timeless. "It's About Time" is by any measure a crowning achievement, but with a full schedule of shows, festivals and touring, Al Muirhead isn't exactly resting on his laurels.

TRACK LISTING:
1 Sleepy Time Down South
2 A Night in Tunisia
3 Ida Mae
4 Pennies From Heaven
5 It's About Time
6 Stardust
7 Joy Spring
8 All Blues
9 Mr. Clean
10 Breakfast Wine
11 The Girl Next Door

Track Listing