NORMAN MARSHALL VILLENEUVE In his remarkable 7th decade in music, Norman Marshall Villeneuve is a Félix Award winner, bandleader, recording artist, and master of bebop. This hard-driving jazz drummer is known as "Canada's Art Blakey, for his trademark passion and iconic drum solos. Norm began his professional career in 1955, at age 17, working the Montreal clubs, later touring with Dr. Oliver Jones and as part of the Ebony in Rythem show. In 1974, Norm moved to Toronto where he quickly established himself as a leader. He returned to Montreal in 2013, and continues to bring his bebop message to sold out events in both cities. Norm is an icon of Canadian jazz, and an active, respected, beloved leader on the jazz scene. SEE NORMAN'S FULL BIO HERE
EDUCATION... COMMUNITY... LEGACY... Read about Norm's work in Education, his Scholarship and his Archive collection at Concordia University CLICK HERE
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Sunday May 27 - 2-5pm - Norman's 80th Birthday Celebration! United Church, Montreal - 3007 Rue Delisle, Montréal, QC H4C 1M8 - Join Norman to celebrate his 80th birthday, in the place where his career in entertainment began, in 1946, when at the age of 8 he made his debut as a tap dancer in the Union United Church Hall, with his tap teacher (and big brother) Charles Griffith, accompanied by his 13 year old cousin, Oliver Jones. Please join Norman at this reception get-together over coffee and birthday cake! Musicians - an impromptu jam session will be happening!! No gifts ... but Norman does love birthday cards!
Saturday, June 23 - 2:30pm - Toronto Jazz Festival - Norman Marshall Villeneuve's Canadian Jazz Messengers - Cumberland Stage - Yorkville - Toronto - Norman Marshall Villeneuve, drums, David Restivo, piano, Mike Downes, bass, Grant Stewart, tenor sax, Ken Fornetran, alto sax, Jake Wilkinson, trumpet.