Courtney Quebec

Courtney Quebec has had a love affair with music since before she learned how to speak. Born into a musical household – her father a professional jazz bassist and her mother a recreational classical pianist – Courtney was constantly surrounded by the sounds of Mozart and Charles Mingus. It’s only natural that Courtney ended up at York University obtaining a BFA specializing in Music. After having played the piano throughout her childhood, flute and saxophone in her elementary school bands and attending a performing arts high school to major in vocal music Courtney followed her passion and natural talent all the way from the small town of Sudbury, Ontario to the heart of downtown Toronto.

Since arriving at York University Courtney has received several distinctions such as an entrance scholarship, the Sterling-Beckwith award and the prestigious Douglas Phillip Menzie Jazz Scholarship. She also had the honour of being featured on JazzFM 91.1’s Jazzology program hosted by Larry Green. Although she entered the university as a jazz vocalist, in her second year she decided to enroll in jazz piano lessons to compliment her singing, and soon thereafter she was splitting her focus equally between the two instruments. Studying with greats like Bonnie Brett, Richard Whiteman, Adrean Farrugia, Mark Eisenman, Mike Murley, Kelly Jefferson and Kevin Turcotte, Courtney has learned how to play and compose within the jazz tradtition.

Singing and playing in several jazz groups, Courtney has spent her university career gigging around the GTA. Some of her projects such as: the Courtney Quebec duo with guitarist Tom Ionescu, a bass and voice duo featuring David Aaron Carter on bass, as well as the Courtney Quebec trio in which she is both pianist and singer, have been busy playing at restaurants, art galleries, weddings, corporate functions and private parties. Recent appearances include Miller’s Country Bar and Bistro in Etobicoke and the Walnut Gallery on Queen St. West. Also, she can be found at nearly every jazz night at the Absinthe Pub on campus, either jamming, or playing a set with one of her bands. Courtney has done recent studio work with her own trio, as well as with the D.A. Carter group, a five piece band featuring Chris Chekan on tenor saxophone and herself on vocals, playing original modern music composed entirely by bandleader Dave Carter.

Besides gigs, Courtney has been teaching piano and voice lessons at Long&McQuade in North York as well as Allegro Music in Toronto. She teaches students of all ages and experience levels and caters towards helping people pursue their individual artistic goals, whether they are to play classical piano (RCM), learn about in jazz, or to how play/sing the latest pop hits. A caring and compassionate teacher, Courtney has been incredibly successful in preparing her students for anything from RCM exams to musical theater auditions.

With a whole lot of passion and experience Courtney intends on pursuing a Master’s degree in the near future. She still hasn’t quite decided her main focus as of yet, as she feels torn between her loves of playing, composing and teaching. Until she decides, Courtney Quebec will remain in Toronto, teaching privately and filling stages around the city with her soulful vocals and delicate piano stylings.