Jason Simard

During my last competition the judge turned to the crowd and remarked: "is there anyone here who can tell me why Jason is not out there cutting records and making millions of dollars" and compared my level of musicality to that of Sting and others like Bryan Adams . Throughout my career as a composer and performer, I have won a series of competiions inlcuding:

-- Awarded Kiwanis Musical Scholarship 2010

-- 1st Place in Ontario for 2010 Kiwanic Competition: for Composition (Rock/Pop)

-- 1st Place in Ontario 2001 Kiwanis Competition: for Composition (Open Pop)

-- 2nd Place in Ontario 2000 Kiwanis Competition: for Composition (Contemporary Classical)

Formally trained by the RCM, and Berklee as a classically based instrumental guitarist, I have performed my own arrangements of instrumental Pop songs on guitar for assorted political events; including A Memorial for Former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and the United Nations.

I was hit by a car while on my bike when I was 19 which evolved into different issues and eventually I had to stop playing altogether for about 4-5 years due to pain.
During this time this was difficult to deal with , however,
I began to teach myself how to compose for all other instruments. Later on I discovered that I could sing . My style totally changed once again and I became a singer . After teaching guitar, composition , rock history and vocals in High schools and various places for years I decided to build a small studio here in Ottawa with the goal of trying to create something better in this city and I understand the pitfalls and the struggles it takes to build something from the ground up that you care about. As such I have the utmost respect for what the people from Taxi have accomplished ,
I have been compared to many times in and out of competitions to Steve Perry Rod Stewart Micheal Jackson Otis Redding and many others.
My influences are mainly Classic and prog rock 70's 80's arena rock and Smooth Jazz