Biography
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In the last few months, Chet Doxas has enjoyed many eclectic musical experiences. Since June of this year, Chet has been touring with the multi-award winning group, The Sam Roberts Band. The highlight, thus far, has been a live performance in Ottawa, CDN, for Prince William and his wife, Catherine.
MUSE HILL, is Chet's latest project (please click on the "Muse Hill" button on the navigation bar.
This unique ensemble features: Chet Doxas (saxophone), Brad Barr (guitar), Andrew Barr (drums), Joe Grass (pedal steel) and Morgan Moore (bass). With each member of the group, band-leaders in their own right, Muse Hill represents the meeting of some of Montreal's most influential young musicians.Drawing on his family roots from the Southern United States, Chet's original pieces highlight a strong link to the music of the blues, Bluegrass, Appalachian music and sacred hymns.Muse Hill represents a new sound on Montreal's fertile music scene that is sure to lead to new ideas about the path of instrumental and vocal music.
Chet Doxas, comes from an inspired musical background. Born and raised in Montreal, Canada, Chet has vivid memories of falling asleep to his father, George, either hosting jam sessions or directing full choir rehearsals in their family home. It was not long before Chet was able to join in the fun.
Chet first started violin and piano lessons when he was three years old, and then at the age of nine began studying clarinet and drums. His brother, Jim, also started percussion lessons at the same time and is now one of Canada’s most sought after musicians. Chet eventually made the switch to saxophone. He can still recall the life-changing moment when he first heard a Charlie Parker recording; at the age of twelve years old, Chet knew that he wanted to dedicate his life to music.
Throughout his teenage years, Chet received many accolades and awards, most notably, an appearance at Carnegie Hall at the age of sixteen in an evening which featured some of North America's most promising young musicians. Since then, he was chosen to represent Canada in the European Broadcast Union Jazz Orchestra with which he toured in Europe and Asia. Chet won “Le Prix d’Argent” in Le Concours de Jeune Soloiste, presided over by renowned pianist Martial Solal in Fribourg, Switzerland. He also won the Jeunesse Musicale award which afforded him the opportunity to perform and record as a guest soloist throughout Europe with the Croatian National Radio Jazz Orchestra.
Chet’s post-secondary education began at Marianopolis College where he completed his DEC. He then earned a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Performance at McGill University and was awarded with two Seymour Schulich fellowships to complete his Master’s degree at the same institution. He is now a member of the part-time faculty at McGill University’s Schulich School of Music where he teaches private students and small ensembles.
With the support of two separate grants from the Canada Council for the Arts, he recorded his first CD as a leader, "Sidewalk Etiquette" (Justin Time Records), and then spent a year in New York City studying privately with saxophonist, Mark Turner. "Sidewalk Etiquette" received much critical acclaim, including a 4-star review in Downbeat Magazine and a spot on their list of “The Best Discs of the Year”. His time in New York was well spent attending jam sessions, playing concerts and meeting some of his favourite musicians. Chet's last CD, "Big Sky" (Justin Time Records), represents a new stage in this young artist's career. Since the success of its release in May 2010, Chet’s quartet has appeared at many of Canada’s major festivals, including a concert at the Montreal Jazz Festival, and appearances at the Vancouver and Victoria international jazz festivals. "Big Sky" received much praise from the media, most notably, a 5/5 star review from the Montreal Gazette, which heralded the CD as “a career-defining milestone”. The quartet features Academy and Grammy award nominated guitarist, Ben Charest, Zack Lober on bass and Chet’s brother, Jim, on drums. Chet has recorded or performed alongside many great artists such as Oliver Jones, Guido Basso, Dave Douglas, John Abercrombie, Sam Roberts, Rufus Wainwright, Maria Schneider, Joe Lovano, Jason Moran, Tim Hagans and Bill Stewart, to name a few. Chet’s work can be heard on over one hundred albums.
