Grunsky, Jack - Toronto

Tracks

Side 1

		Track Name	Length
	1	A Better Look at Toronto	03:14
	2	Children in a Game
	3	Figure of the Gothic Age
	4	Sweeper Woman
	5	The Poster
	6	Travels

Side 2

		Track Name	Length
	1	Moon Child Song
	2	Catherine
	3	The Lion and the Tamer
	4	Been So Long
	5	Ain't You Got a Thing to Say to Me
	6	Eight O' Clock

Photos

Videos

No Video

Information/Write-up

Childhood years in Toronto: Jack was born in Austria and grew up in Toronto. His parents settled in Canada after crossing the Atlantic on the Queen Elizabeth II ocean liner. Both parents were musicians, so naturally music was a big part of the Grunsky household. Years of cello, piano and recorder lessons provided a musical foundation, but it was during his high school years, that Jack's interests leaned towards guitar, percussion and singing. He played drums in his high school dance band and later picked up the guitar and formed a folk singing trio.

Ten years in Europe: After high school, Jack returned to Austria, where he attended the Academy of Arts in Vienna, but never stopped playing his music. Interestingly, it was during his years as an art student that Jack's music began to flourish. For the next ten years he became involved in the European music scene, as a singer song-writer and in 1966 he formed the folk singing group, Jack's Angels, who recorded four albums for Amadeo Records of Vienna. They were hugely successful but lasted only a few years. After the group disbanded, Jack continued recording three more solo albums for Amadeo Records: The Way I Want To Live, My Ship and Toronto, which was produced by Alexis Korner in London, England, and featured tracks with Mick Taylor on slide guitar. A number of singles reached the top of the European charts. A German publisher took a keen interest in Jack and brought him on board the progressive German label, Kuckuck Records of Munich, where Jack produced three more albums: Buffalo Brian, Newborn Man and the self-titled, Jack Grunsky. In 1974, his seventh recording, Icarus, was released; a double compilation album which included live performances at Vienna's famous Folk Club, Atlantis. Throughout his stay in Europe, Jack toured extensively playing major concert halls and music festivals and was often a featured guest on radio and TV specials. Austria's national radio ORF offered him his own half-hour weekly radio show called, 'Folk With Jack', which served as a vehicle for sharing his passion of folk music.

Back home to Canada: It was precisely this music and the strong pull back to his adopted homeland, Canada, that prompted Jack to return to his musical roots and pursue his career in North America. He connected with record producer Chad Irschick and together they produced an independent album titled, The Patience Of A Sailor (1978). Jack was a regular at coffee houses and folk festivals in Ontario.

Music for children: Now a family man with two daughters, Jack reached a turning point in his career. When asked to conduct a music program for the Toronto Island Montessorri School, a new musical world opened for Jack - 'educating children through music'. With four years of teaching music and working with young children, he developed a new repertoire of songs and soon began to perform live again, touring hundreds of schools in Canada, USA, Europe and as far afield as South Africa. During the next 23 years, Jack Grunsky's name has become synonymous with excellence in children's music. His recordings Imaginary Window, Children Of The Morning, Waves Of Wonder, Dream Catcher, a family concert video; Celebrate! Jack Grunsky Live, Jumpin' Jack, Sing & Dance, Playground, Jack In The Box #1 & Jack In The Box #2, Like A Flower To The Sun & My Beautiful World along with his publications of teacher's activity guides, have received all of the most prestigious awards in children's media, including two Canada's Juno Awards for Best Children's Recording, several US Parent's Choice Gold Awards, multiple placements on the American Library Association's Notable Recording Lists and a Parent's Guide to Children's Media Award.

Current activites: He continues to tour extensively, performing in theatres and family concert settings, International Children's Festivals, and Early Childhood Educational conferences. He is often accompanied by his Chigo Chigo Band, that has come to include his talented daughter, Cosima. He presents many keynotes and workshops at ECE conferences, where his annotated performances invariably provide educators with fresh, new insights for music in the classroom. Numerous television and radio appearances have broadened his appeal both in Canada and the US. Finally, Jack has also developed a symphony show for young audiences called, Welcome To The Orchestra, which he has performed with most of the major professional symphonies in Canada.

His expertise as a record producer and mixer has been recognized by fellow children's artist, Fred Penner. The CD, 'Sing With Fred' won a JUNO award for 'Best Children's Recording' of 2002. He has also mixed jazz recordings by the Toronto based Nehring, Koller, Braid trio and is credited for mixing and co-production for The Heillig Manouevre. Jack has recently also released a NuJazz style instrumental recording titled, Coastlines.

Jack is a constant, creative force in the children's music industry and his songs and music have found their way into homes and classrooms all over the world.

Comments