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William Carn
Trombonist, Composer, Teacher
Trombonist William Carn has emerged as one of Canada’s leading contemporary jazz
trombonists and composers. He has performed internationally as well as throughout Canada.
His debut release, Other Stories, was nominated for a 2007 Juno Award as Traditional Jazz
Album of the Year. He has also been nominated for Trombonist of the Year at the National Jazz
Awards from 2004 to 2008.
As a bandleader, William currently leads several groups; the William Carn Quintet and a new
quartet Run Stop Run, both featuring some of Canada’s finest musicians. The William Carn
Quintet includes Kelly Jefferson, saxophones; David Braid, piano; Jon Maharaj, bass; and
Anthony Michelli, drums. The WCQ has toured across Canada and has become an established
fixture in the Canadian jazz landscape. Run Stop Run showcases a trombone and guitar frontline
along with bass and drums. This exciting group features the talents of Don Scott, guitar; Jon
Maharaj, bass; and Ethan Ardelli, drums.
He has performed and recorded with jazz artists including Rob McConnell, Randy Brecker, David
Binney, Kenny Wheeler, Tim Hagans, Barry Harris, Carla Bley, Steve Swallow, Vince Mendoza,
Don Braden, Mike Murley, Hilario Duran, Andrew Downing, Jim McNeely, and John Clayton.
William also enjoys a diverse freelance career in Toronto and is a regular member of the Stratford
Shakespeare Festival orchestra. Studio and concert engagements have included Aretha
Franklin, Feist, Sarah Slean, Hawksley Workman, Melissa McClelland, Luc Doucet, Emily
Haynes, Kathleen Edwards, Royal Wood, Matt Dusk, Jon Secada, Peabo Bryson, Sheena
Easton, Christopher Cross, Dionne Taylor, Michael Kaeshammer, Jill Barber, Emile-Claire
Barlow, Sophie Millman, Jeff Healy, Colin James. William has also been featured on over 200
commercial recordings as a performer.
Currently William is a member of many ensembles including David Clayton-Thomas, Hilario
Duran Big Band, Kieran Overs Eleven, the Bernie Senensky Septet, the Andy Ballantyne Large
Ensemble (ABLE), the Paul Read Orchestra (PRO), the Art of Jazz Orchestra.
William is a Rath Trombone Artist as well as a clinician and teacher. William has taught
throughout Canada for such distinguished institutions as the University of Victoria, University of
Saskatewan, University of Regina, Capilano College, Grant MacEwan College, Mohawk College,
as well as for the Toronto, York and Etobicoke boards of Education. He is a regular faculty
member of the National Music Camp as well as an instructor for both the University of Toronto
Jazz Studies program and Humber College.