Award winning pianist and composer Adrean Farrugia is one of Canada’s most distinct voices on the piano.
Adrean comes from a musical family. His father Bruno is a professional drummer in the music scene. His grandfather Joseph Ivan Arsenault was a Maritime fiddler. Adrean studied classical piano with Shirley Coit and Donald Cook before discovering a love of jazz music in college.
In 1992 Adrean enrolled in the Mohawk College Applied music program studying with Mark Eisenman, Dave McMurdo, Mike Malone, Christopher Hunt, and Brian Dickinson. In 1996 Adrean continued his Education at the University of Toronto Jazz Performance program studying with Gary Williamson, Kevin Turcotte, and Phil Nimmons. Also in 1996, Adrean attended the Banff Centre for the Arts’ Summer Jazz Workshop where he studied and performed with Don Thompson, Hugh Fraser, Kenny Wheeler, Pat and Joe Labarbera, and Norma Winstone. Adrean has also received private instruction from jazz legends Cedar Walton, Geoff Keezer, Benny Green, and British pianist John Taylor.
Adrean is currently pianist for such diverse projects as the Matt Dusk Band, the Brad Goode Quartet, The Ernesto Cervini Quartet (featuring saxophonist Joel Frahm), Tim Shia’s ‘The Worst Pop Band Ever’, the Bob Brough Quartet and the Darcy Hepner Big Band. Adrean also works regularly with his wife, vocalist Sophia Perlman.
Adrean has appeared on more than 30 recordings to date and his debut recording as a leader Adrean Farrugia v1.0: Live at the Senator was released in the summer of 2006 on ROMHOG RECORDS. It features his skills as both a pianist and composer. This album has enjoyed regular play on Toronto’s JazzFM and the CBC as has led to appearances on JazzFM’s ‘Joe Sealy’s Duets’ as well as a feature article in Performance Magazine by jazz journalist Geoff Chapman.
A regular on the New York City club circuit, Joel Frahm has appeared alongside musicians such as Brad Mehldau, Bill Charlap and Matt Wilson and has recorded with Diane Schuur, Kurt Elling, Jane Monheit and other top jazz artists. Fans know him for his big tenor sound — fluid, inventive and filled with passion. Downbeat Magazine’s critics’ poll has named him a rising star.
