Artist description The smooth-jazz ensemble of Johnston and Lear presents original instrumental works infused with memorable, fresh melodies supported by lush harmonies and an infectious groove in highly polished performances.

Music Style Smooth Jazz / Adult Contemporary / Instrumental

Musical Influences Keith Jarrett; Brad Mehldau; Piltch and Davis; David Benoit

Similar Artists Piltch and Davis; Jim Brickman; David Benoit

Artist History “I’m looking for a bass player with whom I can develop a relationship.” So began the first telephone conversation between pianist Gary Johnston and bassist Denise Lear back in 1993. Understanding the importance of this musical relationship was not lost on either musician with such historic examples as pianist Oscar Peterson and bassist Ray Brown, Keith Jarrett and Gary Peacock, as well as Carla Bley and Steve Swallow. But neither Gary nor Denise could foresee what was to follow. They began performing as a duo and soon formed various groups with singers and instrumentalists, backed up jazz singer Mary Barry, provided music for the theatre as well as the concert hall and club venues and performed on TV and radio both locally and nationally. Eventually that relationship blossomed not only musically but also romantically and on July 20, 1996 they were married. Since then they have continued to pursue both musical and romantic interests together and the result has been the CD “ In A Heartbeat” to be released May 2003. Along with Jason Hayward on saxophones, Patrick Boyle on trumpet and Richard Spurrell on drums, the duo presents original instrumental material composed by Gary and performed in a smooth jazz, adult contemporary format. Gary and Denise have developed a stage show not only showcasing the music from the album but also relating their romantic experiences together in a personable, humorous fashion leaving their audiences feeling “warm and fuzzy” and always wanting more.

Group Members Gary Johnston - Pianist / composer / arranger Denise Lear - Bass Jason Hayward - Saxophones Richard Spurrell - Drums and Percussion Patrick Boyle - Trumpet

Instruments Piano, Bass, Saxophones, Drums, Trumpet

Albums In A Heartbeat

Location St. John's, Newfoundland - Canada

Copyright notice. All material on MP3.com is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this material and make reasonable number of copies of this material only for your own personal use. You may not otherwise reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner(s).