John Sheard
John Sheard is a Toronto-based pianist, arranger and producer whose understated, song-serving keyboard work has anchored sessions for a long roster of Canadian roots, country and folk artists. He is best known to wider audiences as the longtime music director of Stuart McLean’s Vinyl Cafe touring show.
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- Began his professional recording career in 1975 and has since appeared on several hundred albums as a session and backing pianist.
- Music director of Stuart McLean’s Vinyl Cafe touring orchestra from 1998 onward.
- Has served as music director for CBC Radio programs, including work tied to Peter Gzowski’s Morningside.
- Recorded and performed with Canadian roots and country artists including Ian Tyson, Sylvia Tyson, Russell de Carle, Willie P. Bennett, Ron Hynes and the vocal group Quartette.
- Session credits also span pop and folk artists such as Rita MacNeil, Dan Hill, The Nylons and Tom Paxton.
- Released a series of solo piano albums, among them Jerusalem, Nocturnus, Polyhymnia and 88.
