BIO
Jason Stillman is a Canadian saxophonist and music educator based in Montreal.
Jason began studying jazz in Vancouver in 1994, sitting in with anyone who would let him, while studying formally at Vancouver Community College. He later left to pursue a music degree at York University in Toronto. A city that offered a variety of new musical opportunities for Stillman, and he gained much experience playing in various Afro Beat and Soca ensembles, in addition to several jazz outfits.
“Stillman is an elegant straight-ahead soloist,” says Jack Bowers from All About Jazz, “whose tone and phrasing are remindful of such contemporaries as Vincent Herring,
Kenny Garrett, and Bobby Watson, with an occasional nod to earlier trailblazers including Lou Donaldson, Herb Geller, and Frank Morgan. The references, however, are always oblique, as Stillman takes care not to emulate anyone.”
In 2006, Jason moved to Montreal to pursue a master’s degree at McGill University, where he met the people who would influence his work for years to come, Remi Bolduc and Andre White. He also began teaching at Selwyn House School, the McGill Faculty of Music, and the McGill Conservatory, where he remained for several years.
He returned to Toronto in 2012 to earn a doctoral degree at the University of Toronto. His thesis examined the importance of the individual “voice” in jazz performance. His research during this time synthesized the work of Ingrid Monson, Paul Berliner, Steve Coleman, Tia DeNora, and Jeff Packman, looking closely at the relationship between individuality and audibility; music as language; and musical canons.
During this time, he also composed extensively for the UofT 12TET, led by Terry Promane. His “animated, inflexibly swinging (composition) opens Rebirth, the debut album by the University of Toronto's snug and well upholstered 12TET. That's admittedly a tough act to follow…” says critic Jack Bowers. “You'd be hard-pressed to find a more congenial curtain raiser.”
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In September 2022, Stillman co-founded the Montreal School of Jazz following the closure of the McGill Conservatory, where he had worked as an instructor and Area Chair of the Jazz Area.
Stillman has shared the stage with Remi Bolduc, Andre White, Kelly Jefferson, and Joe Sullivan, among others. Prelude, his debut quartet recording as a leader, features Josh Rager, David Laing, and Paul Rushka and garnered a 3.5-star (out of 4) review in All About Jazz.
MUSICIAN REVIEWS
Praise for Prelude
ALL ABOUT JAZZ
"Stillman is an elegant straight-ahead soloist whose tone and phrasing are remindful of such contemporaries as Vincent Herring, Kenny Garrett, and Bobby Watson, with an occasional nod to earlier trailblazers including Lou Donaldson, Herb Geller, and Frank Morgan. The references, however, are always oblique, as Stillman takes care not to emulate anyone." Jack Bowers - All About Jazz
TOUTE L'ACTUALITÉ JAZZ DU QUÉBEC
Visiblement moderne dans son approche, Stillman s’invite chez vous avec un son qui est loin d'être scolaire et des compositions originales. Pensons au très beau Quartet Blues à la sonorité ample, au Suicide Squeeze ou Tribute qui est un hommage à ses maîtres, le travail de groupe est nettement prometteur. Comme l’âme est bien présente ainsi que la densité des architectures musicales, il faut plusieurs écoutes serrées pour comprendre la démarche artistique. Si cela manque parfois un peu de swing, nous saluons cette démarche souvent novatrice qui porte vers.
TRANSCRIPTIONS
Free pdf transcriptions for sax.
