Bruce Tournay has been impressing Canadian and international audiences with his effortless piano performance and his powerful voice since 1988. Bruce began as a member of the acclaimed Hamilton All Star Jazz Band, in which he won gold for performance at the Calgary Music Festival.
Since that time Bruce’s work has been featured on City TV as well as spotlighted on 91.1 Jazz FM, winning listeners locally and internationally in venues from pubs to soft seat theatres. In 2012 Bruce performed at the 100th Grey Cup backing Dave Rave of Teenage Head. Bruce has performed at Toronto’s Massey Hall behind Wayne Brady, Brad Garrett and Russell Peters as a part of the Just For Laughs Gala. Also, Bruce performs with Marie Bottrell (Canadian Country Music Hall Of Fame inductee) and has recorded with Bill Dillon (Robbie Robertson, Sarah Maclachlan). Bruce has made appearances in the TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival, both at the Rex and Ten Feet Tall. In 2009 Bruce guested in a televised special alongside Pat Collins, Kevin Dempsey, Darcey Hepner, Michael Stuart and Mike Malone to name a few. Bruce has also enjoyed great success entertaining for Carnival Cruise Lines, where he delighted audiences with his own carefully crafted songs and his unique twist on piano bar favourites.
Currently Bruce can be seen performing solo or with groups from duo to quintet under his leadership. As well, Bruce is sought after as a sideman and has appeared with Norman Marshall Villeneuve, Tommy Ambrose, Mark Laforme, Jacob Moon, Marty Edwards, Buddy Aquilina, Trinity Mpho, Tuba4 and the Jazz Connection Big Band.
Apart from his live experience, Bruce is in demand as a studio musician, having sung for the who’s who of radio and corporate jingles, including Canadian Tire, Proctor and Gamble and Blue Line Stationery. Bruce has also made guest appearances on over 30 other artists’ releases. Separate of his contribution to other artists’ works, Bruce was honoured with a F.A.C.T.O.R. grant for his original compositions.
2014 brings something new; Bruce has just completed penning two one act musicals called Shane’s Shoes and Heroin. As well, Bruce has mounted a Billy Joel and other pop piano greats tribute called Billy Joel and The Piano Men.
In addition, Bruce is an on staff musician at Compasspoint Bible Church in Burlington Ontario, which hosts a contemporary service involving a seven piece combo. Further, in 2009, Bruce was asked to coach the TABB 5 choral ensemble that fronts theToronto All Star Big Band. Bruce has received the Humanities Medal For Special Achievement from McMaster University and the Hamilton Spectator Scholarship (Mohawk College).
