Justin Bois

On the eve of a vigorous eightieth birthday, the most French of American musicians has chosen the Musée de la Musique to assemble a host of young artists who are dear to him: William Christie has watched over their budding skills, and they have already become masters!

Oliver Theophilus Jones, OC CQ (born September 11, 1934 in Little Burgundy, Montreal, Quebec) is a Canadian jazz pianist, organist, composer and arranger. Born to Barbadian parents, Oliver Jones began his career as a pianist at the age of five, studying with Mme Bonner in Little Burgundy's Union United Church, made famous by Trevor W. Payne's Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir. He continued to develop his talent through his studies with Oscar Peterson's sister Daisy Peterson Sweeney starting at eight years old. In addition to performing at Union United Church when he was a child, he also performed a solo novelty act at the Cafe St. Michel as well as other clubs and theaters in the Montreal area. "I had a trick piano act, dancing, doing the splits, playing from underneath the piano, or with a sheet over the keys."

On the eve of a vigorous eightieth birthday, the most French of American musicians has chosen the Musée de la musique to assemble a host of young artists who are dear to him: William Christie has watched over their budding skills, and they have already become masters! This programme celebrates the composers he has so passionately championed and, in some cases, brought back to life. Happy Birthday, Bill!