Doug Riley
Encyclopedia
Doug Riley, CM
(April 24, 1945 – August 27, 2007) was a Canadian musician. Born in Toronto
, Ontario
and informally referred to as "Doctor Music", he spent two decades with the Famous People Players
as its musical director, besides his participation on over 300 album projects in various genres. Riley died of a heart attack on August 27, 2007.
Riley was a graduate of the University of Toronto
and studied with the Royal Conservatory of Music
.
’ album, Doing His Thing. In a 2006 interview with the Toronto Star, Doug Riley said “Ray Charles was my first influence outside the boogie-woogie and stride pianists like Albert Ammons and Fats Waller”. After the completion of the album, Ray Charles asked Doug Riley to join his band but Riley turned down the offer and decided to stay in Toronto to continue his musical career.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
(April 24, 1945 – August 27, 2007) was a Canadian musician. Born in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
and informally referred to as "Doctor Music", he spent two decades with the Famous People Players
Famous People Players
Famous People Players is a black light puppetry theatre company. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and tours worldwide. It is a non-profit organization which employs people with physical and intellectual disabilities...
as its musical director, besides his participation on over 300 album projects in various genres. Riley died of a heart attack on August 27, 2007.
Riley was a graduate of the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
and studied with the Royal Conservatory of Music
Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto)
The Royal Conservatory of Music, also known as The Royal Conservatory, is one of the largest and most respected music education institutions in the world...
.
Leader of Dr. Music: Doug Riley
Doug Riley was born and raised in Toronto. At the age of two he was diagnosed with polio. He began to study piano at the age of three as a way of coping with his physical disability and providing him with a means of self expression. He played with the Silhouettes, an R&B band, while in his teens. He attended the University of Toronto and graduated with a Bachelor of Music in 1965. He went on to do his postgraduate work on the music of the Iroquois. In 1969, Riley was the arranger and keyboardist on Ray CharlesRay Charles
Ray Charles Robinson , known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records...
’ album, Doing His Thing. In a 2006 interview with the Toronto Star, Doug Riley said “Ray Charles was my first influence outside the boogie-woogie and stride pianists like Albert Ammons and Fats Waller”. After the completion of the album, Ray Charles asked Doug Riley to join his band but Riley turned down the offer and decided to stay in Toronto to continue his musical career.
Awards and recognition
- 1981: nominee, Juno AwardJuno AwardThe Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
s, Best Jazz Album: Tommy Ambrose at Last (Tommy AmbroseTommy AmbroseTommy Ambrose is a Canadian singer-songwriter.He was a gospel music singer in his youth, performing on radio stations such as CFRB and CKEY and at Youth for Christ events...
with the Doug Riley Band) - 1993-2000: Jazz Organist of the Year, Jazz Report Awards
- 2003: member, Order of CanadaOrder of CanadaThe Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...