Here is a review of Joel's "Tribute to Louis Armstrong" he performed with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra in January of 2018.

 

"The Edmonton music community has known Joel Gray as a superb jazz and pops trumpet player for many years now, so the fact that he has chosen Louis Armstrong as the subject of tribute is logical, and fortunately, astute. Joel’s salute is no rote re-creation of Armstrong’s performances, but is his own spontaneous and virtuosic evocation of Armstrong’s style and panache. And if that weren’t enough, Gray demonstrates a wonderful way with Armstrong’s signature singing – a bonus to his wonderful salute that even I, who has watched and listened to Joel for a long time, did not see coming. Joel’s tribute has the musicianship, and the charm, of the iconic entertainer."

 

D.T. Baker

Musicologist & Interpreter

Edmonton Symphony Orchestra | Francis Winspear Centre for Music

Tommy Banks Centre for Musical Creativity

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