Member of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: April 10, 2008

Paul Bley, C.M. (deceased)
Cherry Valley, New York, United States of America

One of Canada’s most outstanding jazz pianists, Paul Bley is a renowned innovator. Called a “master of risk,” he was one of a handful of musicians in the 1950s who began to intentionally break the rules, creating free jazz. His leading-edge achievements include performing the first live synthesizer concert at New York City’s Philharmonic Hall in 1968. His prodigious touring and his recording career have brought him international acclaim, and he has played with many of the most important acoustic and electric jazz musicians, across all genres. He has also served as a powerful influence on later generations of musicians.