Joe Sealy, one of Canada’s most highly regarded jazz musicians, whose music is beloved by audiences from coast to coast and around the world, is coming with his Jazzbirds to Orangeville this Friday, February 5, as part of the Orangeville Concert Association season. They’ll be performing at the Opera House at 8 p.m.

Joe performed for the OCA seven years ago in an acclaimed show called ‘The Nearness of You’ with Heather Bambrick, and also performed at the Opera House soon after its opening. He has a one-hour program on Jazz FM (CJRT 91.1) every Tuesday featuring his contact with jazz artists.

Joe’s contribution to Canadian jazz was formally recognized this past month in the Governor General’s Order of Canada Appointments, where he was appointed as a Member. The citation read, “For his contribution as an actor, accompanist, musician and composer, notably for his acclaimed ‘Africville Suite.’ The Order of Canada is one of out country’s highest civilian honours established in 1967 during Canada’s centennial year. It recognizes a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to community and service to the nation.

Over the past several years Joe has been touring his Juno award winning CD release, “Africville Suite.’ The tour has taken Joe to countless cities including Oslo, Copenhagen and Washington D.C., where he played at the Canadian Embassy.

Sealy began his career curing the late 1950s in jazz groups and/or show bands. Moving in 1967 to Halifax, he served as music director or consultant for several CBC YV series, played organ in the Unusuals (and R&B trio), and was a pianist in local studio orchestras and hotel lounges. In 1976, he went Toronto where he worked

extended engagements jazz rooms and lounges (e.intermittently 1980-3 Errol’s) and served as musical director for a succession of musicals through 1980s, including Spring Thaw, Indigo and Ain’t Misbehavin’. Reserved tickets ($30 adults, $15 for students) available from the Theatre Orangeville box office, 519- 942-3423, while supplies last.