The Jeff Johnston Trio is a Canadian

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, h ...

band from

Newfoundland and Labrador Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada, in the country's Atlantic region. The province comprises the island of Newfoundland and the continental region of Labrador, having a total size of . As of 2025 the populatio ...

, Canada. The trio, consisting of pianist Jeff Johnston, bassist Jim Vivian and drummer Michael Billard, has been nominated for a 2002 Juno Award and a 2000

East Coast Music Award The East Coast Music Association (ECMA) is a non-profit association purposed towards supporting the Music of Canada's Maritimes, music industry in the Canada, Canadian east coast, i.e., Atlantic Canada. The ECMA hosts the annual East Coast Music ...

History

The Jeff Johnston Trio played its first show in 1983; that year the trio participated in the first Newfoundland Sound Symposium. The band's album ''Nuage'', recorded in 2001, was nominated for a Juno Award as "Best Contemporary Jazz Instrumental". In 2013 the group released its fifth recording, ''Returning'', featuring jazz in the style of 1970s and 1980s European pianists. Johnston has relocated to Montreal, where he has brought together a new group, still called the Jeff Johnston Trio, with bassist Fraser Hollins, and drummer Rich Irwin. Drummer Mike Billard died on September 1, 2024, at the age of 60.

Personnel

*Jeff Johnston (leader) *Mike Billard *Jim Vivian

Discography

*''Nuage'' (2002) (Jeff Johnston, Jim Vivian, Michael Billard, Featuring David Liebman & John Abercrombie) *''Returning'' (2013) (Jeff Johnston, Jim Vivian, Michael Billard)

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Jeff Johnston Trio Musical groups from Newfoundland and Labrador Canadian jazz ensembles Musical groups with year of establishment missing