Conservatory Canada Honours Peter Appleyard with 2012 Honourary Licentiate Diploma

Canadian jazz great to accept award at fall convocation November 24 in London, Ontario

LONDON, ON, Sept. 14, 2012 /CNW/ - Conservatory Canada is pleased to announce the awarding of its 2012 Honourary Licentiate Diploma to Canadian jazz legend, vibraphonist Peter Appleyard.

Appleyard will be on hand to accept the diploma at this year's national convocation, held November 24 in London, Ontario. The citation will be delivered by Dan Donaldson.

"Peter is a Canadian jazz icon, who has done so much to bring awareness and respect to jazz and jazz musicians," says Conservatory Canada national executive director, Victoria Warwick. "His music has brought so much joy to so many people and we are delighted to be able to honour him in this way."

Born in England, Appleyard became a professional musician as a drummer during World War II.

"I started out listening to jazz records as a teenager. That was my only contact with it because of the war," he remembers. "That was where I heard the vibraphone for the first time - on records. I'd never seen one, but I heard the instrument and loved the sound of it. That encouraged me to find one and start to play."

Appleyard immigrated to Toronto in 1950. He started his own band in 1956 and appeared frequently on television and radio. A backstage conversation with Benny Goodman in 1972 led to him joining the renowned bandleader for almost a decade of globetrotting tours.

Now in his eighties, Appleyard shows no signs of slowing down. He performed at this summer's Montreal Jazz Festival and released two albums earlier this year, Sophisticated Ladies and The Lost 1974 Sessions.

"Jazz is the only major art form to come out of North America," he notes. "Consequently, it's not a passing fancy. It'll be here forever."

Conservatory Canada has conferred an annual Honourary Licentiate Diploma since 1988. Appleyard joins a distinguished list of past honourees, which includes Gwen Beamish (2011), Maureen Forrester (2010), Robert Murray Gordon McConnell (2009), Senator Tommy Banks (2008), Jeff Healey (2007) and Mary Lou Fallis (2006).

About Conservatory Canada
Conservatory Canada is a national charitable organization that focuses on advancing the Performing Arts through music education. With roots dating back to 1891, our accredited centre of excellence promotes musical achievement through a comprehensive program of study, evaluation and recognition for students and teachers in every region of Canada.

SOURCE: Conservatory Canada

Victoria Warwick, Conservatory Canada National Executive Director,
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