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Doug Riley

Doug Riley, also known as “Dr Music” is an accomplished composer, arranger, pianist, organist and record producer. Born in Toronto, Doug Riley has studied at the Royal Conservatory of Music, Paul de Markey in Montreal and the faculty of music at the University of Toronto.

In his teens Doug played with the R & B group The Silhouettes at the Toronto nightclub the Blue Note. By the time he was 20 he was also a prolific jingle composer. He has also composed music scores for the ballet “Lies”, “Wishes And Dreams” and feature films “Foxy Lady”, “Cannonball girls”, “Shoot”, and “Dreams Of America”.

In 1968 Doug was the arranger and second keyboard player for Ray Charles’s LP “Doing His Thing”. He also arranged music and played piano and organ for David Clayton- Thomas, Dan Hill, Moe Koffman, Gordon Lightfoot, and Anne Murray.

Doug formed the band Dr. Music in 1972 and released 3 LP's on the now defunct GRT Record label. The act was originally created as background singers for The Ray Stevens Show. When the show was cancelled, the group toured Western Canada and became the leading jazz exponent in Toronto through the 1970’s.

In addition to his recordings with Dr. Music, Doug has released solo projects “Dreams”, “Freedom”, “Con Alma”, “A Lazy Afternoon”, as well as a series of live recordings of pop music classics for the CBC Radio program “Finkleman's 45’s”.

Doug has received the jazz organist of the year award at the annual Jazz Report awards ceremony 8 years in a row (1993-2000) and is acknowledged as a peer to masters such as Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff and Joey Defrancesco.

In 2003, Doug was named a member of the Order of Canada. He continues to play live throughout Ontario and Montreal with the Doug Riley Quartet and as a guest with various other performers.

In 2006, Marshmellow records released “Stride”, a stunning CD recorded by Doug along with Tyler Yarema and John Roby. The music is a mix of originals and standards featuring solo, duo and trio performances.

For additional info, please contact [email protected]

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Stride

Marshmellow Records
2006

buy

Freedom

Posi-Tone
1990

buy

Dreams

Posi-Tone
1976

buy

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