WILLIAM CARN

William Carn is recognized as one of Canada’s most distinctive and compelling voices on the trombone. A JUNO Award–winning musician, he has built a career defined by fearless creativity, versatility, and a deep devotion to musical storytelling.

As a performer, Carn has appeared alongside international jazz luminaries such as Maria Schneider, Kenny Wheeler, and Randy Brecker, while also collaborating with Canadian icons including Phil Dwyer, Mike Murley, and Don Thompson. His artistry extends far beyond the jazz stage: he has recorded on more than 300 albums, contributed to film scores and jingles, performed in pit orchestras for major productions from West Side Story to Wicked, and shared the spotlight with global stars such as Shakira, Rufus Wainwright, and Aretha Franklin.

Equally celebrated as a composer and bandleader, Carn has shaped a powerful body of original work through ensembles like the Carn Davidson 9, his acclaimed quintet, and his most recent project, CHOICES, which explores electronic textures in jazz. His music — spanning from sweeping jazz orchestra arrangements to intimate ensemble pieces — has been performed across Canada and abroad, earning critical praise and multiple JUNO nominations.

A devoted educator, Carn has mentored countless emerging musicians through his teaching at the University of Toronto, and workshops worldwide, from Hong Kong to Western Canada.

Whether leading a band, contributing to boundary-pushing recordings, or anchoring a symphonic brass section, William Carn consistently brings virtuosity, imagination, and heart. His work continues to affirm the trombone’s capacity for depth, lyricism, and limitless possibility.