Jerry Granelli

Jerry Granelli was one of the most widely recognized and highly regarded musicians in Nova Scotia. He was a supportive community leader and mentor for musicians and artists of all ages and backgrounds. Jerry was instrumental in the establishment of the Halifax Jazz Festival (formally the Atlantic Jazz Festival), which over the past 30 years has evolved to become a Signature Event in Halifax and the largest music festival in the Maritimes. Jerry is also a founder and longstanding creative director of the Creative Music Workshop, an intensive summer program that has been a flagship education program of the Halifax Jazz Festival for the past 21 years.

With a career that spanned 60 years, Jerry had the opportunity to perform with the likes of Charlie Haden, Mose Allison, Sonny Stitt, Sly Stone, Ornette Coleman and Vince Guaraldi. Jerry has recorded over 30 albums. His prolific and genre-crossing music has been recognized by institutions such as the Junos, The Grammy Awards, the National Library of Congress Sound Archives, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Jerry passed away in 2021 and in his honor a new initiative was established: The Jerry Granelli Legacy Fund (JGLF). This is the legacy of Halifax-based, world-renowned percussionist, improviser, educator and mentor, the man - Jerry Granelli. It is dedicated to carrying on his unique approach to teaching and to the nurturing of the improvising arts community he created in Nova Scotia. 

More information: https://cfns-fcne.ca/jerry-granelli-legacy-fund/