Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Country

:

Canada

Birth

:

April 12, 1945 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Death

:

August 27, 2007 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Vocal

 

Doug Riley was a Canadian composer, arranger, and pianist who was born on April 26, 1945, in Toronto, Ontario. He was the son of a jazz musician and grew up in a musical family. His father, Ray Riley, was a saxophonist and clarinetist who played in big bands and small groups in Toronto. Doug's mother, Betty Riley, was a singer who performed with her husband's bands. Doug began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. He studied classical piano with Boris Berlin and jazz piano with Oscar Peterson. He also studied composition and arranging with Phil Nimmons and Gordon Delamont. In the 1960s, Doug became a sought-after session musician in Toronto and played on many recordings by Canadian artists. He also played in jazz clubs and festivals and was a member of the jazz-rock band Dr. Music. In 1970, he formed the jazz-fusion group Manteca with percussionist Matt Zimbel. The group became one of Canada's most popular jazz acts and won several Juno Awards. Doug was also a prolific composer and arranger. He wrote music for film, television, and commercials, as well as for his own albums and those of other artists. He arranged music for symphony orchestras, big bands, and small groups, and his arrangements were performed by many Canadian and international artists. One of Doug's most famous compositions is "The Hockey Theme," which he co-wrote with Dolores Claman in 1968. The instrumental piece became the theme song for Hockey Night in Canada and is considered an iconic piece of Canadian music. Doug also wrote the music for the CBC television series The National and the theme song for the CTV series Canada AM. In addition to his work in jazz and popular music, Doug was also a respected classical composer. He wrote several works for orchestra, including "Concerto for Piano and Orchestra" and "Symphony No. 1." He also wrote chamber music, choral music, and solo piano pieces. Doug was known for his versatility and his ability to blend different musical styles. He was equally at home playing jazz, classical, and pop music, and his compositions and arrangements often combined elements of these genres. He was also known for his sense of humor and his love of puns, which he often incorporated into his music. Doug continued to perform and compose music until his death on August 27, 2007, at the age of 62. He left behind a legacy of music that continues to be celebrated by musicians and fans around the world.

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