“Dueling Pianos” celebrates the beautiful relationship between a father and a son, nurtured through the pain and joy of reaching for and attaining excellence. The father is Eddie Bullen, the well-known Toronto pianist, composer, arranger and producer (Thunder Dome Sounds) who, in the 1970s, immigrated to Canada from his native Grenada, and whose own father imparted a deep knowledge of music and musicians. The son is Quincy Bullen, an accomplished pianist, composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist (drums, bass, guitar, keys) and singer.
As the musicians interlace their story with the classic sounds of jazz, classical music, calypso, reggae and the blues, “Dueling Pianos” shows how Eddie prepared his son to embrace his historical and musical roots. You’ll be treated to masterful renditions of iconic works like Oscar Peterson’s “Hymn to Freedom” and John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps”. And you’ll be reminded that music has a central place in our lives, inspiring us in countless ways.
As CBC Montreal journalist Ainslie MacLellan explained last February, “The father-son relationship not only forms the backbone of Eddie and Quincy’s on-stage banter, but also drives their style of performance — part duet, part duel. They face each other, each behind a grand piano, staring intently to try and follow the other’s moves.
‘There are points in time where we have to work together,’ says Quincy. ‘And there are other times when it’s a little freer, when we can spar with each other.’
He adds: ‘It’s like a heated debate. Sometimes you end up laughing about how much you disagree.’”
“Father and Son – Dueling Pianos” is part of a 2019 tour celebrating Black History month and is proudly sponsored by TD Bank.
Pianist, composer, arranger and producer
Eddie Bullen is in every way, a standout amongst his generation of multi-talented artists. Eddie’s lengthy career has yielded an abundance of awards and recognition for his outstanding talents. From his first album, ‘Nocturnal Affair’ to his most recent ‘Spice Island’, Eddie gives his audience a taste of contemporary jazz, flavoured with Caribbean rhythms.
Since his move to Toronto in 1980 from Grenada, Eddie has worked with Caribbean, Canadian and American artists like Melba Moore, Anslem Douglas, Byron Lee, Maestro, David Rudder, Liberty Silver, Deborah Cox and Dee Dee Bridgewater. He is also a composer and arranger for TV, Radio and Films. His work has been heard on City TV, YTV, Love & Hip Hop (American Television Series) and Wine TV Australia.
To date Eddie Bullen has produced over 150 albums and is currently working on several new ventures through his record company Thunder Dome Sounds and publishing company QDB music. Eddie is always on the lookout for cutting edge new innovative artists.
Eddie’s two sons Quincy and Tre-Michael are both following in their father’s footsteps. Quincy, the elder son has recorded three CDs under the Thunder Dome Sounds label: On Q, Quintessential Boys, Under Age (which was featured in high rotation on XM satellite radio) and Quantumplations.
Through his production company Thunder Dome Sounds, Eddie is fulfilling his passion for nurturing youth talent through a high school co-op program he launched in 1986. Challenges like this keep Eddie Bullen growing artistically and personally.
Quincy Bullen is an accomplished pianist, composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist (drums, bass, guitar, Piano) and singer. Extraordinarily talented, with a great sense of timing, Quincy ‘wows’ audiences across Canada, the USA and the Caribbean. His style is jazz with a funky vibe. His repertoire includes his own version of popular standards from jazz, R&B, Pop and soul as well as his original compositions. He has been a featured performer at many large music festivals and venues in Canada and the Caribbean. Quincy has been splitting his time between Toronto and Los Angeles. He also works as a producer and DJ.
Quincy is a founding member of the Quintessential Boys (a successful teen-jazz band). Quincy’s band now includes a mixture of up and coming musicians and seasoned jazz professionals.
Working with his father, Juno award winning Eddie Bullen, Quincy has released three solo albums, On Q, Quantumplations and Poise Debris. “On Q” is mostly original material featuring: Larnell Lewis on drums, Alex Toth on bass and Rob Christian on sax. The CD demonstrates Quincy’s funky jazz vibe and his sensitivity as a composer. “Quantumplations” A solo experimental album shedding light on Quincy’s producing and composing abilities. Many influences include jazz coupled with modern Electronic Dance Music and RnB. –“Poise Debris” is the title of Quincy Bullen’s third solo compilation. Completely original, balanced, intermingling Blues, Funk, soul, rock and a touch of jazz, as he gathers up the broken fragments of life scattered bits and pieces.
Quincy is also in the process of developing a new album with his Father. This CD will merge the generations and highlight Quincy’s love of jazz, electronic and Pop music with his father’s the Caribbean and contemporary jazz sensibilities.
Quincy and his Dad are also continually refining their two-man show, ‘Dueling Pianos – Father and Son’ for the stage. With the addition of Q’s guitar playing and brother Tre Michael Bullen on drums, the Bullen family leave audiences in excitement. He is also touring and doing gigs developing a unique sound with various musicians, coupled with all of his inspirations defining Quincy Bullen as a True Artist.
Rent The Aeolian
The Aeolian is a beautiful, unique, award-winning location to host your event.
While particularly renowned for its acoustic/live music presentations, the Aeolian is a versatile facility and can also host conferences and fundraisers.
Give the Gift of Aeolian
Looking for a unique and fun gift for a special someone?
Look no further than a gift card for The Aeolian. This is a perfect gift for any lover of music and the arts.