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About

A career built on music

From the Royal Conservatory to stages across North America — Lenny Graf brings decades of musicianship to every event.

Biography

Lenny Graf portrait
On the bandstand

Lenny Graf comes from a family of professional musicians. His diverse career as a musician, symphony player, composer and orchestra leader has taken him across North America. He has worked with such personalities as Petula Clark, Rich Little, Jack Jones, Dinah Shore and Peter Appleyard among others.

Trained at the Royal Conservatory of Music, the Eastman School of Music and York University, Lenny built a foundation in classical performance that informs every genre he plays today, from chamber recitals to swing-era big band shows.

Lenny performing classical clarinet
Classical chamber set

He currently makes regular appearances in concert, at festivals and corporate events, and his recordings are played on television and radio across Canada and the United States. He is a recipient of the Grenick Award for outstanding potential in the arts and is a multi-instrumentalist on saxophone, flute, clarinet, oboe, piano and vocals.

Lenny leading the big band horns
Big band nights

Whether leading a 15-piece big band, sitting in with a jazz trio or playing flute in a classical group, Len brings the same focus, warmth and showmanship that have defined his career and keep audiences coming back, decade after decade.

Education

  • Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto
  • Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York
  • York University, Bachelor of Fine Arts
  • Creighton Academy of Fine Arts

Honours

  • Parents' Choice Award, 2004
  • Juno Nominee, 1998
  • Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame (“It’s a Hit” recording)
  • Grenick Award Recipient
  • Top-10 hit list, Kids Radio Network (USA)
  • Actor's Equity Showcase

Worked With

  • Petula Clark
  • Dinah Shore
  • Rich Little
  • Sharon, Lois & Bram
  • Peter Appleyard
  • Jack Jones
  • Gordie Tapp

Media

  • CBC
  • YTV, Treehouse
  • Canadian Radio
  • U.S. Radio Networks
  • Television broadcasts
  • Digital platforms

A Family Legacy

Remembering Eddie Graf

You may remember Lenny's father Eddie Graf, Canada's top musical arranger, bandleader and sax/clarinet player. Eddie's band played all the big events in Toronto, and he worked with many of the big stars across Canada and the USA.

"There is not a band around that doesn't have some of Eddie's wonderful arrangements."

Feature Article

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