Tyler Hornby

To say that Tyler Hornby practices what he preaches would be an understatement. An instructor in the jazz program at Mount Royal University, in which he teaches drum set as well as jazz history and theory, the Calgary native is also a full-time musician outside the classroom. A prominent jazz drummer, Hornby has only recently spent time in the stud... io working on his third solo album, A Road to Remember ("or fourth," he says, suggesting that Hornby himself has a hard time keeping track of all that's on his plate). He also travelled to Europe to record and tour with a duo of Polish musicians and, for the past two years, held the drummer's stool in local collective Sillian & Young. That group has done the most to raise Hornby's profile, as Sillian & Young have recently been nominated for Group of the Year at the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards, and have been picked to play the Alberta House in Vancouver during this month's Olympic Games. "It just feels great to be getting recognized," says Hornby of the group's growing success. "It's been interesting to see a western group getting noticed for following a traditionally eastern influence and I'm just happy to be a part of it." With so many sides to his life as a musician, it's a wonder that Hornby doesn't show the inevitable stress that can come with such multitasking. In fact, he exudes confidence and calm at all times and even excitement when talking about any given project he has going on, including teaching. That aspect, much like his other interests, came about rather naturally. "I really feel like teaching finds you and I can attest to that," says Hornby. "To see the progress that the students are making as you teach them, to watch them grow, it's extremely satisfying to me - to know that you've been part of someone's evolution as a musician and that you made a difference. That's what I enjoy." Besides teaching at Mount Royal, Hornby is also frequently called up for private lessons and festival workshops. His commitment to fostering his own musical journey, ...Read More