Sam Kirmayer

Guitarist and composer Sam Kirmayer, plays with “fearlessness and momentum”– Katie Malloch (CBC Jazz Beat & Tonic). One of CBC Music’s picks for the “35 best Canadian jazz musicians under 35”, his playing has been described as “sharp and clean melodic lines peppered with exquisite chording and comping… never overstated and always expressed with good taste”– C. Michael Bailey (All About Jazz). He has appeared on over a dozen recordings including three as a leader. His most recent release, In This Moment (Cellar Music, 2022), which sees him stepping out as composer and arranger with a program of new original works for a sextet of heavy hitters on the Montreal scene. 

Kirmayer has performed at clubs and festivals across Canada as well as in London and Paris. He  is an in-demand accompanist, including a longstanding collaboration with vocalist Laura Anglade which has received a Prix Opus and a Juno nomination. He has performed with notable Canadian and American jazz artists such as David Hazeltine, Ben Paterson, Ira Coleman, Taurey Butler, Kevin Dean, Mike Allen, Jodi Proznick, Josh Rager, and more. Sam is also an active educator, teaching at Concordia University.