Aaron Jensen is an internationally-published composer, arranger and performer based out of Toronto, Canada. His creative offerings have been performed across North and South America, Asia, Europe, and Australia by artists such as Imilonji KaNtu Choral Society (South Africa), Young Adelaide Voices (Australia), Zvonky-Praha (Czech Republic), Voices of Namibia (Namibia), Bobby McFerrin (US), The Elmer Iseler Singers (Canada) and the Elora Festival Singers (Canada). Recent works include commissions for the world-renowned Swingle Singers,Vox Humana, Windago, and Serenade! Choral Festival Washington DC as part of the Eric Daniel Helms New Works Program.
In 2011, Jensen was awarded the grand prize by the International John Lennon Songwriting Competition in the jazz category. He co-founded the vocal ensemble Countermeasure in 2010 – a group he continues to lead as musical director and conductor. In 2009, he completed his first orchestral commission which was premiered in Florence, Italy and has since been performed in Sao Paulo, Brazil; Izmir, Turkey; and Strasbourg, France. His first full-scale work musical theatre work, O.E.D. Dementia, Devotion and the Writing of the Oxford English Dictionary was commissioned by Broadway North Theatre Company and was premiered at the E. A. Rawlinson Center for the Performing Arts in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan in 2006.
Aaron’s music has been played on syndicated radio stations worldwide. He has performed, toured and recorded with various award-winning ensembles including Cadence, Countermeasure, Retrocity, The Watch, Dina Ledi, WIBI, Ruach Singers, and Voci Strane. He is the Artistic Director of SING! The Toronto Vocal Arts Festival. Jensen studied composition at York University.
Discography
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- Canadian Choral Journal - Anacrusis“This past month, I have had a love affair with Canadian composer, Aaron Jensen’s new Centrediscs album, ‘From Sea to Sea’….Gorgeous, pitch perfect, beautiful relaxed vocal production, and effortless intonation. This recording is stellar….I often wonder what the future of choral music is; this album answers that question, recognizing and honouring our choral traditions while boldly and successfully experimenting in contemporary music and the avant garde.”
- Valerie Kolko – RARB (Recorded A Cappella Review Board)
Insanely creative and ORIGINAL .… Jensen expresses a new sophistication in vocal jazz. - Heather Bambrick — JazzFM Toronto .Our hero, Toronto-local Aaron Jensen — I can honestly say this, [he’s] one the most phenomenally talented individuals I have ever met.
- Andrea Warren Musicworks MagazineAaron Jensen’s compositions are innovative and beautiful. His career as a professional singer has made him an adept vocal writer; his choral compositions make use of full spectrums of vocal colour, and his text settings are thoughtful, whimsical, and always clever. The breadth of his experience is noteworthy, and the consistency of his successes, impressive.
- Mouth-Off RadioAll the arrangements are great, but Aaron Jensen’s ‘On the Street Where You Live’ rises to another level entirely…Jensen’s originals are also great. ‘Good Love’ is a particular standout.
- Rebecca Chrisite — RARB - RE Jensen's piece 'Oblong'.Possibly the best composition I’ve heard in nearly 15 years of following the scene.
- Canadian composer/professor, David Lidov“…of the highest standard! O.E.D. is a very good show — stimulating, psychologically complex and intelligent.”
- Notations Magazine - Summer 2015Jensen has an incredible ability to create layers within his pieces…Ingenious.
- Wholenote MagazineComposer/singer/impresario Aaron Jensen is leading the singing revolution.
- Workshop attendee“[Aaron]…opened our eyes to our potential and to the vocal palettes we could use together. He touched on so many things – internalizing rhythm, maintaining focus, manipulating sound, jumping off the page and into music together…”