Algoma Conservatory of Music presents cello trumpet duet

Algoma Conservatory of Music kicks off its 30th season featuring cello trumpet duet, with Ofra Harnoy playing cello and Mike Herriott playing piano and trumpet.

Their performances run on Nov. 15 and 16; tickets are $20-35.

Read below to learn more about the artists.

Ofra Harnoy

Ofra Harnoy has established herself as one of the greatest cellists on the world’s concert stage. She is one of Canada’s most celebrated personalities and is a member of the Order of Canada. By joining the international artists' roster of RCA Victor Red Seal in 1987, Ms. Harnoy became the first Canadian classical instrumental soloist since Glen Gould to gain an exclusive worldwide contract with a major record label.

Ofra Harnoy was born in Israel and immigrated to Canada at age six. She studied with William Pleeth, Vladimir Orloff, Mstislav Rostropovich and participated in master classes with Janos Starker, Pierre Fournier, and Jacqueline du Pré. She has given concerts on five continents and has played at the request of Prince Charles, President Bill Clinton, three Canadian Prime Ministers, and several times for the Imperial Japanese family.

Harnoy has recorded more than 40 solo albums and commands a vast repertoire. She has also premiered many important works, including the world premiere of the Offenbach cello Concerto in G, the world premiere of the Viotti Cello Concerto in C, many world premiere Vivaldi cello concertos and the North American premiere of the Bliss Cello Concerto. Among her many recording and live performance collaborations are: Placido Domingo, Sting, Sir Charles Mackerras, Loreena McKennitt, Colin Tilney, Igor Oistrakh, Jesse Cook, Cyprien Katsaris, Claudio Scimone, Charles Dutoit, Jeffrey Tait, Anton Kuerti, and Emmy Verhey.

Harnoy has won numerous music competitions and in 1982, was the youngest first-prize winner of the Concert Artists Guild Award which led to her Carnegie Hall debut.

Ofra Harnoy is a gifted interpreter who wins critical raves for her performances all over the world. She has toured extensively in Europe, the Far East, Australia, and the Americas, and has performed with many of the top orchestras and most noteworthy conductors of our time. Her recording catalog spans many musical styles and genres and she has won many awards and distinctions for her recordings, including 5 JUNO Awards (Canada), the Grand Prix du Disque, and Critics Choice Awards from a number of international magazines. Ofra Harnoy was once named by Maclean’s (Canada’s national weekly magazine) as one of the 12 Canadians in all fields who bring most credit to their country.

Mike Herriott

She will be joined in performance by Canadian trumpeter, Mike Herriott, a respected multi-instrumentalist in both the classical and jazz genres, is in demand as a lead trumpeter, jazz improviser, orchestral soloist, bassist, arranger and composer. He has toured extensively through North America and South East Asia and has shared the stage with a host of luminaries, including Maynard Ferguson, Rob McConnell, Doc Severinsen, Arturo Sandoval, Michael Buble, Slide Hampton, Kenny Wheeler, Phil Nimmons, Maria Schneider, Seth MacFarlane and more.

His recording career is diverse, including CDs, radio, television and film soundtracks, including the Canadian Brass (JUNO nomination 2011), the Vancouver Winter Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies (EMMY WINNER 2011), Michael Bublé Junno Winner, Grammy Winner), Jann Arden (JUNO nomination 2018, 2019), Paul Brandt, Richie Sambora, and for Warner, Universal, Sony, Disney, CBC, CTV, and NBC.

As a soloist, Herriott has performed with numerous symphony orchestras and big bands across Canada and abroad. He is in demand in the studio, in concert, and as lead trumpet in the orchestras of musical theatre productions in Toronto, as well as on tour throughout North America and abroad. Mike is often invited to perform as guest principal trumpet with symphony orchestras throughout Canada.

Herriott has several recordings under his own name and with New York-based guitarist Sean Harkness in the Harkness-Herriott Duo (H2). November 2013 brought the release of the Mike Herriott solo CD entitled Off the Road, featuring Herriott on a variety of musical instruments and including special guest, 10-time Grammy winner, Arturo Sandoval. His solo album, Isn’t Life Grand, is Herriott’s seventh recording as leader/composer/multi-instrumentalist and was released in 2016.

In 2018, he began a musical collaboration with his wife, Ofra Harnoy, which has brought them international respect and recognition for touring and their recording projects. They record for Analekta (Montreal) and released their first of a 5-album contract in 2019, with the second – Ofra Harnoy, On The Rock – released in September 2020.