Canadian pianist Jeremy Ledbetter infuses his compositions with raw emotion and inventive flair. His global explorations have led him from the Caribbean to South America and Cuba, where he's joined forces with renowned artists like Hermeto Pascoal, Jorge Glem, and Daymé Arocena.

These worldwide encounters have honed Ledbetter's distinctive style, integrating diverse musical traditions into his creations. He is a leader of Canada's jazz and world music landscape, helming groups such as the Jeremy Ledbetter Trio and CaneFire. Beyond performing, Ledbetter's production skills are in high demand across genres. His recent work includes producing OKAN's Okantomi, which received the Juno Award for Global Album of the Year.

His most recent album, Gravity, the second with his Jeremy Ledbetter trio, was featured by us last month and is out now.

Jeremy Ledbetter Trio Defies ‘Gravity’ with Heavy New Album

The Toronto-based pianist launches his trio into the stratosphere with Gravity, a high-octane follow-up to their 2018 debut Got a Light? Out now, via CaneFire Records

Bonus Tracks from Spotlight OnLawrence Peryer

Lawrence Peryer: What is your first memory of music?

Jeremy Ledbetter: When I was three, my parents took me to a movie theatre to see "Fantasia." They said that I didn't speak for the entire duration of the film and came home asking to hear the music over and over again. I was instantly hooked! And I think that first musical experience taught me from the beginning that music is meant to be visual, conjuring up images and storylines in the listener's mind.

The Making of Fantasia: Disney’s Most Ambitious Masterpiece

Discover the surprising story of how Fantasia, Disney’s most ambitious film, came to be. The Houston Symphony presents this animated classic January 2018.

Houston SymphonyOlivia Cantrell

Lawrence: What instrument(s) can you play?

Jeremy: I mainly play the piano, but I also play some steel pan, harmonica, guitar, Venezuelan cuatro, drums, percussion, and didjeridu.

Lawrence: What is a skill you wish you possessed?

Jeremy: The ability to get creative projects done before the VERY. LAST. MINUTE.

Lawrence: What song, album, or artist never gets old for you?

Jeremy: Stevie Wonder's music is the gift that keeps on giving, forever.

Lawrence: What is a creative work or artist, outside of music, that you love or admire outside of music?

Jeremy: Filmmakers like the Coen Brothers have a wildly unique style and aren't afraid to take risks but manage to do it with humor at the same time.

Lawrence: You want someone to understand you. What song or album do you give them?

Jeremy: My most recent album, because any album is a little snapshot of who the artist is at the time it was created.

Lawrence: What music do you and your significant other disagree about?

Jeremy: My wife, Eliana Cuevas, is a wonderful singer and recording artist, and we never disagree about music (lol).