Richard Abel (musician)

Richard Abel (born 1955) is a Canadian instrumental musician and pianist.[1] He is one of the best selling Canadian instrumental artists of all time.[2] He has been nominated for a Juno award three times.

Early life

Abel was born in 1955[3] in Montreal, Quebec.[4] Abel was drawn to music at a very young age.[5]

He learned to play on a professional level at the age of 14.[6]

Career

Abel released his first single in 1980.[5] Abel's first album, Enfin! was released in 1988. In the early 1990s, Abel released Noel au piano (1991), Instrumental Memories (1992) (and follow up albums for it in 1997 and 2009) and Pour le Plaisir (Vols 1 & 2 in 1994 and 1996 respectively). He then released two partially self titled albums: Richard Abel, Les grands success (1998) and Richard Abel Live (1999).

Abel began the 21st century with the release of Inspiration classique album in 2000 which was nominated for a Juno award. In 2002 he released two albums: For Your Pleasure and Romance.

Over the next few years, Abel released L'Essentiel (2003), Hommage aux compositeurs québécois (2004), Elegancia, 2005[2] (also released a follow up to the album in 2009). In 2007, Abel released his most notable Christmas album, Noel Christmas Navidad.[7] Abel also released his Richard Abel, Plus de 25 ans de musique album in 2008. His most recent album is Autour du Monde.[8]

Abel has toured since his first album was released and continues to tour.[9]

Awards

Abel was nominated for a Juno award for best instrumental artist in 1996 and 1997[10] and for best instrumental album in 2002.[11] Abel also has won five Felix Awards.[8][12][2]

Personal life

In recent years, Abel came out as gay.[4]

References
  1. "November 6, 2001". The Gazette from Montreal (Newspapers.com). The Gazette from Montreal. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  2. "CD REVIEW: Richard Abel - Elegancia". Muse's Muse. Muse's Muse. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  3. "Richard Abel". Viaf. Viaf. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  4. "MEETING WITH RICHARD ABEL "To have known, I would have done it before!"". Fugues. Fugues. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  5. "A world tour with Richard Abel". Le Express Montreal. Le Express Montreal. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  6. "My piano doesnt have a French accent". Indian Express. Indian Express. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  7. "MUSIC FOR EVERY OCCASION". Journal de Montreal. Journal de Montreal. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  8. "Richard Abel". All Music. All Music. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  9. "Hot gigs this week: Tease from Wooden Sky + new punk from Greys ..." Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  10. "Richard Abel". Juno Awards. Juno Awards. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  11. Powell, W. Andrew (18 February 2002). "2002 Juno Awards Spotlight - Nominations". TheGATE.ca. Archived from the original on 27 April 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-17.
  12. "Richard Abel and his Christmas musical album earned a Félix". Info Culture. Info Culture. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
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