As part of the 2016 JUNOS ceremonies in Calgary earlier this month, long-time CIMA supporter Bob Ezrin was recognized with the Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award (named after Order of Canada recipient and famed Guess Who producer, Jack Richardson). The honour was presented during the JUNO Pre-Broadcast Gala on Saturday, April 2.
Now in his fifth decade of working as a pioneering artist, Bob’s career has involved collaborating with the likes of Lou Reed, Taylor Swift, Fefe Dobson, KISS, U2, Jay-Z and Pink Floyd, to name just a few. He has often been a catalyst for these musicians’ extraordinary success, helping them achieve new levels of creativity and artistic output.
Notably, Bob also played a personal role in the creation of the Canadian Independent Record Production Association (CIRPA) in 1971. He served as an original researcher, board member, Vice President and public representative for the organization, which changed its name to CIMA in 2009.
Over the last 50 years, Bob has been responsible for many remarkable achievements in the fields of music, technology, business, charity and education. In 2009, he co-founded Vancouver’s state-of-the-art Nimbus School of Recording & Media Arts, together with renowned Canadian producers Kevin Williams and Garth Richardson (son of Jack Richardson).
In 2010, he produced “Wavin’ Flag” with K’naan and Young Artists, helping raise over $2 million for Haitian disaster relief. This was in addition to his ongoing work with charities such as MusiCounts, Music Rising, and the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation.
As Bob continues producing Juno Award-winning tracks for Canadian artists like Johnny Reid, he remains committed to following an exciting, eclectic musical path. Recently, this has included reuniting with his iconic shock-rock collaborator and old friend, Alice Cooper.
Being named 2016 JUNO Producer of the Year is the latest in a series of music industry honours that have been conferred on Bob. Over the last number of years, he has also been inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame, the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame. Kudos for your impressive, long-lasting contribution to Canadian and global music, Bob. It’s certainly appreciated!