Andrew Sutherland
A&E Reporter

Music grad and jazz pianist David Virelles says being nominated for another Juno award doesn’t mean he’s reached the pinnacle of his profession.
“The sole reason I got into music was because I love music, I wasn’t looking to get recognized.  Things like this help move your career, but that doesn’t mean that you’re progressing musically,” said Virelles.
“I don’t see myself ever reaching a point where I am satisfied musically.”
Virelles is nominated for best contemporary jazz album alongside Humber professors Neil Swainson on bass, Barry Romberg on drums and band leader Kirk MacDonald on saxophone.
Virelles has played on two Grammy-nominated albums, as well as multiple Juno-nominated albums.
“I’ve played on at least three or four Juno-nominated albums with Jane Bunnett, two of which are Juno-winning,” said Virelles.
Virelles came to Canada at the age of 16, and since then he has won numerous awards, including the first ever Oscar Peterson award, presented to him at Humber.
“David has done so much in so little time, he is an absolutely beautiful pianist,” said Kirk MacDonald.
In 2008, Virelles released his first album as a band leader, entitled Motion.
Though it didn’t receive any award nominations, he doesn’t begrudge the success of other musicians he’s played with.
“I get very excited for the leaders, most of the time these people that I’ve played on the record with are my friends, it makes me excited,” said Virelles.
“He’s really an incredible and exceptional talent,” said Barry Romberg.
“He’s onto some cool stuff; he has a really unique voice on his instrument which is refreshing.”
Virelles said the inspiration for his music isn’t limited to other musicians and he draws insight from all aspects of life.
“I get inspiration by visual arts, from geometry, from nature, from writers, from movies, and from people.”