Michael Ruby was announced winner of the first JAZZ.FM91 Project Jazz talent competition.

Michael is a student in the University of Toronto Jazz Performance Program, and has received several awards and scholarships including the Moe Koffman Memorial Jazz Scholarship at the University of Toronto. He is currently studying at the Banff Centre. In 2005 Michael won the Down Beat Magazine award for Outstanding Performance on Tenor Saxophone, North America, High School Level. He has jammed with Roy Hargrove, John MacLeod, Pat Labarbera and Joshua Redman, among others.

Michael is seen here on the right with JAZZ.FM91 host Reiner Schwarz. On the left is Michael’s drummer. Michael will receive $15,000 towards the production of his debut CD, mentoring and lots of professional assistance. The five judges worked through the dozens of entries and the Final Five Concert resulted in the winner. Each of the finalists was amazing!