From northern Manitoba, just a few hundred miles south of the Arctic Circle, Pat Carey was born into a musical family.  This prompted his early start studying pianoat the age of six, and going on to play the saxophone at the age of thirteen.  His interest and early exposure to music inspired Pat to go on to be formally educated at the University of Manitoba’s School of Music from 1977 to 1982 where he earned a Major in Performance. During those formative years Pat played many pop concerts while performing with The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. His connection with The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra allowed him to play with and learn from some of the greatest jazz performers the world has ever known, such as Lionel Hampton, Sarah Vaughan, and Tony Bennett. In addition, Pat performed as a guest musician with The Rodney Dangerfield Comedy Concert Band. 

Pat’s noted professional emergence during and after his formal years of training at university included appearances with Jimmy King and the Golden Boy Brass, Ron Paley, Nite Fever, Dave Jandrisch, Laurie Mackenzie and the Bandits, Dan Donahue, Rocki Rolletti and Rainbow Stage.

During 1979 he forged a partnership with Tom Jestadt, one of Canada’s best known drummers that culminated in the Pat Carey & Tom Jestadt Jazz Quartet. To note, the Pat Carey Jazz Quintet accompanied the well-known Canadian comedian Jim Carrey. 

Pat then joined the group Rocki Rolletti that went on to win the Trans-Canada Rock Contest in 1982 and secured a recording session produced by Bob Ezrin. 

Pat also opened for the reunion of The Guess Who, while still a member of the group Rocki Rolletti.  Moreover, while he played with Laurie Mackenzie and the Bandits, Pat also opened three shows for George Thorogood.

Pat has also worked for many years as a studio musician and made numerous recordings for CBC TV, CBC RADIO, CKY TV and CKND TV.

In 1984, Pat moved to Toronto, where he performed with George Oliver and Gang Buster, Tony Flaim and the Dukes and Hock Walsh.  During those early years in Toronto, Pat was engaged by the owner of the famous “Madames Restaurant” as Entertainment Director, a position he successfully held from 1984 to 1989. 

From 1986 until 1989 Pat was a member of The Labatt Double Blues Band.

June of 1985 saw Pat’s career solidify when he became the sax player for The Downchild Blues Band, a position he has now successfully held for the past seventeen years (circa 2002).

While working with The Downchild Blues Band, Pat has recorded four CDs and co-produced the band’s last three releases. His North American tours with The Downchild Blues Band have brought him to share the stage with B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Bobby Blue Bland, James Cotton, Otis Rush & Dr John, Joe Cocker, Room Full of Blues, The Beach Boys, Jeff Healy, Eric Burdon, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Carey Bell, Kenny Neal, Roy Gains and Tommy Castro. Moreover, The Downchild Blues Band has accompanied such great’s as Blues Brother Dan Akroyd, Tinsley Ellis, Daniel Lanois, Dominic Troiano and Robert JR Lockwood.

Pat’s Toronto concert highlights, have included accompaniment to Edwin Starr, Bowser, The Coasters, The Marvelettes, Little Anthony, Peter Noone (Hermans Hermits), Leslie Gore, Little Eva, The Crystals, Sam Moore, The Temptations and Colin James. 

As a studio musician Pat has completed CDs with Rita Chiarelli, Joe Mavety, Danny Brooks, Sunny Fournier, Curley Bridges, Jack De Keyzer, Fathead, Chuck Jackson, Big Daddy G, and The New Millennium Orchestra. Pat has also been featured on numerous jingles and radio & TV shows for CBC, CTV & Global T.V.

Pat’s busy schedule now has him performing regularly with his own Pat Carey’s Jazz Navigators, as well as The Downchild Blues Band, Chuck Jackson and the All-Stars, The Unity Band, Laura Hubert and many other artists. 

Pat’s expertise and years of experience had him working as a musical and CD producer/director, co-producing three of the latest CDs for The Downchild Blues Band, The Unity Band, and Ginny Lynn.  In spite of his numerous current appearances and sideline projects, Pat has now co-founded his own company The IRIDESCENT MUSIC Company Incorporated, as President and Director of Music Production & Promotion Jazz and Blues. His most recent project is an all-original Jazz CD featuring many of the greatest Canadian Jazz musicians. 

Pat has many rewarding achievements to his name;

1997 -  Nominated as Horn Player of the Year, Maple Blues Awards
1998 -  Nominated as Horn Player of the Year, Maple Blues Awards
1999 -  Won Horn Player of the Year Award, Maple Blues Awards
2000 -  Won Horn Player of the Year Award, Maple Blues Awards
2001 -  Won Horn Player of the Year Award, Maple Blues Awards
2002 -  Won Horn Player of the Year Award, Maple Blues Awards
2003 -  Nominated as Horn Player of the Year, Maple Blues Awards

Pat has shared with The Downchild Blues Band, the following nominations
and awards.

1987 - Nominated for a Juno Award in the Best Roots and Traditional category for “It’s Been So Long”
1994 - Nominated for a Juno Award in the Blues and Gospel category for “Good Times Guaranteed”
1998 - Won the Jazz Report Awards As Best Blues Group
 
 

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