Carl Horton, Producer Director

Bio

Carl Horton was born in Warsaw, Indiana, U.S.A., and he proudly maintains citizenship for both Canada and the United States.

Primarily self-taught as pianist, composer, and arranger, Carl began his professional career in 1979 as a sideman and accompanist to some of Canada’s musical greats – Ronnie Hawkins, Ian Thomas, Guido Basso and Jude Johnson among them. In 1984 Carl assisted in writing a curriculum of music appreciation for the Hamilton Separate School Board called Sound All Around. The same year, Carl became the music director and arranger for the Geritol Follies. Having developed an interest in electronic music and synthesis, in 1989 Carl joined the Faculty of Music of Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Science as lecturer pro tempor of Electronic Music and Business of Music. Carl has written numerous film scores, among them the holiday classic Home for Christmas starring Mickey Rooney. He has received awards for music written for advertising (400 jingles and counting) and scored many television shows for CITY-TV, CTV, LIFE, Bravo, among many others.

Performance highlights include performances for Prince Charles, Prime Minister Jean Chretien, and President George H.W. Bush. In demand as a recording session player and as a concert accompanist, Carl keeps a very busy performance schedule. He has an extensive library of the popular music of the 20th Century and is recognized as an authority on the subject. Carl is quick to recognize his many teachers, first among them the remarkable cast of the Follies.

In addition to producing and directing, Carl Horton is on the Faculty of Music at Mohawk College and Recording Arts of Canada. His greatest love remains playing the piano, and he is one of the finest accompanists in Canada.