We Remember Moments, the debut recording by Canadian composer and pianist Joel Toews, is released by Ulysses Arts on 1 May 2026 (UA260020).
'“We do not remember days, we remember moments.” (Cesare Pavese) My music evokes memories - not specific recollections, but moments imparting an experience’s emotions. Memory is fallible; remembering an entire day is impossible. Instead, we retain moments, snapshots of life affecting our minds and present.
Each work alludes to moments surrounding experiences, emotions and people. The melodies, harmony and rhythms are straightforward, composed not for show or gravitas, but as meditative reflection on moments worth remembering.' (Joel Toews)
Each work alludes to moments surrounding experiences, emotions and people. The melodies, harmony and rhythms are straightforward, composed not for show or gravitas, but as meditative reflection on moments worth remembering.' (Joel Toews)
Click image above to pre-order on iTunes with digital booklet
1. Four Thousand and One: Joel Toews
2. Evergreen: Joel Toews, Jacqueline Goring
3. January (of 2020): Joel Towes
4. Prairie Skies: Joel Toews, William Lamoureux
5. August (of 2006): Joel Toews, Jess Lajner, William Lamoureux
6. Solace: Joel Toews, Matt Smith
7. Stephanie’s Theme: Joel Toews
Joel Toews, piano
Jacqueline Goring, harp; William Lamoureaux, violin
Jess Lajner, guitar; Matt Smith, trumpet
Joel Toews is a contemporary Canadian composer, arranger, songwriter and pianist from Toronto, CA. He studied at Berklee College of Music from 2012-13 and received a Bachelor of Music in Jazz and Contemporary Popular Music from MacEwan University in 2018. He is currently studying his Master of Arts in Music Composition at York University (Toronto), focusing on composing music dedicated to the Canadian National Parks' sustainability.
At MacEwan University, Joel wrote and arranged for string quartet, choir, jazz big band, piano trio, a Cappella ensemble and more, studying with Dr. Allan Gilliland, Kent Sangster, and John McMillan. In 2018, Joel’s Influence for classical piano trio placed fourth in the International Keuris Composers Contest. In 2019, he premièred his orchestral work Ra’ah' with the Borealis Orchestra in Edmonton and composed an original score for the film The Transit Lodge directed by Kalyan Acharya. In 2021, Joel was accepted into the Explore the Score program with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. This included mentorship from the Orchestra's affiliate composers and conductors, and a recorded reading session of his orchestral piece, Athabasca, which won the first annual Litha Symphony Orchestra's Composition Contest and was first performed in New York City in July 2022.
In 2021, Joel was commissioned by MacEwan University to write a Big Band piece, Miriam, to be recorded at the University as part of its 'Generations' Project. He has collaborated with Canadian cellist Sahara von Hattenberger to write a three-movement Suite for Pano and Cello, blending elements of Canadian and Japanese culture. Funded by the Canada Council for the Arts, this project paired audio recordings of the compositions with visual accompaniment and was released on YouTube in 2022. Also in 2022, Joel participated in the Sofia Symphonic Summit, leading to him premiering his orchestral work Mirrors in Haida Gwaii with the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra in Bulgaria. Joel's orchestral work continued with suite inspired by Canadian landscapes with Sleeping Giant, commissioned by Orchestra Toronto for their 2022 The Composer Prize competition. In 2023, Joel was commissioned by the River City Big Band (Edmonton) to compose a work for Big Band celebrating the planets, for which he re-imagined the opening of Richard Strauss's Also Sprach Zarathustra.
In 2025, Joel's music was performed in New York City as a winner of the New Conductors Orchestra's Call for Scores.
Joel lives and works in Toronto. He is a piano, theory and composition teacher for children, youth, and adults; he works as a freelance composer, arranger, and songwriter, and is Orchestra Manager of the Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra.
At MacEwan University, Joel wrote and arranged for string quartet, choir, jazz big band, piano trio, a Cappella ensemble and more, studying with Dr. Allan Gilliland, Kent Sangster, and John McMillan. In 2018, Joel’s Influence for classical piano trio placed fourth in the International Keuris Composers Contest. In 2019, he premièred his orchestral work Ra’ah' with the Borealis Orchestra in Edmonton and composed an original score for the film The Transit Lodge directed by Kalyan Acharya. In 2021, Joel was accepted into the Explore the Score program with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. This included mentorship from the Orchestra's affiliate composers and conductors, and a recorded reading session of his orchestral piece, Athabasca, which won the first annual Litha Symphony Orchestra's Composition Contest and was first performed in New York City in July 2022.
In 2021, Joel was commissioned by MacEwan University to write a Big Band piece, Miriam, to be recorded at the University as part of its 'Generations' Project. He has collaborated with Canadian cellist Sahara von Hattenberger to write a three-movement Suite for Pano and Cello, blending elements of Canadian and Japanese culture. Funded by the Canada Council for the Arts, this project paired audio recordings of the compositions with visual accompaniment and was released on YouTube in 2022. Also in 2022, Joel participated in the Sofia Symphonic Summit, leading to him premiering his orchestral work Mirrors in Haida Gwaii with the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra in Bulgaria. Joel's orchestral work continued with suite inspired by Canadian landscapes with Sleeping Giant, commissioned by Orchestra Toronto for their 2022 The Composer Prize competition. In 2023, Joel was commissioned by the River City Big Band (Edmonton) to compose a work for Big Band celebrating the planets, for which he re-imagined the opening of Richard Strauss's Also Sprach Zarathustra.
In 2025, Joel's music was performed in New York City as a winner of the New Conductors Orchestra's Call for Scores.
Joel lives and works in Toronto. He is a piano, theory and composition teacher for children, youth, and adults; he works as a freelance composer, arranger, and songwriter, and is Orchestra Manager of the Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra.
Electronic press kit available from Ulysses Arts.