Stuart Laughton

Stuart Laughton – Pedal Steel and Lap Steel guitar/ Electric Guitar / Harmonica / Mandolin / Vocals

Stuart Laughton has had a notable career in classical music, but has long responded to the music of those he refers to as his holy trinity: Paul Butterfield, B. B. King and Emmylou Harris.

Stuart was a founding member of Canadian Brass in 1970 at age 19 and principal trumpet at La Scala, Milan under Claudio Abbado when he was 23.  A graduate of Philadelphia’s Curtis Institute, he appeared as a recitalist throughout North America and as a concerto soloist with Canada’s major orchestras.  He has premiered many works by Canadian composers, including a concerto by R. Murray Schafer.

Stuart founded Opening Day Recordings in 1993 as a means of promoting Canadian artists (the label’s inaugural release featured a composition by Peter Tiefenbach with text by Paul Quarrington) and is currently Founder and Artistic Director of The Forest Festival (theforestfestival.com).

Songs Stuart has written for Porkbelly Futures include March Storm and Alberta Springtime.