BIO

Cindy Fairbank is a pianist, composer, and educator whose performing career has spanned more than twenty-five years across Canada, the United States, and Europe. Known for her expressive piano work and versatility across jazz, folk, roots, and singer-songwriter traditions, she has recorded and performed with acclaimed artists including Shari Ulrich, Barney Bentall, William Prince, Jim Cuddy, Bill Henderson, Tom Cochrane, Jeremy Fisher, Tom Wilson, and Liam Titcomb. Recent recording projects in 2026 include releases with Leeroy Stagger, and Honeybear The Band.

In 2010 Cindy released her debut jazz CD, imaginaries, featuring ten original compositions written for strings, brass, woodwinds and rhythm section. “I have found it compelling to search for a contemporary sound within the traditional jazz genre, and to find my voice within this combination of strings and the Jazz Art Form.” The textures of imaginaries draw from a harmonic quality inspired by Nicolas Slonimsky, Phillip Glass, Brad Mehldau, and Edgar Meyer.

A passionate artist-educator, Cindy holds a BMus in Jazz Performance from McGill University, a BEd from University of Toronto, and an MA in Arts Education from Simon Fraser University. She founded the Sunnyside School of Music in 2007 and co-founded ESME (Expanding Success in Music Education) in 2011, reflecting her long-standing commitment to accessible and meaningful arts education.

Since returning to the West Coast in 2014, Cindy spent a decade leading the music, band, and choir programs at Bowen Island Community School, where she built vibrant and community-connected arts programs. She is currently in her third year on faculty in the Jazz Studies program at Capilano University, where she has also served as Interim Academic Coordinator. A sought-after clinician and presenter, Cindy leads workshops and masterclasses and has presented at conferences including the VSO School Of Music, OMEA, BCMEA, and Swing West Jazz Camp. Beyond her work as a performer and educator, she has served on the Board of Directors for Arts on Bowen since 2021, championing and supporting the arts within her community.

Cindy wishes to acknowledge that she lives, works and creates on the unceded Skwxwú7mesh territory.

UPCOMING DATES

Summer 2026 Performances/Recordings/Workshops

May 18, 19, 20, Honey Bear the Band, Studio Recording for new album, BC

June 7, Shari Ulrich, Golden Ears United Church, MapleRidge, BC 

June 8 Shari Ulrich, Tir Na Nog Theatre, Bowen Island, BC

June 18 Barney Bentall and the Legendary Hearts, FIFA World Cup at PNE Park Stage, Vancouver BC

July 3, Barney Bentall and the Legendary Hearts, Rockin’ in the Peaks, Sun Peaks, BC

July 4, Barney Bentall: Victoria Folk Fest , Victoria, BC

July 19-25, Swing West Jazz Camp (Instructor) Sorrento, BC

Aug 2, Barney Bentall and the Legendary Hearts, Filburg Festival, Comox, BC

Aug 9, HoneyBear the Band: Harmony Arts Festival, West Vancouver, BC

Aug 19, Barney Bentall and the Legendary Hearts, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Aug 20, Barney Bentall and the Legendary Hearts, Regina, Saskatchewan

Aug 22, Barney Bentall and the Legendary Hearts, Winnipeg, Manitoba