Travis Harrison

Travis Harrison is professor of Double Bass at the University of Ottawa who performs regularly in chamber, soloist, and orchestra roles. Notable engagements have been as Guest Principal Bass of both the National Arts Centre and Canadian Opera Company Orchestras; Ottawa’s Chamberfest, Saskatoon’s Ritornello Festival, Owen Sound’s Sweetwater Festival, and festivals across Europe; as a champion of contemporary music with Array Music and Soundstreams; and as bassist-in-residence at the Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance and the Banff Centre.

His deep love of music led him to serve the bass community as a Board Chair for the International Society of Bassists and co-author of “The Canadian School of Double Bass”publications with his mentor, Joel Quarrington. He can be heard in a wide range of recordings, from the National Arts Centre’s new Brahms Symphonic cycle to jazz legend Don Thompson’s Grammy-nominated “Quartet ‘89”, to the rock band Weezer’s album “Hurley.”

Having made his Toronto Symphony Orchestra debut at the age of 18, Montreal Symphony at 19, and National Arts Centre Orchestra at 22, Travis went on to serve the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra as a tenured musician for six seasons before resigning his position to return to his hometown, Toronto. His musical endeavours have been met with great acclaim, praised for clear, engaging, and precise playing and as part of “a bass section most orchestras can only dream of.” (Le Devoir)

He proudly performs on a bass by Montreal’s Mario Lamarre and bows by Ottawa’s Bernard Walke. Visit travisharrison.ca to learn more.