Bill McBirnie has achieved something decidedly unlikely for a Canadian flutist who was raised in the small town of Port Colborne, Ontario. Despite an uneventful musical beginning, Bill has succeeded in attaining an international standing as one of the foremost flutists in jazz today—all whilst rarely setting foot outside of what is now his native city of Toronto, Ontario. Bill's longstanding commitment has earned him unequivocal critical acclaim as well as numerous awards; for example, here in Canada as Flutist of the Year (Jazz Report Awards) and Best Jazz Album (Toronto Independent Music Awards), and abroad winning the Vox Populi Award for Best Jazz Album (at the Independent Music Awards in the USA) and as a winner in all three of the jazz flute (1) Soloist, (2) Masterclass and (3) Big Band Competitions (at the National Flute Association in the USA). As a testimony to his singular place in the international flute community, Bill was solicited personally by no less than Sir James Galway to serve as his resident Jazz Flute Specialist at Sir James' official web site―and this despite Bill’s rather limited renown and virtual seclusion in Canada. You can find out more about Bill at his website: www.extremeflute.com You can also reach him directly by email at extremeflute@look.ca or by phone at (416) 652-1541.