Brian Hughes

A native of Edmonton, Alberta, Brian Hughes was originally gearing his career toward sports but in 1980 decided to focus on his second love – guitar – and studied guitar with Pat Martino and Robben Ford at the Guitar Institute Of Technology in Los Angeles. Hughes spent his formative years as a studio musician playing on Sesame Street recordings. In 1987 he relocated to Toronto permanently and the following 2 years were spent touring across Canada twice with Loreena McKennitt. His profile was immediately heightened after being showcased in the US monthly magazine ‘Guitar Player’. He found success with his 1990 Justin Time debut album ‘Between Dusk And Dreaming’ which became an instant U.S. radio hit, garnering “Record of the Week” honors in the Gavin Report and climbed into the Top 10 on both the ‘Radio & Record’ and Gavin charts. The album featured musicians Mark Kelso (drums), George Koller (bass), Rick Lazar (percussion) and Tony Panacci (keyboards). For his second album, Hughes released ‘Under One Sky’ in 1993 which featured the return of percussionist Rick Lazar. The album’s ten original compositions were highlighted by “Nasca Lines” which would later be recorded by singer and harpist Loreena McKennitt. He has worked and toured extensively with Loreena McKennitt, and he co-produced both of her Warner Music CDs ‘The Visit’ and ‘The Mask and Mirror’ landing him at least one ‘Producer of the Year’ JUNO Award nomination.