Moe Koffman Swingin’ Shepherd Blues
Legends I Discovered on My Walks: Moe Koffman
On my walk through Bathurst Lawn Memorial Park in Toronto, I came across the grave of one of Canada’s greatest jazz musicians, composers, and arrangers—Morris “Moe” Koffman.
Moe showed signs of musical brilliance early on, picking up the violin at age 9. He later enrolled at what is now the Royal Conservatory of Music, though his time there was short-lived. Never one to waste time, Moe dropped out and headed south, joining several major big bands—including the legendary Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra.
But it was back home in Toronto in 1957 that Moe hit a career home run. He recorded “Swinging Shepherd Blues,” a jazzy, upbeat flute tune that quickly climbed the charts in both the U.S. and the U.K., turning Moe into a household name. Another of his compositions, “Curried Soul,” became the unmistakable theme of CBC Radio’s long-running program As It Happens—a song etched into the national soundscape.
Beyond the stage, Moe was also the longtime booking agent for George’s Spaghetti House, a legendary jazz venue in Toronto. He brought in world-class talent—friends and fellow jazz legends like Guido Basso, Ed Bickert, Terry Clarke, and Rob McConnell—and you could often catch Moe himself playing there once or twice a week.
George’s Spaghetti House
The son of a variety store owner, Moe Koffman would go on to receive some of the country’s highest honours. He was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and appointed to the Order of Canada in 1993—both testaments to his extraordinary talent and cultural impact.
Moe passed away on March 28, 2001, in Orangeville, Ontario, at the age of 72.
Former Viceregal Consort of Canada, John Ralston Saul, said this of Koffman:
“The creative excellence Moe Koffman achieved as a jazz musician, arranger, flutist, saxophonist, and clarinetist gave his tones an enchantment that ensnared the listener long after they were played. His talent brought us pleasure and delights that lodge him in the hearts of all Canadians.”
1928-2001
