Member of the Order of Canada
- Awarded on: November 4, 2009
- Invested on: September 03, 2010
A Renaissance man, Joe Sealy is a musician, producer, musical director, arranger, composer and actor. As a pianist, he is a collaborator of choice, known for the delicacy of his playing, paired with the ability -as peers enthuse- to "really swing." His compositions are noted for their melodic invention, and he has been invited to write songs and scores for numerous television and film productions. His recording of Africville Suite, which he wrote to pay tribute to the history of the Halifax Black community where his parents grew up, has been called a highlight of '90s jazz in Canada.