Justin Gray from Toronto has been awarded a Grammy for the best immersive audio album, making him the first Canadian to achieve this accolade. Gray, who imparts knowledge on audio production at Humber Polytechnic, was honored for his album “Immersed,” which featured 38 artists from Toronto. The album, designed for a 360-degree orchestra experience, showcased talents such as fusion singer Suba Sankaran, saxophonist Jonathan Kay, and co-producer/violinist Drew Jurecka.
Known for his expertise as an audio engineer, Gray has worked on immersive mixes for renowned artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Snoop Dogg, Arkells, and The Tragically Hip, transforming their music into Dolby Atmos format, which offers a surround sound experience placing audio around and above the listener.
While the immersive audio category typically highlights recordings adapted for immersive sound, Gray’s album was uniquely composed for this specific format. Expressing his gratitude, Gray mentioned feeling overwhelmed and joyful about the recognition, stating that watching the Grammy Awards with his parents from a young age had been a dream scenario for him.
Following his Grammy win, Gray plans to share his experience with his students back in Toronto. He emphasized the importance of dedication to craft and belief in the arts, underscoring the significance of community support in the creative process. Looking towards the future, Gray expressed excitement about upcoming projects and extended pride in representing Canada on the global stage.