Twice voted by pipes-drums.com readers as the world's greatest living composer of bagpipe music, Grey delivers the traditional plaintive sounds of the bagpipe in an ear-pleasing, contemporary style.

The Dundas resident who has garnered world-wide acclaim as both a composer and bagpiper has released a new recording project entitled Unqualified Favourites. His ninth solo CD is a retrospective project that Grey describes as a “good representation” of his work over the past 10 years.

“While my training is all based in the tradition, my recording projects have leaned more to the adventurous and experimental,” said Grey. “I'm a bit of a missionary when it comes to bagpipes, always trying to get the heathen bagpipe-haters to give the bags one more chance.”

Indeed, from Maple Leaf Lounge to Grey’s own sentimental favourite Nut Brown Maiden or Mo Nighean Dhonn Bhoidheach, the 40-something-year-old musician demonstrates a remarkable ability to blend the bagpipes with layers of pop-like instrumentation, including vocals.

Born in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Grey received his first bagpipe lessons from George Walker of the 48th Highlanders of Canada and was a member of the illustrious band for three years.

“For pretty much as long as I can remember I've wanted to play the pipes,” said Grey of what piqued his interest in pursuing the rather unusual childhood interest. “Pipes and things Scottish have always hovered around me.”

Grey explained his father’s family emigrated from Glasgow and sailed third class on the White Star Line’s Laurentic, a sister ship of the Titanic. His mother was a Gaelic-speaker from Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides.

“I don't know if you could call it a case of racial memory, but there is something about the sound of the pipes that resonates with me,” said Grey. “It's kind of funny, really. I know bagpipes is one of those instruments that people either love or hate — like great art.”

Grey’s talent with the bagpipes has garnered attention around the world, with accolades that range from four-time North American champion to the winner of professional Ontario Championship Supreme awards for both piobaireachd and light music 17 times.

His influence on the 78th Fraser Highlanders at the peak of their success, and then on the Peel Regional Police Pipe Band are testament to his skill at helping to bring out the creative and musical best in a band. In October of 2007, Grey joined the premier grade Toronto Police Pipe Band as music director.

Since his early piping years, Grey has also been a prolific and innovative composer.

Evidence of his success is apparent in the ongoing popularity of his tunes with bands and individuals at major international competitions. At 1990's World Pipe Band Championship in Glasgow, there were more examples of bands performing Grey's tunes than any other composer, living or dead.

Grey has published five books of music and nine CDs. And rather than ebbing, his creative tide seems to have picked up steam. Between composing, teaching, competing, holding down a full-time job and travelling, he is currently laying out plans for his next CD.

“It’s sort of a duets project,” said Grey. “I'm looking to work with century-old wax cylinder recordings of past great musicians to make something sweet and 21st century.”

To check out some of the tracks on Grey’s Unqualified Favourites, go to www.dunaber.com/goodies

For his part, Grey hopes you’ll be surprised.

“For starters, few people ever get to hear a well-tuned bagpipe. There are four reeds in a bagpipe and it’s very temperamental when it comes to tuning,” said Grey. “I think people's immediate reaction will be, "Wow, no squeaks and squawks, what's that about? And then be drawn in by the tuneful and rhythmical mix of sounds —or so I hope.”

For more on Michael Grey, see www.dunaber.com Unqualified Favourites is available at Kings Cross on King Street West in Dundas.