Jian Ghomeshi (born June 9, 1967 in London, England) is a Canadian musician, writer and broadcaster.

Ghomeshi, of Iranian descent, moved to Thornhill, Ontario with his family in 1973.

Joining together with Mike Ford, Murray Foster, Dave Matheson, he formed the band Moxy Früvous in 1990. As singer, songwriter, and drummer for Moxy Früvous, he used his talents to help the band to go multi-platinum. At the end of 2000, the band went on hiatus and has yet to get back together.

After the hiatus, Ghomeshi went on a solo tour with Erin Mckeown and Andy Stochansky, known as 3 Song Circus, and released his first solo EP, The First 6 Songs, in July of 2001. A full solo album is set for release in 2005.

Beyond his music, Ghomeshi has become active in television and radio broadcasting. In 2002 he was hired as the host of CBC Newsworld's >play, a show about the arts in Canada and abroad. >play ran for three seasons on Newsworld, but was cancelled in April, 2004. Since >play's cancellation, there have been several one hour specials including Screw the Vote and >play Goes to Pot. Ghomeshi also contributed to the Toronto edition of Canada Now during its weekly entertainment report.

As of January 2005, Ghomeshi has become a regular on-air columnist for The Hour, a documentary presenter, and also has hosted the national radio series 50 Tracks and The Canadian Version on CBC Radio One and CBC Radio Two. In June 2005, Ghomeshi guest hosted Radio One's Sounds Like Canada for a month, and as of June 2006, he has returned to guest host again. From fall of 2005 until spring of 2006, he hosted a program on CBC Radio One called The National Playlist.

In February 2005, the National Post printed an article about the status of the CBC, in which it was suggested that Ghomeshi has become displeased with his current role at the CBC. The article also mentioned rumours of tension between Ghomeshi and George Stroumboulopoulos, host of The Hour. The two have known each other for years.

In August 2005, Ghomeshi was among the 5500 CBC employees locked out.

Ghomeshi's energetic personality has made him a target of some sketch comedies, most notably This Hour Has 22 Minutes and Royal Canadian Air Farce. In 2004 during a segment on Rick Mercer Report, Mercer, who is reportedly an acquaintance of Ghomeshi's, stated he felt Ghomeshi would be a perfect candidate for the next Governor General of Canada because he "has the eyes of an Arabian princess". While the joke was received with good humour by Ghomeshi, it reignited rumours that he is gay or bisexual (which he has never confirmed or denied.)

Ghomeshi has also produced and managed other musicians. Founding his own production company Wonderboy Entertainment, Ghomeshi is managing Martina Sorbara and Valerie. He has also produced for more well known artists, such as Dar Williams.

He holds a degree in political science and history from York University and was president of the York Federation of Students during his time as an undergraduate.

Discography

• The First 6 Songs (2001)

External links

• Official site
• Wonderboy Entertainment
• Profile for Play CBC

1967 births | Canadian pop musicians | Canadian folk musicians | Canadian songwriters | Canadian television personalities | Canadian radio personalities | Toronto people | Living people | Iranian Canadians | Londoners