Richard Abel (musician)

Richard Abel (born 1955) is a Canadian instrumental musician and pianist. He is one of the best selling Canadian instrumental artists of all time. He has been nominated for a Juno award three times.
Early life.
Abel was born in 1955 in Montreal, Quebec. Abel was drawn to music at a very young age.
He learned to play on a professional level at the age of 14.
Career.
Abel released his first single in 1980. Abel's first album, "Enfin!" was released in 1988. In the early 1990s, Abel released "Noel au piano" (1991), "Instrumental Memories" (1992) (and follow up albums for it in 1997 and 2009) and "Pour le Plaisir (Vols 1 & 2" in 1994 and 1996 respectively). He then released two partially self titled albums: "Richard Abel, Les grands success" (1998) and "Richard Abel Live" (1999).
Abel began the 21st century with the release of "Inspiration classique" album in 2000 which was nominated for a Juno award. In 2002 he released two albums: "For Your Pleasure" and "Romance".
Over the next few years, Abel released "L'Essentiel" (2003), "Hommage aux compositeurs québécois" (2004), "Elegancia", 2005 (also released a follow up to the album in 2009). 
In 2007, Abel released his most notable Christmas album, "Noel Christmas Navidad". Abel also released his "Richard Abel, Plus de 25 ans de musique" album in 2008. His most recent album is "Autour du Monde".
Abel has toured since his first album was released and continues to tour.
Awards.
Abel was nominated for a Juno award for best instrumental artist in 1996 and 1997 and for best instrumental album in 2002. Abel also has won five Felix Awards.
Personal life.
In recent years, Abel came out as gay.