Silas Friesen is a multi-instrumentalist, arranger, composer, and educator from a musical family of eight. Active in many idioms, he has performed with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra, Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Brass Project, Music on Main, Tommy Banks, Jim Brenan, Friesen Family Band, and the Caspian Ensemble, among others.

When the pandemic shut down most of his musical projects last spring, he turned to online collaboration as a medium and outlet, forming the Silas Friesen Virtual Jazz Orchestra and Cross Canada Brass. In addition, Silas has become sought after as a digital performance consultant presenting workshops and producing videos for other groups, including work contracted through Austin Kruzcek of Jazz Lesson Videos. Silas is a frequent writer for the Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra, and has also been commissioned by Grant MacEwan University, the University of Saskatchewan, and the Strata New Music Festival.