Canadian Big Band

The Canadian Big Band membership includes many of the finest jazz and big band musicians in Canada, including some members from the former Boss Brass. With a wide range of experience, these musicians have performed with the world?s best, including such notable talents as Michael Buble, Duke Ellington, Emilie-Claire Barlow, Tony Bennett and Diana Krall.  This great Canadian band will perform classic 1930's - 40's Swing Era big band dance music for the Big Event on Saturday Evening Sept. 10, 2011 with guest vocalists Rebecca Binnendyk and Tim Louis

 

Band Members

	Don Johnson Sauble Beach On Honourary Director - Trumpet - many professional musicians know the name Don Johnson from his performance days with the Toronto Symphony, Toronto Philharmonic and the Canadian Opera Company, as well as many CBC Television and Radio Shows. During that time, Don also became one of the ... [more ]
	Rebecca Binnendyk Waterloo, On Vocalist Rebecca Binnendyk, vocalist, studied classical voice, Music Therapy and her Bachelor of Education at Wilfrid Laurier. She performs with several small jazz groups and has her own trio in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. Rebecca was the featured vocalist for the ... [more ]
	Tim Louis Waterloo, On Vocalist Tim Louis - residing now in Waterloo On, is a graduate of New Jersey?s Rutgers University where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Music studying under jazz great Kenny Barron. He has produced music for two independent short films, a TV theme song, and session ... [more ]
	Charlie Bell Southampton, On Leader - Saxophone, Clarinet and Flute - began playing clarinet and sax at an early age in Kitchener On performing in local youth orchestras and commercial bands while attending high school and The University of Western On Faculty of Music and Althouse College from which he graduated in 1976 and ... [more ]
	Andy Ballantyne Toronto, On Saxophone, Clarinet and Flute - is a graduate of the Humber College music programme, and also has a degree in performance from the University of Toronto. As a busy freelance musician on saxophone, clarinet, and flute he has established himself on the Toronto scene as a versatile performer ... [more ]
	Laurie Bower Toronto, On Trombone - arranger, singer, trombonist, born in Kirkland Lake On. He studied at the University of Toronto with Charles Peaker, Robert Rosevear, and Harry Stevenson (trombone), and played in the dance bands of Benny Louis, Ozzie Williams, and Mart Kenney before pursuing ... [more ]
	Kevin Dempsey Campbellville, On Drums - received his musical training at Mohawk College and York University. Following York University, he attended the Banff School of Fine Arts where he studied with Marvin Smitty Smith. Upon receiving a ?B? grant from the Canada Council, Kevin continued his ... [more ]
	Dave Dunlop Toronto, On Trumpet - has played with Paul Anka, Michael Buble, Shania Twain, Maynard Ferguson, Diana Krall and Tito Pente. "Dirty Dancing" "Chicago" and "Young Frankenstein" are only a few of the many musicals Dave has worked on. He has also done Pops concerts with the TSO, ... [more ]
	Bob Hamper Delta, On Bass Trombone - born and raised in Vancouver, B.C., trombonist, vocalist and educator Bob Hamper began singing in jazz vocal groups while attending UBC. He performed on many CBC radio and television programmes and worked as a freelance vocalist recording jingles while ... [more ]
	Andy Harasymczuk Flesherton, On Guitar - has been playing with many of Canada's top jazz players for over 25 years in groups ranging from duo's to Big Bands. He has also acted as impressario for the Millpond Centre for the Arts as well as the Gibson Centre for the Arts, and has been the booker ... [more ]
	Jason Hunter Kincardine, On Saxophone and Clarinet - in 2004, Jason returned to his native Kincardine after having been part of the creative music scene in Boston for nearly ten years. While there, he had the opportunity to perform with a host of jazz luminaries including Bob Brookmeyer, George Garzone, Jimmy ... [more ]
	Harvey Kogen Toronto, On Saxophone, Clarinet and Flute - performs on Saxophone, Clarinet, and Flute. Born in New York City, he studied at the Berklee School of Music in Boston and came to Canada as a musician in 1970. His night-club credits cover 20 years of appearances with such names as Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy ... [more ]
	Mike Lawson Newmarket, On Trombone - was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He began playing the trombone at the age of nine, several years later auditioning and being selected in a Canada-wide audition to play in Montreal?s Expo ?67 band. Lawson has played professionally all over ... [more ]
	Bob Livingston Midland, On Trombone - a Midland based musician, composer, arranger, has shared the stage over the years with everyone from Natalie Cole to Tony Bennett - Red Skelton to Bob Hope - Peggy Lee to Ella Fitzgerald. Is a founding member of Rob McConnell's Boss Brass, The Spitire Band ... [more ]
	John MacLeod Toronto, On Trumpet - trumpeter/composer/arranger/ band leader, John's career in music spans over three decades. A native Torontonian, he received his musical training at Humber College.? In 1982 he joined Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass, ?a multi Grammy and Juno award winning ... [more ]
	Steve McDade Stratford, On Trumpet - is a well established jazz and commercial player in the Toronto music scene, Steve appeared as lead trumpeter in numerous theatre productions such as ?The Producers?, ?Rat Pack?, ?Chicago?, ?Fosse?, ?Miss Saigon?, and more. He was a member of the Juno Award ... [more ]
	Danny McErlain Toronto, On Piano - has been a mainstay of the Toronto music scene for three decades, his versatility keeping him in demand at clubs, on the concert stage, the theatre, and behind the scenes rehearsing performers for popular shows and opera. A favourite accompanist with jazz ... [more ]
	Jack McFadden Markdale, On Double Bass - was born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and studied with Joe Gurney in Hamilton, Gurney Titmarsh and Thomas Monohan in Toronto, Warren Benfield in Michigan, and David Holland in New York. Early musical experiences in Hamilton were with Marshall Olchowy, Bruce ... [more ]
	Wayne McGrath Port Elgin, On Trumpet - is a retired Instrumental Music Teacher who has performed with numerous groups. He is lead trumpet and a founding member of the Stardust Big Band which has been performing for 25 years and is also lead chair in the Noodle Factory Jazz Project. He has performed ... [more ]
	Merlin Williams Stratford, On Saxophone, Clarinet and Flute - is a woodwind multi-instrumentalist. His playing experience includes three seasons with the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, twelve years with the Canadian Tribute to Glenn Miller and ten years playing with Jim Galloway's Wee Big Band. He has also appeared ... [more ]