| Mark
LaForme |
|
MARK
LaFORME was born and raised on the Mississauga's of
the New Credit Reserve on November 6, 1954. By the age
of eleven he had his first guitar and set out to learn
and master the music he heard around the house, such
as the family's Hank Williams and Ray Charles records,
or the latest hits coming over the airwaves to the kitchen
radio.
It was this healthy dose of country, soul, rhythm &
blues and pop that became the foundation of Mark LaForme's
diverse styles, for when he sings and plays country,
he sounds country; and when he rocks, he rocks with
the best of them. |
| Avalon String Trio |
|
Avalon String Trio is a unique musical outfit that features
violinist Jenn Tufgar, guitarist Stephen Parton and 'cellist Trina
Nadeau. The three players are also available in different combinations
as a duo, ie: guitar and 'cello, 'cello and violin, etc. A guitar and
flute duo is also available.
Their repertoire includes works from the Renaissance, Baroque,
Classical, Romantic and Contemporary eras. The performances also
highlight various traditional and Celtic pieces, as well as some
original compositions. In the absence of well-known classical pieces
composed specifically for guitar, 'cello and violin (save for a few
pieces by Paginini), their arrangements have stemmed from symphonies,
string quartets, harpsichord and piano pieces, as well as 'cello
sonatas and solo guitar pieces.
Avalon String Ensemble is based out of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. |
| Curtis Ray Smith |
|
Providing the complete sound of a jazz quartet while minimizing cost and space requirements to a single performer is accomplished through the use of the latest technology in electronic sequencing for accompaniment. When required for larger venues, other musicians can be added to form a duo, trio or quartet. Curt’s 100+ song repertoire includes guitar instrumental arrangements of Jazz and Blues standards, hits from popular artists such as George Benson, Diana Krall, BB King, Ray Charles, Burt Bacharach, Carlos Santana, Aretha Franklin and The Beatles, combined with classic Latin, Motown, Soul, and R&B melodies.
Through the use of the latest “Bose L1 Model II’ sound system, the entire venue is filed with smooth, balanced, “audiophile quality” sound with no ‘hot spots’ or ‘cold spots’ within the venue. For larger venues, multiple L1 Systems can be utilized, as well as a Sennheiser wireless transmitter / receiver when possible to link to an existing music playback system.
|
| Vickie van Dyke |
|
Vickie van Dyke (vocals) was singing before she was talking (according to her mother). These days some people like her talking better than her singing. Then again, some people like her cooking better than her talking and her singing. There are those who like her ... oh, nevermind. She has written and recorded many of her own compositions, which received airplay across Canada back when dinosaurs still roamed the earth, but her number one love is performing live. Vickie says "I sing whatever I want as long as I can put a jazzy spin on it. Except for when I'm in the mood for metal." She also maintains that making music has to be fun. "It's more important to me that my players are fun people who are cool to hang out with. The fact that they are all incredibly talented is a bonus. Of course, once they become big stars they leave me, but I'm okay with that. Really. No, honest. It's fine."
Since turning to a career in radio, Vickie has also hosted her own television show and found time to write for television, radio and newspaper. Currently the midday host at Smooth Jazz WAVE 94.7 (Hamilton), Vickie was named the first ever Broadcaster Of The Year at the 2005 Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards. Her nutty off-the-cuff wit, confident stage presence, versatile voice and eclectic repertoire combine to create an unforgettably entertaining evening. |
| Julie McGregor |
|
Canadian jazz vocalist, Julie McGregor, got her start in music at age of four listening to her father's old jazz 78's. She loves modern day singers but it was the influence of her father's old record collection of jazz greats however, that most greatly influenced her and her love of jazz.
Julie works with many great jazz musicians. She has performed three times at Toronto Parkdale Arts Festival. Last year, she performed with Bernie Senensky, along with Artie Roth, Cam Jobson and sax player, Bill Mulhal. In 2004, Julie won the Best Jazz Vocalist at the Burlington Jazz Festival. In last year's Luminato's Art of Jazz Festival at the Distillery she performed in a Jazz Choir with guest soloists Kevin Mahogony and Barry Harris. In 2006, Julie was on stage with the Real Divas at the Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival in Nathan Phillips Square. Julie has also organized two very successful musical fundraising events to help save a church in her neighbourhood.
Available for any size band from duo, trio to sextet.
Jazz Review
"Caught jazz vocalist Julie McGregor's act on St. Clair Avenue West in Toronto.
I have listened to Julie perform over the last decade and her voice has matured and mellowed into a very real and personal sound. Her phrasing in her up-tempo version of 'Speak Low' was impeccable. Standards like 'End of a Love Affair' and 'You Don't Know What Love Is' had distinctive styling. And, for a steamy, humid Friday night, Dave's was packed and most people stayed for the entire evening. Julie, hat on backwards and perched on a high stool, ended the night with a memorable rendition of 'Good-Bye Pork Pie Hat' by Charlie Mingus. The crowd loved it.
Julie McGregor is definitely a jazz vocalist to watch."
Gayle Winship
|
| Michael Keys |
|
"ENTERTAINER" MICHAEL KEYS
A Singer and Keyboardist with over four decades of performing.....
It's his life-long Entertainment experience, large Repertoire and ability to perform in a wide variety of musical styles that allows Michael to read an Audience and deliver the right music... on the spot. It's what separates an Entertainer from a Player. You cannot buy this experience, you have to earn it...and Michael has certainly paid his dues...over and over again.
Starting from the early age of 10, Michael taught himself to Sing, play Keyboards and Keyboard Bass. When performing, he does all the Bass work (like Stevie Wonder and Ray Manzarek of the Doors) and the Vocals and the Keyboards... all at the same time! It's a unique style which is Michael's alone. The result is a very full sound. He doesn't read music....says he was always too busy performing to take the time to learn how. Whether it's "Easy Jazz", "Classic Pop", Boogie Woogie Blues, "Classic R'nB" or "Classic R'nR"... Michael puts his own unique "spin" on it to the delight of his Audiences.
Michael Keys performs.... SOLO, DUO, TRIO of QUARTET. |
| Tiffany Thompson |
|
| Singer-songwriter
Tiffany Thompson has been impressing audiences for
over a decade with her deep, sultry, soulful voice.
This diverse entertainer has consistently swooned
audiences in numerous jazz lounges and kept them grooving
on the dance floor at her weekly R&B shows, both
locally and across the country. Tiffany's versatility
is apparent to those fans who have experienced her
arrangement style and the quality of her voice in
both her R&B and Jazz settings. |
| Paul James Band |
|
|
Paul
James is a Canadian cultural icon. A veteran entertainer,
this player has seen all that this crazy music business
has to offer. His talents as a guitarist, vocalist,
band leader, stage acrobatic, and songwriter have
allowed James to produce the music he loves for
over three decades.
Paul
James is a Juno winner (Canadian music industry
award) in the Best Roots and Traditional Music category...
not surprizing! And Paul has recieved two Toronto
Music awards for Best Club Band and Best Blues Artist.
|
| Jack de Keyzer |
|
| From
concert halls to nightclubs, arenas to honky tonks,
guitarist, singer & song writer, Jack de Keyzer
has performed across America for the past 25 years.
Equally adept at blues/rock/country and rock-a-billy
styles the Canadian guitar icon, has released 3 CD’s
to date. His latest, Juno Award nominated (Best Blues
Album) and Maple Blues Award winning (Best Blues Recording)
Down in the Groove is a rocking and bluesy collection
of soulful originals. |
| Jonathan
Russell |
|
| Jonathan
Spent 3 years in Music Theatre at Sheridan College.
Since then, with the overwhelming support of family
and friends, Russell's career exploded locally and
is spreading across the country. The London Free Press
says, "Singer/harp player Russell recalls ageless
blues star Long John Baldry in his ability to play
areas other than the blues". |
The Blues Pirates
|
|
What do you get when you combine the classic styling of the Blues with classic Rock, R&B, Soul an d Funk? I’ll tell you what you get... “The Blues Pirates”. This band combines their love of performers like Muddy Waters, Wilson Pickett, Koko Taylor, James Brown, Stevie Ray Vaughan, ZZ
Top, Led Zeppelin, B.B. King and Bonnie Raitt just to name a few - and have mixed it up with a totally cool and funky style all their own…
So, sit back, relax and order yourself a tall cool something, because The Blues Pirates are in the house, and ready to steal away all your worries. Whether you love to dance, or just sit and listen—this band always puts on
a great show!
“This band is a classy but happening act with their own
style of up-tempo blues, rhythm and blues, and soul
that can play anywhere...”
|
| Robyn
Pauhl |
|
Canadian
Country/Jazz singer Robyn Pauhl is caught up in the
hectic pursuit of attending high school while maintaining
a career as a much-booked entertainer throughout southern
Ontario.
Already an opening act for the likes of George Jones
and Loretta Lynn, Robyn is earning her stripes in
between classes at Hamilton's Westmount Secondary
School. Not to mention performing with her Canadian
colleagues Shania Twain, Terri Clark, Prairie Oyster,
Michelle Wright, Bruce Guthro, Jason McCoy, and Jim
Witter.
In 1997 she won the Ontario Country Music Association's
Rising Star Award. Last year Robyn and the jazz band
won the gold in Montreal at a North American High
School Jazz Competition. She is currently also the
lead singer in the Hamilton All Star Jazz Band in
her spare time. Robyn is an accomplished instrumentalist
who plays accoustic guitar, bass and alto sax. She
lives with her mother Wendy and her brother Jeremy
in Hamilton, Ontario. |
| The
Majestics |
|
|
Toronto's
live music scene in the 60's and 70's produced a
number of memorable bands that made their mark,
both locally and internationally.
Few have survived the years since. One band that
did is The Majestics.Throughout the years The Majestics
have remained one of Toronto's premier groups, offering
audiences a professional entertainment package which
to this day still captures the high energy, look,
and sound made famous by the hit makers of the golden
age of Rock and Roll and Rhythm and Blues.
|
| Robbie
Lane and the Disciples |
|
This
band goes back to the golden age of Yonge Street in
the early `60's, taking over at the fabled Coq D'Or
Tavern after Ronnie Hawkins' first Hawks left him
to eventually become The Band. Robbie Lane & The
Disciples have never really gone away, but they have
performed infrequently for many years while Lane stayed
active in various parts of the music business. They
now bill themselves as a "60's/70's/80's R&B R'n'R
Show". Their regular Sunday afternoon gig at P.K.
Creek in Mississauga puts them in the spotlight once
more.
The current Disciples are: Don Hart, bass/vocals;
Joe Rigon, drums; Steve Shelski, guitar and lead vocals;
Michael Keys, piano/lead vocals; Glenn Hill, blues
harmonica/lead vocals and the horn section: Edward
"Z", tenor sax; Joe Allen, trumpet and Stewart Elliott,
baritone sax/lead vocals. Robbie Lane is the most
effective of the all the vocalists and for a band
that is not known as a blues band, this one-hour revue
is all spirited, horn band blues, albeit in a lounge
setting. |
| LMT
Connection |
|
| Through
the influences of R&.B, Rock, and Delta Blues,
the LMT Connection have mastered the unique energy
of Rock 'n Soul. Since 1989 they have established
themselves as one of the hardest working bands in
the country. Performing an average of 250 one-nighters
a year, their popularity has been built on exciting
showmanship and solid musical talents. |
| Mark
"Bird" Stafford |
|
| Mark
shares a phenomenal passion for making music and,
as he's been performing since he was knee-high to
a sharecropper and beyond. Mark loves to write, to
record and lives to hit the boards. His passion is
for 'all things '50s' and it shows in his tireless
ability to sweat, swing and boogie. Yet his wide-ranging
abilities include anything possible in both diatonic
and chromatic formats. The energy he applies to his
favourite musical styles - from Chicago blues to swing,
R&B, jump, funk and most things in-between - is
entirely his own and born of his love of enthusiastic
crowds. From suave, soulful and sophisticated, to
hard-rockin', hard-boppin' and just plain hard-not-to-love,
The Bird is - and remains - the word. |
| The
Beat Heathens |
|
The
real "Beat Heathens" was the brainchild
of former MuchMusic VJ Dan Gallagher and former Coney
Hatch bass player Andy Curran. Among the original
members of the band was guitarist Mike Montgomery
(see the Dan Gallagher page).
Mike played on and off with Dan for many years, as
well as pursuing many other musical ventures including
opening his own recording studio where he produced
over 100 albums.
|
| James
Anthony |
|
| James
Anthony has a unique style and grace, along with a
feel for a wide-range of music, stemming from Rhythm
& Blues to Country, which gives him a leading
edge. But the One feature that James is most renowned
for, is his captivating slide work. James is looked
upon as being a guitarist’s guitarist. Guitar playing
is what James Anthony does best, and that on its own,
is what leaves his audience with the feeling of complete
musical satisfaction. |
| Chris
Murphy |
|
| CHRIS
MURPHY (Saxophone,Hammond Organ and Vocals) is a blues
musician and entertainer based in London Ontario.
From 1992-1997 he was the leader and frontman with
the Old Chicago Blues Band the house band at the Old
Chicago Speakeasy and Grill in London On. The band
performed three shows a night, five nights a week
for more than five years. During that time the band
released two CD's and performed with more than 50
guest vocalists. They were also featured on their
own TV Show "Speakeasy Blues" for Rogers Cable TV
they produced 10 half hour shows and 9 one hour shows.
|
| Sharon
Musgrave |
|
World
class singer, Sharon Musgrave was born in England
and raised in Canada after a detour to her parents
homeland of Dominica. She returned to England to commence
her music career, following a one year Broadcast Journalism
course at Humber College, Toronto. Armed with confidence,
her songs and a dream, she set out to find her niche
in the British music industry. Through hard work,
her determination eventually paid off.
She toured Japan, Australia, Scandinavia, Africa,
and Europe, promoting herself on stage, radio and
television with various artists.
She was asked by WEA in 1992 to record with jazz recording
artist Julian Joseph. She sang the Curtis Mayfield
track The Other Side of Town, as a single for his
album, The Language of Truth. The video, often played
on Bravo, opened doors for a TV commercial for Teacher's
Whisky. Filmed in black and white, she played a blues
singer in a 60s bar scene, singing "No Greater Love."
|
| Odyssey
Blues Band |
|
The
Odyssey Blues Band featuring Suzanne Hyatt is one
of the finest, most popular new Blues/R&B bands
in the Niagara and Buffalo regions. Commissioned by
the Odyssey Tap & Grill in downtown St. Catharines,
the band hosts a blues matinee every Saturday afternoon
to a wide array of local and regional fans. Purely
entertaining, the band has a genuinely fun, feel-good
sound, and with the powerful voice of Suzanne Hyatt,
highlights the music of the women of the blues such
as Etta James, Koko Taylor and Bonnie Raitt. Featuring
Blues with a fun R&B spin, the band is an all
star group of veteran musicians with members from
Niagara, Toronto, and Kingston - a combination which
has garnered fast attention from Blues and R&B
fans all over the Niagara/Buffalo area.
|
General
| The
Jitterbugs |
|
| The
JitterBugs are a Jump'n'Jive Swingin' combo that takes
the sound and feel and puts it all together in a way
that grabs you, daddio. They can whip up a dance floor
frenzy just like outta some movie. It's a scene! Big
vocals, horns a'plenty and swingy rhythms that do it
up just right. This band is jumpin' with a solid 8.
|
| Mannheim
Virtuosi |
|
| Mannheim
Virtuosi is a unique string ensemble that performs a
vast array of musical styles including: Baroque, Classical,
Contemporary, Pop, Rock, Jazz, Blues, Latin, Celtic,
New Age, Seasonal, Ethnic for weddings, cocktail parties,
banquets and much more! From a duo to a 10-piece ensemble,
Mannheim Virtuosi also performs with harp, guitar, piano,
voice, flute, trumpet, drums, percussion, etc. |
| Kidz
Kidding |
|
Paul,
Mary Lou, and George are three distinct characters whose
musical antics take young audiences through a wide variety
of musical styles, including popular movie themes, as
well as original songs from their three recordings.
Shows include songs from their newest release, "Chase
A Rainbow". Their hi-tech musical arrangements and sound
production are only surpassed by Mary Lou's constant
efforts to try and control Paul and George's "kidding
around." Audience participation takes on many unique
forms in each different show.
|
| The
Cowguys |
|
The
Cowguys are an Ottawa based performing duo who have
been delighting audiences worldwide since1990.
"100 % Canadian Ground Beef" is the title of their award
winning show, in which they expertly blend circus, western
and magic skills with dexterity, wit, danger, and stupidity.
A comic explosion waiting to happen, the Cowguys are
"Guaranteed Fresh" and will make your sides hurt from
laughing too much. If causing excessive laughter was
a crime they'd be illegal.
"100% Canadian Ground Beef" features a barrage of tricks
laced with continuous patter between themselves and
the audience. They create a nonstop roller-coaster ride
of a show by expertly meshing a high level of technical
skill with their tried and tested characters. Also avid
ad-libbers, The Cowguys love to interact with the crowd
and find humour amongst their spectators. Their best
shows are those in which the crowd "creates" it's own
material. Aside from keeping shows interesting for themselves,
these ad-libbed bits are what keep crowds coming back
to see The Cowguys' show again and again. |
| Ultimate Hypnotist Dinner SHOWS |
"Expect The Unexpected"
Hypnotist Dinner Shows 75 people to Corporate.
Seeing is Believing. 2 Hours of Excitement and Laughter .
Booking into Next Year Call for Details.
LARGE SELECTION OF HYPNOTISTS TO CHOOSE FROM |
|
| Ace
up the Sleeve: Stephen Elvay |
|
|
Stephen
Elvay is an amazing magical talent. Witty, engaging
and supremely entertaining, he is one of Canada's
funniest and most popular entertainers. A master of
'Situational Comedy Magic', his one man show and extraordinary
talents have garnered rave reviews from both agents
and clients.
Projecting
a solid corporate image, Stephen combines unbelievable
feats of magic with a warm and friendly style that
is unbeatable!
Stephen's
value at your corporate function is immediate and
irresistible. His high energy humor and stunning magic
will mystify and motivate your prospects, clients
and colleagues.
|
| That
Magic Guy |
|
No
other form of entertainment is more universal than magic
and no other magician is more flexible than - Peter
Mennie, THAT MAGIC GUY! Over thirty years experience
performing in every situation, for every age group,
guarantees that he can entertain at your next gathering:
for business or pleasure! His audience has fun and they
will remember your event long after it is over!
|
|
Bearmoon
productions has serviced and hosted many different
events and functions over the past twenty five years:
weddings, anniversaries, private functions, birthday
events, bar/bat mitzvahs, summer camps, stag &
does, school events/dances, product launches, corporate
events bar/nightclubs (in Canada and the USA), and
charity events, just to name a few!
We
will work with your budget and/or your planning committee
to handle events ranging from 60 to 60, 000 people.
All
our sound and lighting equipment is professional quality,
along with well-trained and courteous staff to ensure
your event(s) run worry free.
|
| Murder
Mystery Interactive Theatre |
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