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Artists
Artists
Whitey Glann, who played drums on 11 tracks of Northbound. He has performed with Bette Midler,Johhny Nash, (I can see clearly now,) Bush, and The James Gang. He has also 'toured the world' as the drummer for Alice Cooper and Lou Reed, (Take a Walk on the Wild Side.) He brings an incredibly steady, 'Charlie Watts' style to this project and was ably assisted by, Pablo Paul, who contributed to the percussion section with his assortment of instruments, including, bongos, congas, timbalis, crash cymbals and various other toys.
Michael Fonfara was brought on board to play piano and the Hammond B3 Organ. He was an original member of Jon & Lee and The Checkmates, the first Canadian band to ever perform on the Ed Sullivan Show - the weekly variety series which brought the Beatles to the United States. Michael was also a part of the Downchild Blues Band. He toured with Lou Reed, and was part of the group which opened for the Rolling Stones on their most recent world tour.
Anne Lindsay and I were part of a trio, (with Peter Elias on bass,) which played as a house band for the Original Hector's, a popular bar and meeting place in Toronto. This gig, which was to have been a one month stand, turned into a three year committment. It was a great learning experince for us, and we were able to develop a number of contacts in the business during this period. We opened for Phobe Snow (Poetry Man,) at the O'keefe Centre, (now, Sony Centre,)and I was offered opening act, solo opportunities at various venues during these years, with Jerry Jeff Walker, (Mr. Bojangles,) Roberto Flack, (Killing me Softly,) and Emmy Lou Harris. Anne, a naturally, beautiful woman with a matching disposition, persevered in the music industry and honed her skills over the years, to the point where she has become a much sought after violinist and string section arranger. She currently performs with Jim Cuddy and Blue Rodeo. She will never tell you this, but she came into the studio to play her parts on Northbound, the day after her father, a renowned plastic surgeon at Toronto's Sick Children's Hosptial, passed away. She is a 'real trooper' who played with genuine emotion on this Cd. Anne has recently completed her second solo Cd, (News from up the street,) which she co-produce with Oliver Shrorer.
Michael D. Francis, plays all three types of Saxophones and the Flute on Northbound. For over 25 years, he was a member of 'Asleep At the Wheel,' a cross over country band out of Texas. He has won 7 grammy awards (not Juno's) for his contributions to various award winning albums from this group. Being such an honest Texan however, he returned two of them, with the explanation, 'I didn't play on those particular albums.' Michael, who is the consumate musician, able to play any style of music tastefully, is also a veritable enclyopedia of Country music history,and a great story teller. As the late Dan Fogelberg said in his song, Leader of the Band, - 'we thank you for your music and your stories of the road."
Jason Wilson, one of the relatively younger contributors, played Hammond B3 organ and accordion on Northbound. He is an extremly versatile and interesting musician/talent, who, as a member of a Scottish immigrant family, took up residence in the Jane and Finch area of Toronto, years before it became the area it is now. He developed a taste for, and the skills associated with Reggae music, and was brought into this project to play organ on Lonely Summer Driftin and Unassuming Rock & Roll Friend, the 2 reggae flavoured tunes on Northbound. He also contributed some 'Zydeco' style accordion licks to The imPerfect Carpenter. Jason, whose cousin is the lead singer for UB40, (Red, Red Wine, etc.,) was nominated for a Juno Musical Award in Canada, for his album d'Read and Blue, which he performed with Tabarruk. He has also written a book titled, 'Lord Stanley: The Man Behind the Cup' He spent several months ferreting through and researching archival material in Ottawa for this project. This would appear to have been time well spent, for the book has already attained, Canadian Best Seller List status. He has a new double disc album, The Peacemaker's Chauffeur,' due for release in the fall of 2008. Great work Jason and Congratulations on all your achievements!
Nick, "Brownman" Ali, plays trumpet and flugelhorn on Northbound. He was brought in, after we heard his work on the aforementioned Jason Wilson album. He is a virtual ball of energy, who is the prodigy of Michael and Randy Brecker, the world famous horn playing brothers. Brownman, as he prefers to be known,is compared favourably to Myles Davis, by music critics in the United States and Canada. He continues to receive accolades and rave reviews from all over the world for his live work and recordings in the Jazz and Latin music fields. He was recently named Canada's Pre-eminent Jazz Trumpet Player, by the New York Times. As I write this article, Brownman is on tour in Japan. He has toured in 16 different countries in the past 30 days and will carry on with this hectic schedule when he returns to North America in mid April/08. I was extremely pleased to have him play on my album.
Michael Herring plays upright acoustic bass on Lonely Summer Driftin,' Fantasy Lady, Let it be me and Something so Right. He came to the Northbound project as a member of Tabarruk, the band which accompanied Jason Wilson on his first album. He is an accomplished player who has recently received a government grant to record and produce his own material.
Uli Bohnet, plays electric bass on all the other tunes on Northbound. We have had a musical connection for about 15 years. He was part of a band that Brian Gauci and I formed several years ago for recording purposes. Uli has played with several groups in the Toronto area over the years and can currently be found every Saturday afternoon with guest artists at Carrigan Arms in Burlington. Uli is also the head of the Bass guitar department at Long & McQuades on Bloor St. in Toronto.
David Carey Clarke has also dedicated much of his time to the Northbound project as both a back up vocalist and producer. We used his studio in Toronto, (Dynasound) to record all the vocal parts and instrumental overlays. I'm deeply indebted to him as well. David is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario, (where my son currently attends.) He received a degree in music and pursued a career as "David Dynamo," fronting a high energy band throughout
Canada and The United States. David is also an incredible athlete, who holds the Canadian records for his age group in both the slalom and jumping disciplines in water skiing.
Johnny 'O' was contracted by Brian to sing harmony and backup vocals on the Northbound Cd. He did an exemplary job of both. Our voices mesh nicely together. Johnny has performed his magic on several recordings and for the past 18 years has held the most secure job of anyone on this album, - he works as the doorman for the Toronto Hilton Hotel.
Gail Berry and Betty Richardson blended their incredible voices in virtuoso fashion, onto the Rowin' Against the Tide, Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love, Hollywood and Singer/Songwriter tracks on Northbound. I know they have recorded and performed with a variety of artists in Canada, but I need to acquire more information on their musical backgrounds before spouting off here. I will add their more complete thumbnail sketches to the next Website article.
Danny 'B" played the Harmonica in his normal, world class fashion on Northbound, lending an outdoorsy, around the camp fire feel. He performs throughout Canada and the United States and recently released an album with Doug Riley, just before this enormously talented Canadian keyboard player passed away.
Note: - Google the above names for more complete Bio's, detailed information on their musical careers and access to their respective web sites.
Michael Fonfara was brought on board to play piano and the Hammond B3 Organ. He was an original member of Jon & Lee and The Checkmates, the first Canadian band to ever perform on the Ed Sullivan Show - the weekly variety series which brought the Beatles to the United States. Michael was also a part of the Downchild Blues Band. He toured with Lou Reed, and was part of the group which opened for the Rolling Stones on their most recent world tour.
Anne Lindsay and I were part of a trio, (with Peter Elias on bass,) which played as a house band for the Original Hector's, a popular bar and meeting place in Toronto. This gig, which was to have been a one month stand, turned into a three year committment. It was a great learning experince for us, and we were able to develop a number of contacts in the business during this period. We opened for Phobe Snow (Poetry Man,) at the O'keefe Centre, (now, Sony Centre,)and I was offered opening act, solo opportunities at various venues during these years, with Jerry Jeff Walker, (Mr. Bojangles,) Roberto Flack, (Killing me Softly,) and Emmy Lou Harris. Anne, a naturally, beautiful woman with a matching disposition, persevered in the music industry and honed her skills over the years, to the point where she has become a much sought after violinist and string section arranger. She currently performs with Jim Cuddy and Blue Rodeo. She will never tell you this, but she came into the studio to play her parts on Northbound, the day after her father, a renowned plastic surgeon at Toronto's Sick Children's Hosptial, passed away. She is a 'real trooper' who played with genuine emotion on this Cd. Anne has recently completed her second solo Cd, (News from up the street,) which she co-produce with Oliver Shrorer.
Michael D. Francis, plays all three types of Saxophones and the Flute on Northbound. For over 25 years, he was a member of 'Asleep At the Wheel,' a cross over country band out of Texas. He has won 7 grammy awards (not Juno's) for his contributions to various award winning albums from this group. Being such an honest Texan however, he returned two of them, with the explanation, 'I didn't play on those particular albums.' Michael, who is the consumate musician, able to play any style of music tastefully, is also a veritable enclyopedia of Country music history,and a great story teller. As the late Dan Fogelberg said in his song, Leader of the Band, - 'we thank you for your music and your stories of the road."
Jason Wilson, one of the relatively younger contributors, played Hammond B3 organ and accordion on Northbound. He is an extremly versatile and interesting musician/talent, who, as a member of a Scottish immigrant family, took up residence in the Jane and Finch area of Toronto, years before it became the area it is now. He developed a taste for, and the skills associated with Reggae music, and was brought into this project to play organ on Lonely Summer Driftin and Unassuming Rock & Roll Friend, the 2 reggae flavoured tunes on Northbound. He also contributed some 'Zydeco' style accordion licks to The imPerfect Carpenter. Jason, whose cousin is the lead singer for UB40, (Red, Red Wine, etc.,) was nominated for a Juno Musical Award in Canada, for his album d'Read and Blue, which he performed with Tabarruk. He has also written a book titled, 'Lord Stanley: The Man Behind the Cup' He spent several months ferreting through and researching archival material in Ottawa for this project. This would appear to have been time well spent, for the book has already attained, Canadian Best Seller List status. He has a new double disc album, The Peacemaker's Chauffeur,' due for release in the fall of 2008. Great work Jason and Congratulations on all your achievements!
Nick, "Brownman" Ali, plays trumpet and flugelhorn on Northbound. He was brought in, after we heard his work on the aforementioned Jason Wilson album. He is a virtual ball of energy, who is the prodigy of Michael and Randy Brecker, the world famous horn playing brothers. Brownman, as he prefers to be known,is compared favourably to Myles Davis, by music critics in the United States and Canada. He continues to receive accolades and rave reviews from all over the world for his live work and recordings in the Jazz and Latin music fields. He was recently named Canada's Pre-eminent Jazz Trumpet Player, by the New York Times. As I write this article, Brownman is on tour in Japan. He has toured in 16 different countries in the past 30 days and will carry on with this hectic schedule when he returns to North America in mid April/08. I was extremely pleased to have him play on my album.
Michael Herring plays upright acoustic bass on Lonely Summer Driftin,' Fantasy Lady, Let it be me and Something so Right. He came to the Northbound project as a member of Tabarruk, the band which accompanied Jason Wilson on his first album. He is an accomplished player who has recently received a government grant to record and produce his own material.
Uli Bohnet, plays electric bass on all the other tunes on Northbound. We have had a musical connection for about 15 years. He was part of a band that Brian Gauci and I formed several years ago for recording purposes. Uli has played with several groups in the Toronto area over the years and can currently be found every Saturday afternoon with guest artists at Carrigan Arms in Burlington. Uli is also the head of the Bass guitar department at Long & McQuades on Bloor St. in Toronto.
David Carey Clarke has also dedicated much of his time to the Northbound project as both a back up vocalist and producer. We used his studio in Toronto, (Dynasound) to record all the vocal parts and instrumental overlays. I'm deeply indebted to him as well. David is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario, (where my son currently attends.) He received a degree in music and pursued a career as "David Dynamo," fronting a high energy band throughout
Canada and The United States. David is also an incredible athlete, who holds the Canadian records for his age group in both the slalom and jumping disciplines in water skiing.
Johnny 'O' was contracted by Brian to sing harmony and backup vocals on the Northbound Cd. He did an exemplary job of both. Our voices mesh nicely together. Johnny has performed his magic on several recordings and for the past 18 years has held the most secure job of anyone on this album, - he works as the doorman for the Toronto Hilton Hotel.
Gail Berry and Betty Richardson blended their incredible voices in virtuoso fashion, onto the Rowin' Against the Tide, Mercy, Pity, Peace and Love, Hollywood and Singer/Songwriter tracks on Northbound. I know they have recorded and performed with a variety of artists in Canada, but I need to acquire more information on their musical backgrounds before spouting off here. I will add their more complete thumbnail sketches to the next Website article.
Danny 'B" played the Harmonica in his normal, world class fashion on Northbound, lending an outdoorsy, around the camp fire feel. He performs throughout Canada and the United States and recently released an album with Doug Riley, just before this enormously talented Canadian keyboard player passed away.
Note: - Google the above names for more complete Bio's, detailed information on their musical careers and access to their respective web sites.
