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Musicians                                      

Ian Bargh  -  piano  

was born in Scotland and has made Canada his home for over forty years. Ian has

demonstrated his skills as a jazz pianist over a lengthy time in Toronto backing various Jazz

Greats such as Jim Galloway, Buddy Tate, Buck Clayton, Lee Konitz, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Warren Vache, "Spanky" Davis, Zoot Sims, Joe Temperley and Al Cohn to name a few. His repertoire covers the spectrum of classic popular songs and jazz standards. Ian is a veteran

of the Toronto jazz scene and has enjoyed rewarding musical associations with a "who's who"

of jazz. Ian is a very versatile solo performer, band leader, accompanist and studio musician

who is fully conversant with all the intricacies of the piano. I am very fortunate to have his

musical expertise and musicality available to us for this recording. He’s none other than the

best!               

Laurie BowerB MUS ED  -   trombone

is multi-talented. He studied trombone, choral technique, and music technique at the University

of Toronto and played in the dance bands of Benny Louis, Ozzie Williams, and Mart Kenney

before pursuing a dual career in Toronto studios as a trombonist, singer and choral arranger. Laurie was born in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. After singing with several CBC vocal groups, he

formed the Laurie Bower Singers, who have recorded many jingles, and performed in concerts

and on TV accompanying other performers. The singers made 12 LPs of pop songs (arranged

by Bower) for the CTL. Five were issued commercially: three under the title The Laurie Bower Singers. Laurie was a founder of the Spitfire Band, serving as its vocal arranger and a

trombonist. He also began playing during the 1980s with big bands or orchestras led by Peter Appleyard, Guido Basso, and Jim Galloway, and with Al Laurie's Jazz Corporation. Laurie's extensive background makes him a great asset to the recording. It is an honour to work with Laurie. He is one of the 'greats' in the industry - a 'class' act'.

Duncan Hopkins -  bass

is also a composer and arranger. Duncan makes his home in Toronto but has toured

extensively throughout the world. He has played with a variety of artists: Diana Krall, Kenny Wheeler, Peter Appleyard, Ed Bickert, Lorne Lofsky and arrangers: Robert Farnon, Ralph Carmichael to name but a few. He has also toured with the famed Rob McConnell and the

Boss Brass. Their performances include places such as Carnegie Hall. He can be heard on

over thirty albums and numerous CBC recordings. Duncan’s three solo albums have all

received international acclaim. A new project "the Anglo/Canadian Project" has also been well received internationally and continues to garner attention worldwide. Duncan has a keen ‘ear' and a superb talent. He is in great demand in the jazz industry.

Luis Ochoa  -  guitar

was born, raised and educated in Havana, Cuba. He began his full time studies at the tender

age of ten in some of the most distinguished conservatories in his native country. He graduated from the University of Havana. Arriving in 1990 to Canada, Luis fronted his own band,

produced numerous CDs, performed at places such as Harbourfront Centre, Beaches Jazz Festival, London Sunfest and the 91.1 Jazz FM Ontario Place series. Not only is he a superb

jazz guitarist, he is a superb singer, composer, and arranger. Luis is also a professor at Humber

College and the World of Music Toronto organization. Luis is a consummate professional and such a genuine person. Not only is he extremely talented, he is an absolute pleasure to work with.

Don Vickery -  drums & percussion                             

a well-known jazz drummer, has been performing professionally in the Toronto area since his arrival from Halifax in 1959. A graduate of the prestigious Oscar Peterson School of Music,

Don has worked with the world’s leading jazz artists, entertainers, and big bands, on

recordings, radio and TV shows, touring, and in countless live performances. He has played

with a lengthy list of some of the ‘who’s who’ among the world’s leading jazz performers

including Benny Carter, Joe Williams, Buddy De Franco, Peter Appleyard, Dave McMurdo,

The World’s Greatest Jazz Band, Zoot Sims, Ed Bickert, Norman Amadio, Rob McConnell,

Buddy Tate, Moe Koffman, Tony Bennett, and Mel Torme.
Don has been a member of the Music Faculty at Humber College since 1974, and currently

plays drums with the Canadian Jazz Quartet, the Jim Galloway Wee Big Band, The Spitfire

Band, and the Ian Bargh Trio. Don is the best jazz drummer in all of Canada! I am so proud

to have him on this CD recording.