| kje |
| _______________________________ |
| Meet The Band |
Royce Williamson
Music Director / Trumpet
A native of Texas, Royce received his Bachelor and Masters degrees while studying trumpet at North
Texas State University, a prominent School of Jazz Studies in North America. His professional career
has included teaching music education at both secondary and college (Humber College) levels and
leading ensembles representing Canada both nationally and abroad. Playing and teaching trumpet as
well as directing the Kawartha Jazz Ensemble remain an important part of his busy and varied
lifestyle.
Music Director / Trumpet
A native of Texas, Royce received his Bachelor and Masters degrees while studying trumpet at North
Texas State University, a prominent School of Jazz Studies in North America. His professional career
has included teaching music education at both secondary and college (Humber College) levels and
leading ensembles representing Canada both nationally and abroad. Playing and teaching trumpet as
well as directing the Kawartha Jazz Ensemble remain an important part of his busy and varied
lifestyle.
Lori Davidson
Trumpet
Born and raised in Peterborough, Lori attended both Queen's University and North Texas State
University to study music education and jazz performance. She travelled extensively with the North
Texas "Green Brigade" marching band throughout the southern U.S. while pursuing her music
degree. Lori remains active in the local music scene playing in numerous musical groups, including
the Kawartha Jazz Ensemble.
Trumpet
Born and raised in Peterborough, Lori attended both Queen's University and North Texas State
University to study music education and jazz performance. She travelled extensively with the North
Texas "Green Brigade" marching band throughout the southern U.S. while pursuing her music
degree. Lori remains active in the local music scene playing in numerous musical groups, including
the Kawartha Jazz Ensemble.
Roger Chong
Trombone
Roger has 25+ years experience as both a jazz soloist and symphonic musician. Prior to relocating to
Peterborough, Roger led his own Jazz Quintet and his past musical experiences include performing in
the Korean Youth Symphony, Durham Big Band, Herb Knox Dixieland Band and is currently the
principal trombonist for the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra. His musical training includes four
years with the Royal Conservatory of Music and private lessons with David Archer, principal
trombonist with the National Ballet Orchestra.
Trombone
Roger has 25+ years experience as both a jazz soloist and symphonic musician. Prior to relocating to
Peterborough, Roger led his own Jazz Quintet and his past musical experiences include performing in
the Korean Youth Symphony, Durham Big Band, Herb Knox Dixieland Band and is currently the
principal trombonist for the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra. His musical training includes four
years with the Royal Conservatory of Music and private lessons with David Archer, principal
trombonist with the National Ballet Orchestra.
Ted Peters
Trombone
Ted has been performing in Toronto and abroad for over 11 years; either leading his own group or
playing sideman with some of the country's top musicians. He has played almost every major venue
in Toronto. Ted has recorded on albums for: Atlantis R&B Band (Encore), The DareDevils Of Soul
(Live @ Leo's), Two Eve Project, The Salads (Meanwhile...), Brothers 2 Soul (Brothers 2 Soul),
Norman Marshall Villenueve (Live At The Rex Hotel, and Live At The Montreal Bistro), 4 solo albums
(Here I Am, Dear Old Stokholm, Christmas Time Is Here Part I & II), In2 The Unknown (Nocturnal
Unknowns, In2 The Unknown), and many commercial ad's, and other artists albums and projects.
Currently Ted is in the works producing his 5th album: A collection of original work.
Trombone
Ted has been performing in Toronto and abroad for over 11 years; either leading his own group or
playing sideman with some of the country's top musicians. He has played almost every major venue
in Toronto. Ted has recorded on albums for: Atlantis R&B Band (Encore), The DareDevils Of Soul
(Live @ Leo's), Two Eve Project, The Salads (Meanwhile...), Brothers 2 Soul (Brothers 2 Soul),
Norman Marshall Villenueve (Live At The Rex Hotel, and Live At The Montreal Bistro), 4 solo albums
(Here I Am, Dear Old Stokholm, Christmas Time Is Here Part I & II), In2 The Unknown (Nocturnal
Unknowns, In2 The Unknown), and many commercial ad's, and other artists albums and projects.
Currently Ted is in the works producing his 5th album: A collection of original work.
Steve Webb
Trombone
An accomplished trombone player, Steve started his musical career with the Salvation Army Temple
Band in Peterborough. His outstanding musical ability provided him the rare opportunity to play in
the Canadian Staff Band and was fortunate enough to travel the globe with the organization. A
former member of Intrada Brass, Steve continues to be busy in the local music scene.
Trombone
An accomplished trombone player, Steve started his musical career with the Salvation Army Temple
Band in Peterborough. His outstanding musical ability provided him the rare opportunity to play in
the Canadian Staff Band and was fortunate enough to travel the globe with the organization. A
former member of Intrada Brass, Steve continues to be busy in the local music scene.
Justin Hiscox
Bass Trombone
Justin is a composer, arranger and a multi-instrumentalist who finds never-ending joy and thrill in the
art of making music. He plays in an eclectic variety of musical groups from symphony orchestras
to big bands to small ensembles - funk, pop, rock, and jazz bands - from solo & duo gigs to a choir
baritone section. Justin has also worked as a musical director for many theatre productions ranging
from broadway classics to dynamic outdoor shows at Millbrook's 4th Line Theatre.
Bass Trombone
Justin is a composer, arranger and a multi-instrumentalist who finds never-ending joy and thrill in the
art of making music. He plays in an eclectic variety of musical groups from symphony orchestras
to big bands to small ensembles - funk, pop, rock, and jazz bands - from solo & duo gigs to a choir
baritone section. Justin has also worked as a musical director for many theatre productions ranging
from broadway classics to dynamic outdoor shows at Millbrook's 4th Line Theatre.
Jeff Pighin
Saxophone
Jeff is a high school music teacher and band director with the Durham District School Board, and a
busy working musician. When not playing baritone saxophone with the Kawartha Jazz Ensemble, he
plays tenor saxophone with both the Swing Shift Big Band and Bad To The Bone - North America's
only tribute to George Thorogood! Jeff holds a Bachelor of Music (Education) degree from the
University of Western Ontario; and graduated with honours from the Humber College Music
Program where he studied with Pat LaBarbera, and was a member of Dave Stillwell's Blue Jackets
Required.
Saxophone
Jeff is a high school music teacher and band director with the Durham District School Board, and a
busy working musician. When not playing baritone saxophone with the Kawartha Jazz Ensemble, he
plays tenor saxophone with both the Swing Shift Big Band and Bad To The Bone - North America's
only tribute to George Thorogood! Jeff holds a Bachelor of Music (Education) degree from the
University of Western Ontario; and graduated with honours from the Humber College Music
Program where he studied with Pat LaBarbera, and was a member of Dave Stillwell's Blue Jackets
Required.
Mike Cybulskie
Bass
Playing electric fretted or fretless bass, acoustic bass and electric upright, Mike works as a freelance
live & studio musician in the Toronto area. He specializes in jazz and world music.
Bass
Playing electric fretted or fretless bass, acoustic bass and electric upright, Mike works as a freelance
live & studio musician in the Toronto area. He specializes in jazz and world music.
Brent Turner
Piano
Brent is a pianist, composer, arranger and musical director. A retired music teacher, he not only
plays with KJE, but also with the Toronto-based Swing Shift Big Band. Several of the classics
recorded with them have been given a "fresh twist" in his arrangements and he has an original
composition included on their CD. Brent has also arranged material for the Lemmon Sisters' WWII
Show "What Was Mama Doin'?", which has been featured on CBC and continues to tour the
country.
Piano
Brent is a pianist, composer, arranger and musical director. A retired music teacher, he not only
plays with KJE, but also with the Toronto-based Swing Shift Big Band. Several of the classics
recorded with them have been given a "fresh twist" in his arrangements and he has an original
composition included on their CD. Brent has also arranged material for the Lemmon Sisters' WWII
Show "What Was Mama Doin'?", which has been featured on CBC and continues to tour the
country.
Carson Freeman
Saxophone
Carson Freeman, the pride of Espanola, studied jazz performance at Humber College, earning a
music Diploma in 1998. Now living in Mississauga, Carson works for the Merriam School of Music
as a saxophone/clarinet instructor. He was also Woodwind/Brass Department Head (2001-02),
ensemble director, and has taught Master Classes on performance techniques and improvisation. On
the professional front, Carson has gigged with many notable jazz musicians; Oliver Jones, Randy
Brecker, Alistair Kay and Pat LaBarbera (with whom he studied saxophone for 3 years).
Saxophone
Carson Freeman, the pride of Espanola, studied jazz performance at Humber College, earning a
music Diploma in 1998. Now living in Mississauga, Carson works for the Merriam School of Music
as a saxophone/clarinet instructor. He was also Woodwind/Brass Department Head (2001-02),
ensemble director, and has taught Master Classes on performance techniques and improvisation. On
the professional front, Carson has gigged with many notable jazz musicians; Oliver Jones, Randy
Brecker, Alistair Kay and Pat LaBarbera (with whom he studied saxophone for 3 years).
Eric Smeaton
Drums
Eric studied classical percussion at McGill which is where he perfected his Big Band drumming
skills, sitting alongside Dave Robbins and Joel Haynes. He has experience working on Cruise Ships
as a sideman and band leader for approximately three years. Eric has taught for Trillium Lakelands
District School Board for ten years and is the newest member of the Kawartha Jazz Ensemble.
Drums
Eric studied classical percussion at McGill which is where he perfected his Big Band drumming
skills, sitting alongside Dave Robbins and Joel Haynes. He has experience working on Cruise Ships
as a sideman and band leader for approximately three years. Eric has taught for Trillium Lakelands
District School Board for ten years and is the newest member of the Kawartha Jazz Ensemble.
Brendan Cassidy
Saxophone
Brendan is a multi-instrumentalist, performing and teaching the saxophone, clarinet and flute. He
studied classical clarinet at McGill University in Montreal before moving to Toronto to study saxophone
at Humber College, where he worked with Pat LaBarbera, Don Thompson, Brian Dickinson, Alex Dean,
Kirk MacDonald and Mark Promane. He consolidated his musical training by working abroad with
various cruise ship companies; working with many great artists, such as Slide Hampton, Mickey Roker,
Bob Cranshaw, Terrell Stafford and Antonio Hart. Now based in Toronto, Brendan divides his time as
a freelance musician and private teacher. He plays many local jazz festivals, media presentations and
venues such as the Montreal Bistro, The Distillery District, Whistler's Bar & Grill and the Rex Hotel.
Saxophone
Brendan is a multi-instrumentalist, performing and teaching the saxophone, clarinet and flute. He
studied classical clarinet at McGill University in Montreal before moving to Toronto to study saxophone
at Humber College, where he worked with Pat LaBarbera, Don Thompson, Brian Dickinson, Alex Dean,
Kirk MacDonald and Mark Promane. He consolidated his musical training by working abroad with
various cruise ship companies; working with many great artists, such as Slide Hampton, Mickey Roker,
Bob Cranshaw, Terrell Stafford and Antonio Hart. Now based in Toronto, Brendan divides his time as
a freelance musician and private teacher. He plays many local jazz festivals, media presentations and
venues such as the Montreal Bistro, The Distillery District, Whistler's Bar & Grill and the Rex Hotel.
Johnny Griffith
Saxophone
As versatile as he is talented, Johnny works in a diverse range of styles, from mainstream & contemporary
jazz, latin & pop, to hip-hop. He has performed with Alex Dean, Pat Collins, Don Thompson and Barry
Elmes, some of Canada's most respected musicians, as well as alongside promising young talents such as
Liala Biali, Nick Ali, Brandi Disterheft, Quarter Tones, Zaki Ibrahim, God Made Me Funky, Nathan Hiltz,
Jason Fowler, and The Errol Fischer Blues Band. In addition to his freelance activities, Johnny is a
member of the Juno-nominated Pocket Dwellers (a nationally acclaimed 7-piece funk hip-hop band),
touring extensively across Canada, the U.S. & Europe and has performed at all the major Canadian jazz &
music festivals as well as many international festivals including the world famous Montreux Jazz Festival in
Switzerland. Johnny has shared the stage with the likes of Maceo Parker, Charlie Hunter, The Wailers,
The Roots, Wide Mouth Mason, Sloan, Treble Charger, Fishbone, Kardinal Offishal, Rahzell and Prozac.
In 2005 the band released their 5th album, PD-Atrics, on EMI/Blue Note records.
Saxophone
As versatile as he is talented, Johnny works in a diverse range of styles, from mainstream & contemporary
jazz, latin & pop, to hip-hop. He has performed with Alex Dean, Pat Collins, Don Thompson and Barry
Elmes, some of Canada's most respected musicians, as well as alongside promising young talents such as
Liala Biali, Nick Ali, Brandi Disterheft, Quarter Tones, Zaki Ibrahim, God Made Me Funky, Nathan Hiltz,
Jason Fowler, and The Errol Fischer Blues Band. In addition to his freelance activities, Johnny is a
member of the Juno-nominated Pocket Dwellers (a nationally acclaimed 7-piece funk hip-hop band),
touring extensively across Canada, the U.S. & Europe and has performed at all the major Canadian jazz &
music festivals as well as many international festivals including the world famous Montreux Jazz Festival in
Switzerland. Johnny has shared the stage with the likes of Maceo Parker, Charlie Hunter, The Wailers,
The Roots, Wide Mouth Mason, Sloan, Treble Charger, Fishbone, Kardinal Offishal, Rahzell and Prozac.
In 2005 the band released their 5th album, PD-Atrics, on EMI/Blue Note records.
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