Robert, better known to many as “The Big Bopper” made the transition from being the bass player to being the band’s Tenor Sax player. His energy, humour and rich vocals made him a fan favourite.

Then came a 14-year stint as the Bass singer in the well-known local a capello group, Cornerstone. His unmistakable bass voice, sense of humour, and abilities as a composer and arranger provided the foundation for the group’s sound. More recently been seen as the drummer/vocalist in the The Blue Moon Band.

This multi-talented musician has now embarked on another project. Robert K has always been known for his bass voice as part of a group but has recently been working hard to polish his unique style as a lead vocalist. In his own words: “Finally, now that I have the freedom, it’s time to get serious about the thing I love the most… my music!” He has recorded two of his own albums, “Just Me”and “Lessons In Love”.

In addition to playing at the Sooke Fine Arts Show for the past three years, Shreyas, his younger vocalist sister, and Bill have performed in at a number of retirement homes, private functions and the Sidney summer market.  Shreyas is 15 and continues to be an honour student at school.

Morry’s concert appearances have included tours across North America, Japan, Hawaii, Finland, and the U.S.S.R.  He has performed with David Foster, Kenny Loggins, Peter Cetera, Bryan Adams, Gordon Lightfoot, Chicago, Richard Marx, Michael Mcdonald, Booker T, Kenny Rogers, Celine Dion, Michael Bolton, Sheena Easton, Paul Brant, Lisa Brokop, Nelly Furtado, and many more.

PATRICK was born in Dublin, Ireland, the youngest member of the Shannon Players, one of the last traveling road musical variety shows touring all counties in Ireland, and his dad’s company. When Patrick came to Canada with a show band, he continued as a guitarist and house musician for places such as the Banff Springs Hotel, Jasper Park Lodge, and Chateau Lake Louise revered for his talent and because he was versed in many genres from classical to rock.

PATRICIA, whose family was from Cork, was living and teaching in Lethbridge, Alberta when they met and began their harmonious adventure that eventually brought them to Vancouver Island. They have presented stage shows, in the style of the “Fit-Ups”, played numerous house concerts, performed for weddings, and all events for all ages. They both enjoy writing music, and are well known, as well, for taking traditional Celtic music and making it their own through their arrangements. Both are trained musicians and plan to keep on growing in their music, teaching to adults and children, alike. Patricia plays the Celtic harp (built by Patrick), and the bodhran, loves to share an emotional and sweet ballad, and plays other hand percussion instruments to add a world beat flavour to their music. Influences include The Chieftains, Lunassa, Kim Robertson, Alie Robertson, and Sharlene Wallace. Patrick plays guitar of all types, bass mandolin, mandolin, fiddle, and Irish low D whistle. Influences include The Chieftains, Lunassa, Paco De Lucia, John Maclaughlin, Rolend Dyens, and Al Di Miola.

Bill also uses a Bose sound system, which delivers his music with clarity, and he always keep the volume at a level that lets people comfortably converse while he plays. The mellow quality of Bill’s music at his performances helps to enrich people’s experience. Audiences say his music is vibrant, refreshing, and original.

“As Los Gringos Locos, Mike and Al are consummate musicians. Real music is felt in the bones and the soul and played freely with engagement and expression. They played the music like a conversation between two guitars. It was ever shifting, alternating back and forth, up and down in volume, sometimes neat chordal runs sometimes bell tone single notes. The favourites were interesting and always pleasingly arranged and the original compositions were a delight. Mike and Al are among the best frets men I have ever had the joy to hear!” – Tark Hamilton, Deep Cove Folk Club.

…Howie Mandel, Rich Little (and his lesser known brother Fred), Bob Newhart, Shari Lewis (and Lambchop), and Ted Knight, played with the Valdy, Moody Blues, Powder Blues Band, Jan Arden, The Shirelles, and Leslie Gore, and opened for the Temptations and solo for legendary jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli. Karel has composed extensively for film, television and video productions, produced more than sixteen of his own recordings, two jazz trio CDs and many solo piano CDs.

Canadian/International Jazz singer, Maureen Washington is one of Vancouver Island’s most sought after vocalists. Her rich tones and captivating emotions have cultivated large audiences with her styling that encompasses the soul of Etta James, Carmen McRae and the modernity of Holly Cole. Based in Victoria, she continues to create new musical avenues and is blessed with a growing entourage of fans as she performs with duos, sextets, and solo artists, including singing back up on Canadian Folk legend Valdy’s 2011 album, Read Between the Lines.
Maureen is an accomplished jazz and blues vocalist, songwriter, and instructor. In the winter of 2016, Maureen released her ninth album, “Harvest Moon”. Maureen has also worked as a singer-songwriter, vocal instructor, hosted and performed main stage at the Prince George International Folk Fest.

For the past 18 years Joey Smith has been bassist for many local groups and has collaborated with various artists during their stops in Victoria. He has written numerous arrangements for such groups as the Glenn Miller Orchestra and the Victoria Symphony, also arranging some of the music for the Commonwealth Games in 1994.
Joey plays with the Marc Atkinson Trio, the Karel Roessingh Trio, the CanUS traditional jazz band and many other groups in town. He has been a faculty member at the VCM in the Jazz Studies Department since 2004 and has been involved with the Conservatory’s Summer Jazz program since 2006.

A mid-70’s move to Victoria led to a diverse career in playing, teaching, and rebuilding pianos and opening his own piano business. Dave has played with local and visiting musicians including the Paul Mascioli Big Band, Grand Slam, Fraser McPherson, and had a ten-year stint as musical director/conductor for Butchart Gardens’ summer show.

Linda debuted with Calgary’s Mount Royal College orchestra at the age of eleven, under the baton of J.S. Bach (great-great-etc grand-nephew of the famous Bach). She received a BMus with distinction in piano performance in 1978. Linda studied with Georgy Sebok in Victoria and at the Banff Centre for Performing Arts as well as with inspiring jazz teachers Randy Halberstadt, Karel Roessingh and Lynne McNeil.

Winner of numerous medals in concerto, solo and chamber music competitions, Linda was also awarded “Tech Teacher of the Year” at the national CFMTA.

A BCRMTA-registered piano teacher since 1971, Linda teaches group and private piano lessons at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, and in her own studio. She provides workshops for teachers and inspires students to share their joy of music by playing at her famous Musical Matinees.

Dave and Linda now spend time developing their adult teaching program “Play Piano Today”, working as solo and duo pianists, and spending as much time as they can at the keyboard. They helped form the Universal Jazz Advocates & Mentors (U-JAM), to promote jazz and encourage music making at all levels.