Nominated 15x for ‘Drummer of the Year’ at the Maple Blues Awards, including for this year, 2022. The award show is on June 20th, 2022 in Toronto. https://www.mapleblues.ca/
8x Award Winner for ‘Drummer of the Year’ ( Maple Blues Awards – Feb 3rd, 2020)
Myles Goodwyn
Honoured to be recording and performing with Myles Goodwyn (April Wine) and his ‘Friends of the Blues’ Project. Plans to release his 3rd blues recording in the fall of 2022.
Myles Davidson
Currently recording drums remotely for Cape Breton singer/songwriter Myles Davidson, being produced by Dave Gunning. I have a full live drum studio set up at home here in Halifax, called ‘bonasound studios’.
Sue Foley
Toured again with Sue Foley (2017-2019). Drumming, touring, road managing, and booking (with Leo Valvassori on bass)….. all across Canada, the United States and Europe in support of ” The Ice Queen” release.
I first toured and recorded with Sue Foley in 1998, (until 2008) and I appear on her releases: “Where The Action Is”, “Change”, “New Used Car” and a Live in Germany DVD.
Twelve plus collective years with the Ice Queen…..
www.suefoley.com
Soulstack
www.soulstack.com
Appearing live and in studio with Soulstack on the releases ” Big Red” 2012 , “Five Finger Discount” 2013 and “Soulstack” (self titled) 2015, as well as other LIVE releases via youtube and iTunes.
“Five Finger Discount is an album destined for legendary status. The music Soulstack has made here will be an inspiration for future generations just as it refreshes the memory of the greatness of the works that led the way to where we are today. Soulstack is a truly great band and Five Finger Discount is an all-time great album. Essential.” Rust Magazine – Rust zine 2014
Raoul and The Big Time:
- Since 1998, I have been playing with Raoul & the Big Time, a Toronto-based blues band in the 50’s / Chicago / West Coast Swing style. www.raoulandthebigtime.com
- Raoul and The Big Time won the 1999 Maple Blues Award for Best New Artist, and Real Blues Magazine Awards in 2000 and 2001.
- We have released four recordings, “Cold Outside” 2004 and “Big Time Blues” 2001, ” You My People” 2010, “Hollywood Blvd” 2016 and released two music videos in 2004. Raoul and the Big Time CDs are available through Festival in Canada, and Crosscut Records in Europe.
Shane Cloutier
https://www.shanecloutiermusic.com/
I have been recording and performing with Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist extraordinaire for the last 10 years, appearing on his lastest recording “Red Wagon” which includes a cameo by Frank Marino, and on other recordings includung the OddClue project with Mike Tilka (from Max Webster). Margo Timmons made a cameo appearance in this recording as well, and I share drumming duties with a drumming hero of mine, Jorn Anderson.
The Wilderness of Manitoba
A recent studio session with The Wilderness of Manitoba for a release called “Between Colours” has me sharing drumming duties with Marito Marques and Howie Beck, and has a cameo by Alex Lifeson from Rush.
http://www.thewildernessofmanitoba.com
Mike Sedgewick Friday Night Blues Jam
Appearing regularly (when I’m not touring) at Salty Dogs in the Beach ( Queen Street, Toronto) for Mike Sedgewick’s Friday Night Blues Jam
http://www.fridaynightbluesjam.com/
Lou Pinto’s ‘Saint Dominiques Preview’ (a Van Morrison Tribute band)
With Colin James at the Maple Blues Awards Show \ performance:
Life, Death and the Blues:
Raoul’s epic theatre show, “Life Death and the Blues”, one hundred performances across Canada 2013-2017
Bourbon Tabernacle Choir:
Toured Canada a few times and a New York City monthly residency at Nightengales (2nd and 14th) from 1995-1996.
Marth and the Muffins:
Played the Mike Bullard show with ‘Martha and the Muffins’ for their 20th Anniversary of Echo Beach, and then re-recorded a new studio version of Echo Beach for the 30th Anniversary.
bonavoice:
bonavoice is Louanne Baker [ Notework, Brakin Tradition] , Karen Smith [ Father Jamie and Karen Smith] and Tom Bona. Lush sibling harmonies, original songs and musical richness stemming from the endless kitchen parties we all grew up with among family and friends. Produced by Tom Bona, a new recording/release is in the works featuring Richard Owens [guitar] , and tracked/engineered by Nick Smith.
Past Credits:
Maple Blue Revue / Maple Blues Band
I was the house drummer for the Maple Blues Awards from 2000-2017, with Gary Kendall, Michael Fonfara, Pat Carey, Teddy Leonard, Christ Whiteley, Al Lerman, Chris Murphy. An off shoot of the award ceremony house band was called The Maple Blues Review and featured additional guest vocals from Chuck Jackson, Dawn Tyler Watson and John Mays. www.garykendall.com/mbr.htm
Winner of seven Maple Blues Awards for ‘Drummer of the Year’.
Past Activities:
Sue Foley:
Back touring with Sue Foley since 2017. Touring, Tour management and Drumming all over Canada, America and Europe. Sue Foley’s ” The Ice Queen” was released March 2018, and Sue, Leo Valvassori and myself have been touring in support of this release.
www suefoley.com
Past info: I toured and recorded with WC Handy nominated, Juno Award and Multiple Maple Blues Award winning, roots/blues, guitarist and singer/songwriter Sue Foley from 1998 to 2007 . www.suefoley.com We recorded and released a Live in Europe DVD [ Germany ] , ” New Used Car” and a track for Bob Dylan Tribute as well as a track for “Guitar Woman” compilation on Ruf Records. “Change” Sue Foley’s ‘acoustic’ recording, was recorded live at Hugh’s Room in Toronto, December 2003. This recording won three 2004 Maple Blues Awards for Recording of the Year, Acoustic Act of the Year, and Female Vocal of the Year. I also recorded tracks on Sue Foley’s Maple Blues Award winning “Where the Action Is”, released June 2002, produced by multi-award winning producer & performer Colin Linden.
- The Sue Foley band toured Canada, USA and Europe.
Wickens Knight
This project was a Pre-Soulstack band featuring Jon Knight, Dylan Wickens, Harpo Peterson, and myself. We nurtured greasy grooves and cool vibes with a long running house gig at the now defunct ” Chicago’s Diner Bird’s Nest” on Queen Street West. The band released a CD in Spring 2005, recorded in Tom’s basement, produced by Jon Knight and the band. Wickens Knight won the Toronto Blues Society ‘ New Talent Search ‘ 2006, and this performance was recorded by CBC Radio. Word on the street is that the debut Wickens Knight’s CD has reached somewhat of an underground cult status !
Randy Dawson – NEW CD Release ” D’Nile Blues ” January 2005
Performing and recording with Randy Dawson since 1996. This new CD features Randy, myself and Bob Bilton on Bass. www.randydawson.com
Other Recording Credits:
Martha and the Muffins
– I recorded with the band the 30th Anniversary version of ” Echo Beach” ( and a few other tracks) ….Now that’s Canadiana!!
Hennessey – Life on AM Radio 1999 – www.hennessey.ca
Jeremy Robinson – Butterfly Pin 1997, Good and Gone 1998 – www.jeremyrobinson.net
Chris Warren- Beautiful Ruins 2004 – www.chriswarren.cc
Kim Doolittle – Touch Wood 2004 – www.peterboroughjams.ca/musician_kimdoolittle.htm
Wickens Knight – due this spring 2005 – www.wickens-knight.com
Randy Dawson – D’Nile Blues 2005 www.randydawson.com
Gregory Hoskins – Surgery 2000
Simon Tell – Junk Fables 1993, Live Flamingo 1992
Razzmatazz for Kids – 1993
Fire Rooster / Bats in the Belfry
Other Performing Credits:
| Arlene Bishop | Duke Robillard | Johnny Max | Philip Sayce |
| Ashley MacIsaac | Dylan Wickens Band | Junior Watson | Randy Dawson |
| Aylie Sparks (Yukon) | Glory Glory | JW Jones | Renann |
| Big Daddy G | Gordie Johnson/Big Sugar | Kenny ‘Blue Boss’ Wayne | Robbie Rox |
| Bill King’s Fish Fry | Greg Godovitz/Goddo | Kim Doolittle | Ronnie Earl |
| Blair Packham | Gregory Hoskins | Krista Blondin | Roxanne Potvin |
| Blues Doctor Julie Hill | Hennessey | Lance Anderson | Simon Tell |
| Bourbon Tabernacle Choir | Holly Cole | Mark Hummell | Steve Lukather (Toto) |
| Bunny Brown | Jack DeKeyzer | Martha and the Muffins | Southside Steve |
| Chris Armstrong | Jackie Richardson | Matt Minglewood | Steven C Barr |
| Chuck Jackson | Jackie Washington | Mel Brown | Suspect |
| Colin James | Jazz Unlimited | Michael Jerome Brown | Swing Gang |
| Colin Linden | Jeff Healey | Michael D’Amigo | The Bear Band |
| Damhnait Doyle | Jeff Martin (Tea Party) | Michelle Shocked | The Press |
| David Gogo | Jeremy Robinson | Midnight Walk | Tony D |
| Dawn Tyler Watson | Jerome Godboo | Morgan Davis | Tony Springer Wild T |
| Donny Walsh | Jim Byrnes | Paranoia | Virgil Scott |
| Don’t Talk Dance | Jimmy Boskill | Paul Reddick | Wickens Knight |
| Downchild Blues Band | John Mays / Fathead | Penny Skolski | Willie “Big Eyes” Smith |
Long John Baldry Chuck Jackson Wilderness of Manitoba
Shane Cloutier Mike Sedgewick Lou Pinto and Van Morrison Tribute
Halifax: Fire Rooster / Bats in the Belfry / Dave Dobson / Suspect / Groove Guru’s / Simon Tell / etc
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Shared the stage/festival with:
| 54-40 | Coco Montoya | Great Big Sea | Nina Simone |
| Allanah Myles | Colin Linden | James Harmon | Otis Rush |
| Amos Garrett | Country Joe MacDonald | Jennifer Warnes | Robert Cray |
| Barenaked Ladies | Dalbello | Joe Cocker | Rod Piazza and The Mighty Flyers |
| BB King | Danny Michel | John Entwhistle | Shemekia Copeland |
| Big Sugar | Delbert McClinton | John Hiatt | Sonny Landreth |
| Blue Rodeo | Dick Dale | John Lee Hooker | The Holmes Brothers |
| Bo Diddley | Double Trouble | Johnny Lang | Tom Cochrane |
| Booker T and the MG’s | Dr. John | Maceo Parker | Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers |
| Bruce Cockburn | Duke Robillard | Max Webster | Van Morrison |
| Buddy Guy | Echo and the Bunnymen | Moxy Fruvous | Bela Fleck |
| Clarence ‘Gatemouth Brown | Gary Moore | Neville Brothers |
Other Credits:
Features in Modern Drummer Magazine and DRUM! Magazine ( www.drummagazine.com ). Appearance in OMNI 1 TV’s “Metropia” ( www.cfmt.com/tv/metropia/ ) with Raoul and the Big Time. TVO appearances with Raoul and the Big Time and recently with Roxanne Potvin ( www.roxannepotvin.com ). Appeared in an Atlantis/Alliance made for TV movie ‘On Hostile Ground’ (1999), starring John Corbett (Sex and the City). Recorded on the soundtrack to CBC TV’s ‘Life and Times of Robert Bateman’ (1998). Numerous appearances on national Canadian television and radio shows, American (NPR) and UK (BBC) national radio shows.
I am a member of The American Federation of Musicians (Local 149, TMA) and an ACTRA Member.