Rob Smith - Trumpet

Multi-instrumentalist Rob Smith received his Bachelors of Arts in trumpet performance from Central Michigan University and Masters of Music in jazz studies from the University of North Texas where he was jazz trumpet soloist with the world-renowned One O'Clock Lab Band. In 1990 Rob toured the United States and Canada with the Woody Herman Orchestra with whom he still tours on occasion. In 1991, Rob performed and recorded with jazz luminary organist Charles Earland, performing on trumpet as well as soprano and tenor saxophone. In the fall of 1992, he accepted a position as Professor of Jazz Trumpet at St. Xavier University in Nova Scotia, a job he held for three years. He has also taught at Michigan State University and Central Michigan University. Rob's performance and recording experience includes many different styles of music ranging from Jazz to Latin music. He can be heard on recordings by the One O'Clock Lab Band from 1987-1989 and has also produced two jazz c.d.'s as leader: Out On A Limb and Angst For The Spoiler. Rob has recently recorded with Kirk MacDonald on his new release New Beginnings, and with the Woody Herman Orchestra, Live at Ronnie Scott's in London, England.

Lorne Lofsky - Guitar

Born in Toronto, Lorne Lofsky is unquestionably one of Canada's finest jazz guitarists. Beginning in the mid 1970's, when he was a student in the Music Department at York University (where he now instructs jazz workshops), his career has been carefully followed by the local Toronto media. In l981,a critics poll conducted by the world's premier jazz magazine, Downbeat, rated Lofsky among the top ten jazz musicians in the world who deserved wider recognition. In 1980, after hearing Lofsky in a Toronto Jazz Club, Oscar Peterson telephoned him and offered to produce his first album on the prestigious Pablo label. The resulting effort, entitled "It Could Happen to You" brought four star acclaim from such respected jazz critics as Leonard Feather. The good taste and harmonic beauty Lofsky expresses through his music has seduced audiences in numerous club and concert dates across North America. Lofsky's distinctive guitar stylings have been heard with such major artists as Dizzy Gillespie, Chet Baker, Tal Farlow, Oscar Peterson and Rosemary Clooney. He has appeared with Oscar Peterson at major concert venues such as the Vienna State Opera House, North Sea Jazz Festival in The Hague and the Philarmonie Hall in Munich. He has also appeared in concert with the Lorne Lofsky Trio at Ontario Place and Harbourfront in Toronto. In addition, Lofsky has been a featured guest on numerous television and radio shows including a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation production entitled "Oscar Peterson and Friends" and a live broadcast on WEBR radio in Buffalo with Chet Baker. The beauty and depth of his musical expressions have made Lofsky no stranger to critical acclaim.

Brian Dickinson - Piano

Since his arrival in Toronto in 1979, pianist Brian Dickinson has worked with many jazz luminaries including Randy Brecker, John Abercrombie, Sonny Fortune, Jerry Bergonzi, Dewey Redman, Pat LaBarbera, Sheila Jordan, Sonny Greenwich, Kenny Wheeler, and Eddie Daniels. As a leader Brian has released four recordings. His second CD release “In Transition” was awarded a Juno Award for best jazz recording in 1991. Brian's current trio was formed in 1992 and includes Jerry Fuller (drums) and Keiran Overs (bass). This group has released two recordings, both on the Jazz Inspiration label (“Brian Dickinson” JID 9304, and “Live at the Senator” JID 9308) both of which have enjoyed success in Canada, Japan and the U.S. His most recent recording “Still Waters” is a duo setting with trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, and is scheduled for release on the Hornblower label. As a sideman, Dickinson can be heard on many recordings, including Mike Murley's “Two Sides” (Juno Award Winner, 1990) and “Time and Tide“, Keiran Overs' “Gateway”, “Shapeshift” and “Quartetto”; Michael Stewart's “The Blessing”, and Roy Patterson's “The Coming of Angels” and “Inland Passages” (1996 Prix de Jazz winner, Festival International de Jazz de Montreal). In addition to his concert, club and touring engagements, Brian is on the jazz faculty at the University of Toronto and Humber College. Brian holds a Masters in Music (with distinction) from the New England Conservatory.

Neil Swainson - Bass

Neil Swainson was born in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada on November 15, 1955. He gained his first professional experience in the Victoria area, working with local bands. He began working with Paul Horn in 1975, and played in his band for two years. As well, he backed up such musicians as Barney Kessell, Herb Ellis, and Sonny Stitt. Neil moved to Vancouver in 1976, and in 1977 to Toronto, which has become his home. Since then he has been very active in the local jazz scene, playing with such artists as Moe Koffman, Ed Bickert, and Rob McConnell. He has also played with many visiting jazz artists, to name a few: James Moody, George Coleman, Jay McShann, Tommy Flanagan, Lee Konitz, Joe Farrell, Slide Hampton, and Woody Shaw. His playing with Woody Shaw extended beyond Canada; Neil worked numerous times in New York, and did several tours of Europe with Woody. Neil has also appeared on two Woody Shaw records: "Solid" (Muse 5329) and "In My Own Sweet Way" (In & Out 7003). In 1986 Neil began working with George Shearing from time to time, until 1988 when they began working together full time, a relationship that continues today. Since then he has traveled virtually worldwide, playing in Japan, Australia, Germany, Great Britain, and all across North America. Neil has made numerous recordings with George Shearing, including: "Dexterity", "A Perfect Match" (with Ernestine Anderson) (on Concord Jazz label), "I Hear a Rhapsody", "Walkin'", "How Beautiful is Night", "That Shearing Sound", and "Paper Moon" (on Telarc). In 1989 Neil's own recording "49th Parallel" was released (Concord Jazz 4396), featuring Woody Shaw on trumpet, and Joe Henderson on saxophone. Neil continues to compose and record his original music with JMOG, a cooperative band, also featuring Don Thompson, Pat LaBarbera, and Joe LaBarbera. Several of Neil's compositions appear on recordings by other artists, including George Shearing. Neil has also worked with a number of other artists such as Jay McShann, Doc Cheatham, Geoff Keezer, Lorne Lofsky, and Kirk MacDonald. Three recordings on which he plays have won Canada's Juno Award: Jon Ballantyne's "Skydance" (Justin Time 302), P.J. Perry's "My Ideal" (Unity 128), and "Free Trade", a cooperative band featuring Rene Rosnes (Justin Time 64-2). Neil continues to freelance extensively in the Toronto area. He is also a member of the Rob McConnell Trio, and the Kirk MacDonald - Lorne Lofsky Quartet.

Jerry Fuller - Drums

Jerry Fuller was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada in 1939. He studied drums privately with Jim Blackley, and studied harmony & arranging at Westlake College in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. Jerry worked all across Canada and settled in Toronto in 1963. Besides doing a great deal of studio work, Jerry has been very active on the Toronto Jazz scene for over 35 years. Jerry has been a first call drummer for many years working with over 150 visiting jazz musicians in Toronto including: Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, George Coleman, Hank Jones, "Slam" Stewart, James Moody, Milt Jackson, Kay Winding, Pepper Adams, "Blue" Mitchell, Lee Konitz, Paul Desmond Art Pepper, Tom Harrell, Joe Henderson, Woody Shaw, etc. Jerry's recording credits include sessions with Duke Ellington, Mel Torme/Boss Brass, George Shearing, Oscar Peterson, Joe Henderson, Woody Shaw, Kirk MacDonald Quartet, Lorne Lofsky Trio, Moe Koffman, Peter Appleyard, Brian Dickinson Trio and many others.

home::biography::cds::gigs::press::news::gallery::songbook::order::links::sitemap