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PROGRAM NOTES
ELECTRIC THURSDAYSTM
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Jeans ‘n Classics
Wednesday, May 13 @ 8PM
Thursday, May 14 @ 8PM
Centre In The Square, Kitchener
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REPERTOIRE
Disco Inferno...........................................................The Trammps
Never Can Say Goodbye.......................................Gloria Gaynor
Shaft............................................................................. Isaac Hayes
If I Can’t Have You............................................... Yvonne Elliman
Sukiyaki.............................................................A Taste Of Honey
Boogie Wonderland.......................................Earth, Wind & Fire
You’re Gonna Miss My Lovin......................................Lou Rawls
Hot Stuff................................................................Donna Summer
Grease......................................................................... Frankie Valli
INTERMISSION
Love’s Theme............................................................. Barry White
Best Of My Love............................................................. Emotions
Could It Be I’m Falling In Love............................... The Spinners
Stayin’ Alive..................................................................... Bee Gees
Dancing Queen......................................................................ABBA
Can’t Get Enough Of Your Love Baby.................... Barry White
September.......................................................Earth, Wind & Fire
Lady Marmalade.......................................................Patti LaBelle
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It’s your guarantee that you’ll
always get a great-tasting
cup of coffee.
WHO’S WHO
MITCH TYLER (Conductor) Mitchell
Tyler, a London, Ontario resident, is an
Honours Bachelor of Music (Theory
and Composition) and Bachelor of
Education graduate of the University
of Western Ontario and has been a
professional musician since 1987. As a
freelance electric and upright bassist,
conductor and music educator he has
done everything from theater, concert and symphony work
to session, club and corporate engagements. He is a part
time contract teacher of string music and classical guitar
with the Thames Valley District School Board in London,
Ontario.
As a long-time member of the Jeans ’n Classics Band,
Mitchell has worked with many orchestras in Canada
(Orchestra
London
Canada,
Kitchener-Waterloo
Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic, Edmonton Symphony,
Québec Symphony etc.) as well as in the United States
(Detroit Symphony, South Dakota Symphony, San Diego
Symphony et al). He has shared the stage with Roger
Hodgson (Supertramp), Lawrence Gowan (Styx), Rik
Emmett (Triumph), Alan Frew (Glass Tiger), as well as
Amy Skye, Rich Little, Joan Rivers, Mickey Rooney and
Donald O’Connor. Recent recordings include Denise
Pelley’s “Christmas From The Heart” (2007) and London
Pro Musica / Antler River Project’s “Songs of The Land”
(2008).
Mitchell has just begun his seventh season as a regular
guest conductor with Orchestra London Canada’s very
successful “Red Hot Weekends” series. In 2009, Orchestra
London Canada contracted him to write an educational
series of musical theatre shows for children that feature the
music of a great composer along with Mitchell’s original
music and the world famous children’s theatre troupe,
Dufflebag Theatre. In February, 2009, “The Adventures of
Robin Hood” was premiered featuring the 1938 film score
of Erich W. Korngold. In February, 2010, “Sleeping Beauty”
was premiered featuring Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet score.
The 3rd show in this series, “The Three Musketeers” was
produced in February 2011.
He has recently conducted the Jacksonville Symphony
(2008, 2009, 2010), The Duluth Superior Symphony
Orchestra (2010), The Lima Symphony Orchestra (2010),
The Erie Philharmonic (2009), The Colorado Symphony
Orchestra (2007) and the Cleveland Pops Orchestra
(2006) as well as the International Symphony Orchestra
(Sarnia/Port Huron). Mitchell is very much looking forward
to a return engagement with the Lima Symphony Orchestra
this season in addition to premiering a new secondary
school Educations Series concert this November with
Orchestra London Canada.
NEIL DONELL (Vocals) “You blew
me away!” These were the words
internationally renowned writerproducer David Foster spoke after
hearing Neil Donell sing for the first
time at Toronto’s legendary Blue Note
club. High praise indeed, yet such
accolades are not uncommon for the
singer/songwriter, who moved from
Montreal to emerge on Toronto’s music scene in the
eighties. Since then, Neil has come to prominence for his
extreme vocal versatility, gift for mimicry and four-octave
vocal range. This combination of attributes has made him
the “go to” voice for more than ten thousand recording
sessions, in virtually every medium where music is an
integral component. He has been referred to in the media
as “the most recorded voice in the country.” He has lent his
voice to the albums of many other artists: Anne Murray,
Triumph, Rush; the list goes on and on.
While signed to Sony Music in the nineties, Neil’s album
releases garnered him multiple Juno nominations. In 2009
Neil was asked by famed foreign correspondent Arthur
Kent to voice a song for Afghanistan in an effort to improve
conditions and awareness in the war torn country, to which
he gladly consented. More recently, his vocal performance
on “Love To Live In Toronto” earned the top prize in a
competition that featured more than five hundred entrants.
Current projects include ongoing pop concerts with
symphony orchestras throughout the U.S and Canada, and
lead vocals with the groups “Brass Transit” and “You Can
Close Your Eyes”, which perform musical retrospectives of
the songs of Chicago and James Taylor, respectively. Neil
continues to be in high demand, not only for his abilities as
a singer but also for his skillful expertise as both a producer
and arranger.
RIQUE FRANKS (Vocals) Best known
for her four duets with Dan Hill (In Your
Eyes, Hold Me Now, Sometimes When
We Touch and Can’t We Try), Rique
Franks has sung, toured, recorded and/
or written with many Canadian and
international recording artists including
Roger
Hodgson
(Supertramp),
Alannah Myles, Alexander O’Neal,
Martin Fry (ABC), Alan Frew and Glass Tiger, Susan
Aglukark, Bruce Guthro, Glen Lewis, Joel Feeney (singer/
songwriter for the likes of LeAnn Rimes), Eddie Schwartz
(Writer for Pat Benatar), Lisa Dalbello, Ronnie Greenfieldformerly Spector (The Ronettes), Lorraine Segato (Parachute
Club), Alfie Zappacosta, Stephan Mocchio (Celine Dion),
Marc Jordan (Rod Stewart) - the list goes on and on.
As a busy session singer and voice actor in Toronto, she
recently sang for David Clayton Thomas (Blood Sweat and
Mitchell also operates SMarT Laser Music Publishing
Tears) on his new album (Oct. 2010 release) as well as Justin
(www.smartlasermusic.ca) where he is kept busy working
Nozouka’s newly-released album, You I Wind Land and Sea.
as an arranger and music copyist.
WHO’S WHO
Unlike most singers who knew they wanted to do this all
their lives, Rique started late, in her mid twenties, after
being encouraged by her friend Rupert “Ojiji” Harvey
(Messenjah). She joined a cover-band on a lark and,
within the first week, was discovered by Marvin Dolgay
(Tambre Productions) and Doug Paulson (TV’s Thrill of a
Lifetime). Marvin somehow got her into the union (ACTRA)
overnight and hired her for her first jingle the very next day.
That jingle (for Thrifty’s) won an award and work suddenly
snowballed. Before she knew it, she was a very busy studio
singer and had to put university on hold. Most influenced
by the people she worked with doing jingles in those early
days, including Lisa Dalbello, Neil Donell (who sang with
her on that award-winning spot), David Blamires, Johnny
Rutledge and others, she has sung and/or read thousands
of memorable commercials for countless products.
Currently,
and core
everything
Zeppelin
Rique performs live as a featured soloist
performer with Jeans ‘n Classics singing
from Annie Lennox to Gershwin to Led
with orchestras across North America.
ANDREA KOZIOL (Vocals) Andrea
Koziol is a Toronto based singer and
composer, who is active on the folk
and jazz festival circuit. She has 5 solo
CDs to her name, including her most
recent “Half Way Sweet” which is the
result of her ongoing fascination with
juxtaposing the ukulele against larger
ensemble pop music arrangements.
Her voice can be heard on countless Canadian albums, and
her music can be heard in films such as “The R Word”, “The
Baby Formula” and “Elemental”. An active co-writer, she
has penned award winning songs for jazz prodigy Michael
Kaeshammer, and Canadian pop sensation Tianda.
She is a devoted member of the all girl vocal ensemble
Lushus, and has collaborated with the guitar great Kevin
Breit, the Toronto Tabla Ensemble, and countless birds in
her backyard. She continues a very rewarding relationship
with Jeans and Classics, singing with wonderful symphony
orchestras all over North America...and loving it!
Finally, Rique can be heard daily as the on-air speaking- Visit Andrea at: www.andreakoziol.com
voice of Showcase Television and Showcase Diva, saying,
STEPHANIE MARTIN (Vocals) Born
among other things, “viewer discretion is advised”... a lot.
in the US to Canadian/Greek parents
and raised in California and Montreal,
Buy her stuff at iTunes, and other online music retailers.
Stephanie now calls Toronto home.
Read more and listen at: www.myspace.com/riquefranks
After successful runs in theatre
(the leading role of Eponine in the
GAVIN HOPE (Vocals) Gavin has
bilingual production of Les Misérables
a diverse experience through song,
in Montreal led to other projects
stage, film, and TV throughout his
and acclaimed appearances in Paris,
career. After being the youngest
London, Germany and Japan), film and television (she has
member in Calgary Opera Chorus
lent her voice to several films and animated television series,
history, he’s been a member of Alberta
including for Disney, the role of Pocahontas in the French
pop group The EarthTones, sang
language versions of the films and records) she released her
with Michael Bolton, and eventually
debut CD ‘Shape, line & harmony’ in 2007. The disc was
became a member of Canadian Pop
A Cappella institution, The Nylons. Four albums, chosen by CBC Radio as one of the year’s best releases and
constant touring, and a Juno Nomination later, Gavin is distributed nationally by Fontana North/Universal Music.
ventured into theatre, where highlights include RENT,
and having the opportunity to play the role of Simba in
the original Canadian company of The Lion King. Some
other selected credits include Tempest and As You Like
It with Canstage, and Gavin also had the pleasure of
performing with Stage West Calgary’s Smokey Joe’s Café.
Gavin recorded his debut album “Anything Like Mine” in
1998, gaining favorable chart positions on Canadian airwaves
with 9 singles, including “Can I Get Close” which garnered
him another Juno nomination for best R&B recording.
Gavin has had many great opportunities to travel the world
and share the stage with celebrities such as Deborah Cox, Jill
Scott, Shania Twain, Michelle Wright, Natalie Cole, James
Brown, and Aretha Franklin. After some time gigging with
multiple bands, performing jingles for Radio and Television,
being a featured vocalist with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity
Cruise Lines, Gavin is now finally looking forward to getting
back in the studio to record another album very soon!
Martin, backed by her 4 piece band has been touring
in support of ‘Shape, line & harmony’ and is currently
preparing her sophomore project.
She continues to establish herself as a Canadian songwriter,
a bilingual recording artist and actor in Canada and abroad.
STEVE LUCAS (Electric Bass) Steve
Lucas is an international recording and
touring bassist/ composer / producer
who has performed, toured or recorded
all over the world with Grammy Award
winning artists, as well as in television
and film, including Academy Award
nominated film “Precious” in 2010;
The David Letterman Show; eTalk’s
TAcademy Award special John Lennon documentary “I
Met the Walrus” and many others. He has been featured
in publications such as the New York Times, Bass Frontiers,
Canadian Musician and Toronto’s NOW magazine.
WHO’S WHO
As a music composer/producer, Steve’s cutting edge
electronic music tracks have been featured in film and
television productions such as Alicia Keys’ “The Diary of
Alicia Keys” DVD, Animal Planet, Australia’s Top Model,
eTalk Profile featuring Gwen Stefani, Auto Racing TSN,
Canada AM, , MTV Screen, Better Homes and Gardens,
Battlequeen 2020, eTalk’s Academy Award special John
Lennon documentary “I Met the Walrus”. Steve also wrote
the theme songs for The Score Network’s “This is the Score”
sports show and Pride TV’s “Shout” news program, as well
as performing and composing music for Leonard Cohen’s
documentary film “This Beggar’s Description”.
Steve’s latest CD titled “Gamma Jazz”, which combines jazz
with the modern styles of drum ‘n bass, trip hop and jungle
has received accolades from around the world.
JOHN REGAN (Keyboard) Originally
spotted by J’nC boss Peter Brennan
while performing solo in a London
Ontario nightclub, John Regan has
been part of the Jeans ‘n Classics Band
for almost two decades. John mixes
classical training with an ear for the pop
and rock music of the last six decades.
Influenced early on by the piano work
of Elton John, Joe Jackson, Bruce Hornsby, Roy Bittan
and even Tom Waits, John played as a solo artist around
southern Ontario, offering a vast repertoire of material for
listeners. He mixed in some time with London’s Second City
Dinner Theatre, and then caught on with Jean ‘n Classics.
Since joining Jeans ‘n Classics, he has played with
orchestras across North America, including the Detroit
Symphony ,the Colorado Symphony, the Calgary
Philharmonic, the Ft. Worth Symphony, the Cincinnati
Pops and the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, to name a few.
Frequently, John hosts Jeans ‘n Classics concerts,
providing
audience
members
with
interesting,
informative and sometimes inane facts about the music.
His musical theatre experience includes productions at
the Grand Theatre London, Huron Country Playhouse,
and the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, as well as
a four-month position with Chandris Fantasy Cruise
Lines based in the Caribbean. His jazz performances
include collaborations with Sam Noto, Phil Nimmons, Al
Kay, Jeff Stout, George Zonce, Duncan Hopkins, Mike
Murley, Kevin Turcotte, Jerry Johnson, and Guido Basso.
During his tenure as composer in residence with Orchestra
London, he wrote several major compositions including
Algoma, a tone poem for orchestra, and Concerto for English
Horn. Jeff has worked with Amy Sky, Marc Jordan, Lorraine
Segato (The Parachute Club), Alan Frew (Glass Tiger), Rik
Emmett (Triumph) Brian Vollmer (Helix), Lawrence Gowan,
Jim Witter, Thomas Wade and The Spoons. Jeff’s original
compositions for a wide variety of ensembles are in demand
internationally. His music for the Opening Ceremonies of
the Canada Games premiered on national television in the
summer of 2001. Jeff has worked on various feature films
and television programs with credits including High Point
Casinos (Global TV), National Aboriginal Achievement
Awards (CBC) and “Chatroom” (HBO, BET). His most
recent commissions include Bluewater Portrait for solo
oboe and orchestra, and Canadian Voyage, a five-movement
suite for french horn and orchestra.
PETER BRENNAN (Guitar, Jeans ‘n
Classics Founder) Born in England,
Peter moved to Canada as a child.
Growing up he was heavily influenced
by the Beatles initially, however the
love affair with all things musical
continued and grew to include
everything from Jimi Hendrix to Gilbert
and Sullivan. Peter studied music
formally for a time, but ultimately the lure of a traveling
rock band won out. During the ‘70s and ‘80s he toured
extensively throughout North America, establishing
himself as a guitarist and Music Director with a variety of
groups. He also became an in demand producer/arranger
with top ten successes in the UK, producer awards and
grants in Canada, and was selected as a Juno judge.
By day, John teaches History, Religion and Vocal
Music at a high school in St. Thomas Ontario,
where he also coaches the football team. Peter has always loved the sound of a rock band with an
orchestra. In the early ‘90s this dream became a reality for
He lives in London ON, with his wife and two small children. him with the establishment of Jeans ’n Classics. What began
as seven scared people assembled for a one-off concert
JEFF CHRISTMAS (Drums) Jeff is a experiment with an equally nervous orchestra, has grown
Canadian-based composer, arranger, into an ensemble of twenty-nine people presenting forty-five
conductor, drummer, percussionist different pop/rock productions with over eighty orchestras
and trumpeter. He studied at York worldwide, to some two hundred thousand people annually.
University, Toronto, the University of
Western Ontario, London, Ontario, The J&C family features some of the finest vocalists and
and Berklee College of Music, instrumentalists in Canada and the US. It also boasts a
Boston, where he majored in Film number of headliners of worldwide note, including Roger
Scoring and Composition. He has Hodgson (formerly of Supertramp) and Martin Fry of ABC.
performed with several symphony orchestras across North
While there have been and continue to be magnificent
America, as well as appearing internationally with such
concert and orchestral experiences with Jeans ’n
notable artists as Denny Doherty, The Rankin Sisters,
Classics, certainly the April 2009 concert with ABC at
Ashley McIsaac, J.P. Cormier, and Michael Burgess.
The Royal Albert Hall in London, England stands out.
He recently conducted a tour with Roger Hodgson
(Supertramp). He was musical director/arranger for
On the home front Peter recently received the Mayor’s
the Opening of the MTS Center in Winnipeg where he
Award for the Arts in London, Ontario where he
conducted the WSO and guest artists Randy Bachman,
resides, and was named to the University Of Western
Burton Cummings, Tom Cochrane and Chantal Kreviazuk.
Ontario, Faculty Of Music “Wall Of Fame” in Sept. 2010.
WHO’S WHO
Oboe
Sarah Cardwell
Elizabeth Eccelston
Clarinet
Mara Plotkin
Nonna Aroutiounian
Bassoon
Melanie Eyers
Kevin Harris
Horn
Tim Lockwood
Nicole Alexander
Trumpet
Paul Stevenson
Julie Vaughan
Trombone
Rob Stone
Percussion
Dave Robilliard
Brennan Connolly
Violins
Megan Jones (Concert Master)
Carlos Armao
Emily Field
Ruza McIntyre
Caroline Olsen
Sarah Wiebe
Jenna Gallagher
Cecilia Chang
Sheilanne Lindsay
Violas
Rachel Reimer
Vanessa Hellinga
Rachael Gibson
Cellos
Amahl Arulanandam
Jennifer Moersch
Kirk Starkey
Bass
Nick Davis
Erin Macleod
Flute
Margaret Voorhaar
Amelia Lyon
Proud to support
the TD 30 Under 30
Program.
We’re working together
with Centre In The Square
to make a difference
in our community.
M04198 (0610)
ABOUT JEANS ‘N CLASSICS
Peter Brennan’s Jeans ‘n Classics is a winner! Since
its inception, it has been a star performer in the arts
and entertainment scene. Its concept of combining
rock musicians and headlining stars with worldclass symphony orchestras has drawn record setting
capacity crowds.
Jeans ‘n Classics appeals to an age group from 25
to 65, with a heavy concentration in the Classic
Rock audience. The patrons are symphony-goers,
enthusiastic sponsors and business professionals
who wish to entertain clients, investors and reward
employees.
Jeans ‘n Classics is a group of musicians who
understand orchestra culture and are committed to
help in the building of younger, loyal audiences for
symphony orchestras across Canada and the United
States.
Website: www.jeansnclassics.com
FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jeans-n-Classics/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/JeansnClassics
CENTRE IN THE SQUARE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chair.................................................................Bruce Gordon
Vice Chair....................................................Murray Gamble
Mayor...........................................................Berry Vrbanovic
Councillor.........................................................John Gazzola
Councillor........................................................... Scott Davey
Councillor.............................................................. Paul Singh
Board Member....................................................Hilary Abel
Board Member............................. Jennifer Appleby Vines
Board Member..........................................Sandy Delamere
Board Member...............................................Carol Leaman
Board Member........................................... Shawn Mathers
Board Member............................................ Marcus Shantz
ADMINISTRATION
For more than 30 years, Centre In The Square has
played a leading role in promoting the highest
quality of local and international music and
performing arts in southwestern Ontario. The
Centre is dedicated to promoting performing
arts that entertain, inspire, engage and create
memorable experiences for the region. The
venue’s main hall, a 2,047-seat state-of-the-art
theatre boasts superior acoustics and is widely
regarded as one of the finest performance space
in North America. A registered not-for-profit
charitable organization, The Centre is governed
by a 14-member board with a staff of 210 full-time
and part-time employees.
Visit centreinthesquare.com for more information.
Chief Executive Officer.............................. Sandra Bender
Finance, Administration and Box Office
Controller................................................................Deb Daub
Financial Accountant........................................Sylvia Cook
Administrative Assistant......................... Serena St. Louis
Director of Operations.................................Pamela Sauve
Patron Services Supervisor.......................Hildred Nelson
Ticketing Services Coordinator................... Margie Hogg
Ticketing Services Coordinator.................. Lisa Williams
Production, Technical Services and Maintenance
Director Of Building Operations/
Technical Services............................................ Rob Sonoda
Production & Rentals Coordinator...............Rachel Fallis
Programming Manager...........................Greg Henderson
Crew Chief/Properties Manager..............Adam Qualter
Head Sound Engineer.....................................Bob Luffman
Assistant Stage Electrician,
Projection & Video................................. Michael Maclean
Head Carpenter............................................ Jim Constable
Chief Maintenance Engineer..................... Jason Treusch
Maintenance Assistant...........................Mitch Nicholson
Operations Coordinator...............................Dwayne Price
Front Of House Supervisor............................ Kris Ozolins
Guest Services Manager.......................Dwayne Bryshun
Marketing and Sponsorship
Marketing Manager...................................Rachelle Garcia
Marketing &
Communications Coordinator...............Mariam Ahmad
Business Development Officer......................Peter Meier
Social Media & Publicity Assistant............Aleta Wilson
2014/15 SPONSORS
The Centre would like to thank the following organizations for their
generous support, which has a profound and lasting impact on the
quality of our program and facilities.
Season &
Ticket Back Sponsor.......Heffner Lexus/ Hefner Toyota
Supported By........................................... City Of Kitchener
Supported By.........................................Canadian Heritage
Community Ticket Program.......................... Tim Hortons
Community Ticket
Program Supporter..................................City Of Waterloo
Community Ticket
Program Supporter...............................City Of Cambridge
Electric ThursdaysTM Sponsor..........................KW Hydro
30 Under 30 Program Sponsor............TD Canada Trust
Family Programming Sponsor................Oxford Learning
OnStage Series Supporter................SOCAN Foundation
Communications Sponsor.................. Execulink Telecom
Digital Projection Sponsor..................................... Christie
Lobby Screens Donated By....... Gibson Sound & Vision
Information Technology
Sponsor..................The Waterloo Networking Company
Media Sponsor........................... Waterloo Region Record
Ticket Envelope Sponsor................. Ampersand Printing
Advertising Supporter................................. Three Kretans
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