2016 was another good year for the band.
Unlike most years, the band didn’t get out
of Ontario until the end of the year when
they traveled north to one of their favourite
spots in Northern Michigan for a New
Year’s Eve show. But there were plenty of
local and day-trip shows all over Ontario in theatres, festivals,
concerts and private events. The highlight of the year had to be
Canada Day when the band took their Chicago Transit show to
Niagara Falls in the early afternoon, then performed that, plus their
POWERHOUSE show in Peterborough, the same evening.
There were two major changes in band personnel this year, both
coming during the summer months. George Behr (pictured, above
right) stepped in on trombone to replace the departing Dan Elliot.
George has filled in with the band in the past and his addition
brought in a wealth of jazz and big band experience to the horn
section. The second change was on keyboard. Following a two-year break to complete and record his own CD, Tony
Aquino (pictured, to the left) returned to the band full-time. We were well aware of Tony’s abilities, both as a vocalist and
on the piano. Both members made seamless transitions back into the band.
The first stop this year was at the beautiful Lighthouse Festival Theatre in Port Dover,
Ontario. The band took their POWERHOUSE and Chicago Transit shows on a brutal
cold mid-winter evening to a packed theatre and a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
As is usually the case, pictures
are difficult to take during
theatre performances, but here
are a few from the theatre
balcony.
To the left, back row (left to
right) is Don on keyboard, John
on drums, Pete playing the
bass and Suzanne O on
keyboard. In the front row (left
to right) we have Dan on
trombone, Nick on saxophone,
Carlo on trumpet, Paula on
vocals and Steve on guitar.
It was a great way to
start the year. The
audience was very
receptive and the
house sound system
and crew were
excellent.
The next stop was a late spring hometown date at
the McIntyre Performing Arts Centre in Mohawk
College. The band took all three of their shows --
the POWERHOUSE Show, the Chicago Transit
tribute act and Doug Varty’s tribute to Rod Stewart
to this venue. Although we were unable to take
pictures of this show, by clicking on the photo to the
right, we have a video of home town guitar wizard, Jerry Doucette, and his appearance with the band during the POWERHOUSE Show. Jerry, who now lives
in British Columbia, would return to Hamilton in the fall and perform a number of his own concerts with the POWERHOUSE rhythm section as his band.
The next stop was a date at the Club Italia in Niagara Falls with all three of the
band’s shows. After opening with the POWERHOUSE show and Paula
Tessaro’s (pictured above) ‘Tribute to the Divas’, it was followed up with the
very-polished Chicago Transit tribute. Finally, we called Doug Varty (pictured
below) to the stage to perform his excellent Rod Stewart show.
It was a hot late spring evening and
Club Italia was packed. We left
Niagara Falls that night after a very
enjoyable night of music.
Next up for the
band was a return
to the ‘Beginning
of Summer’ bash
on Hamilton
Mountain. This
was a huge party
that seemed to
include the entire
east mountain.
This year’s ‘theme’
was the early
Roman Era --
complete with a town crier, dancing girls and a full Roman ‘utensils optional’ feast. When we arrived
in the late afternoon, the party was already well-underway. After we set up, we did a quick ‘line
check’ then sat down to the feast. Then it was time for our POWERHOUSE show.
Above left: Don, on acoustic guitar, joining Carlo with the
band’s new opening to ‘Hotel California’
Above right: Steve letting it loose in Gary Moore’s ‘Still
Got the Blues for You’
The band played and partied well into the ‘longer-than-expected’ evening.
When we headed out on Canada Day, it looked like it was going to be a full
‘rain-out’ for the day. But by the time we arrived in Niagara Falls shortly before
noon, the skies had cleared, the parade was well underway and it was time to
set up our gear for our Chicago Transit show in front of City Hall.
The crowd was good for early afternoon and grew considerably
as we performed our show. As soon as we were done, it was a
quick tear down, load up the vehicles and get on the road for our
evening shows in Peterborough.
It’s always a pleasure playing in
Del Crary Park in Peterborough
and this year’s Canada Day
celebration was no exception.
We arrived at the park around
the supper hour, which gave us
just enough time to set up the
gear, do our soundchecks and
have a bit of time to relax before
our evening shows.
As always, the crowd in Del Crary Park that evening was excellent.
Above row (left to right): Nick, Steve,
Pete, Paula and Dan
To the left (left to right): The back row -- Don John, Pete and Vince
Above: Carlo, Nick and John behind the kit
Although it got quite
cool later in the
evening, it did nothing
to thin the rather large
crowd. The band
played well into the
Peterborough late
evening and once
again, it was another
very enjoyable trip to
Del Crary Park and an
excellent end to the
band’s Canada Day
celebrations.
Next stop for the band was a
very crowded Port Dover beach
front on a hot mid-July evening.
Joining us for this show was ex-
band alumnus, Mark LaForme
(picture below right, far right).
It’s always a pleasure to play
with Mark. And from all
appearances, the crowd really
enjoyed our show. The Fish
Fest was just reappearing after
many years away and we were
very happy to be part of their
first year back.
It was a hot night in Port Dover and the band was rockin’.
By the time we got into August, the
band was at the Toronto waterfront
at the Aquatic Park Sailing Club
for their mid-summer bash. It was
a beautiful summer evening for a
party, a feast and tunes from our
POWERHOUSE show. Of note at
this show is that it was the first
show for our new trombonist,
George Behr. And he nailed it.
And also, Tony Aquino returned to
the band full-time after a two-year
absence. Tony always nails it.
Yes ... we managed to fit our nine-piece band under the awning and had a great time putting on our
show. It was our second year playing at the APSC and we hope to return again next year.
Once we got past Labour Day
weekend, the band took their Chicago
Transit and POWERHOUSE shows to
the beautiful Black Forest Inn in
Connestoga. A few weeks later, we
headed to the Brantford Jazz Festival.
Unfortunately, this year, Saturday was a
complete rain out at the Festival. We
do hope to return next year.
The POWERHOUSE band was honoured to
participate in the Benefit for Hamilton’s music
tradition, Jack Pedlar. The horn section played on
one of Jack’s CD’s and our band members have
shared the stage with Jack on many occasions
over our combined music
histories.
Bill Dillon
Amy DiNino from ‘Cootes Paradise’
Rick McLean from ‘Painted Black’
Above (left to right): Paul Wheeler, Sue Leonard and Lori Yates
Darcy Hepner and Hailee Rose
Chris Houston
‘The Shakers’ (from left to right): Tim Gibbons, Dave
(Rave) Desroches, Claude Desroches, Rick Andrew
JACK
POWERHOUSE took
the stage late in the
evening and did their
short set. It was a
fantastic night of
music and a great
chance to show
Jack how much he
meant to the
Hamilton music
community.
The band would
close the year out with a redate at Port Dover’s Lighthouse
Festival Theatre – to, once again, a packed and thoroughly
appreciative house – and then a trip north on New Year’s
Eve to one of the band’s favourite stateside destinations --
The Bay Mills Casino in Brimley, Michigan.
We were unable to take
pictures at this show, but
two of our good friends,
Suzanne O and Mike
Cameron graciously shared
their camera talents with
us. All photos in this
section are by Suzanne O
except where copyright-
marked by Mike.
