Members of the collective fringe
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Eric Mahar:,
guitar, vocals, harmonica. Born in Stratford,
Ontario, and now settled in Bolton, Ontario, Eric is a studied musician and teacher with honours degrees in music and
broadcasting from Humber College. He has also studied under acclaimed jazz guitarists
Lenny Breau, Ralph Towner, and John Abercrombie. He has been in demand over his long
career for his many talents as a guitarist, singer and producer and is known as the
"musician's musician". Eric has recorded, produced and performed with a multitude of
national artists in concert and on T.V. across North America and Europe including: The
Mercy Brothers, The Bending the Bows Show, Marie Bottrel, Frank Leahy, Michael Burgess, The
Waterloo Symphony, Mac Wiseman, and "new country" sensations Wayward.
In the summer of 2000 he was a cast/band member of the theatrical show "Don Messer's Violin"
which played in Prince Edward Island to sold out crowds. In 2004 was a band member with the SHAW FESTIVAL. Eric has
worked with Steve in several bands since the early 90's.
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Ed Kopala: Guitar. Steve met Ed in the mid 90's while playing with David Norris in the Gayle Ackroyd
Band. Originally from B.C., Ed is a talented guitarist who's worked with many fine artists including Danny B. and
Blue Willow to name a few.
It is always an extra special treat when Ed is on the bandstand. Ed is also a car enthusiast. Ed's slide guitar expertise
is apparent on both of the latest Fringe Local's CD's
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Steve Grisbrook:,
guitar, vocals,
Besides working with Steve quite a bit over the last few years, Mr. Grisbrook's had the honour of sharing the stage with, just to name a few, Jeff Healey, Tony Springer, Bernie LaBarge, Joe Hunter (Funk Brothers), Chicago Pete, Jack DeKeyser, The Downchild Blues Band, John Mays.
In addition to 3 regular weekly house gigs, and touring, he's had the opportunity to play some the best Blues Clubs and Festivals in North America.
Including: Chicago Blues Festival, Detroit Ribs and Soul Festival, The Southside Shuffle, The Canal Banks Shuffle, Mt Tremblant Blues Festival, Blues at Blue, DuMaurier Jazz Festival, Albert's Hall, Blues ETC., Buddy Guy's Legend's, Pop the Gator, The Silver Dollar. |
David Norris: Drums Holding it all together, Dave is solid as a rock. Having worked
quite steadily with Steve since 1990 backing up artists such as
Gayle Ackroyd,
this is probably the most solid rhythm section in the Toronto/Niagara area. Originally from London, Ontario,
Dave is known for his work with many popular bands.
Most recently with Bill Colgate, Beshara, The Andi Duncan Band, The
Satellites, Drastic Measures, The Pukka Orchestra, Joel Feeney and Kenny King. His
appreciation and love of roots music and his varied background gives him the patience and
experience to lay down just the right groove. Dave loves fast cars and is not available for
gigs during the Indy weekend.
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Penner MacKay (aka Matinee Slim), Percussion and Drums.
A resident of Niagara-On-The-Lake, Penner spent many years on the Toronto scene touring with acts such
as Dan Hill, Miles & Lenny, to name a few. With over 30 years experience, Penner is an extraordinary drummer
and percussionist. Always displaying a boundless amount of energy and
joy, he is a delight to watch on stage. He is also the leader of NOTL's own legendary Drummin'
Fools, an all drum orchestra showcasing Penner's unique
"Barrelhouse Drums".
Lately, as well as working with Steve, Penner is busy performing in the Niagara Region and Toronto with many bands including Mark Lalama,
Accordion Crimes, Eric Soustar and Matinee Slim and the Ultralite Orchestra to name a few, as well as conducting drum seminars and workshops at schools and corporate events across North
America. Penner is a sports fanatic and is the proud father of two talented musician sons, also drummers.
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Denis Keldie: Keyboards, Accordion & Vocals.
...as a studio musician, playing piano, organ, accordion, mandolin and guitar, he has over 200 CDs (and vinyl albums) to his credit, with artists such as Natalie McMaster, Jeff Healey, Prairie Oyster, Rita Coolidge w/Ry Cooder, The Boomers, Jesse Cook, Alfie Zappacosta, Lost&Profound, Stompin� Tom, Henry Gross, Quartette, The Extras, Etta James, and has performed on television and live appearances with The Rankins, Colin James, Jann Arden, Amy Sky, Ashley McIsaac, Bruce Guthro, Gordie Sampson and many others.
Active...
... in a wide range of music over the years, from R&B to Jazz, Pop, Country and everything else in between, both in Toronto and abroad.
As founder of A&M recording act �The Extras�, he co-wrote four critically acclaimed pop albums from 1980 to 1985 and toured extensively during that time, producing several innovative videos, including Canada�s first animated video of �I Can�t Stand Still�.
The Year 2000...
...saw the release of the much-acclaimed �2B3 - The Toronto Sessions� CD, a collection of Hammond organ duets with Denis Keldie, Doug Riley, Mike Fonfara, Rob Gusevs, Bill Payne and Richie Hayward from Little Feat.
Also that year, he toured with �Allen, Glass, DeCarle and Keldie� an acoustic roots-country quartet with members of Prairie Oyster.
2001 saw the release of a jazz organ CD of �The Denis Keldie Trio�, with Paul DeLong and Bill Murray. Recent film and TV composing credits include �In His Father�s Shoes�, �Crossed Over�, starring Diane Keaton.
The year 2002 saw the release of �Rainy Day Sunshine�, a fundraising CD Denis produced for the Look Good-Feel Better Foundation, who help women deal with the appearance-related side effects of chemotherapy.
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Mark Lalama: Keyboards, Accordion & Vocals.
A great performer in his own right, Mark has contributed to the Gumbo Dreams and Clueless CD�s.
He�s known for his work as musical director on Canadian Idol and with Amy Sky & Mark Jordan, George Fox, Jamie Oaks, Farmer�s Daughter,
the Mantini Sisters, Matinee Slim, Canadian Idol and his latest original project, Accordion Crimes.
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Herb Nelson: Keyboards.
Herb's the original keyboard player for the Fringe Locals and still appears with us from time to time. A wonderful keyboard player and a great freind, Herb's also an amazing sculptor and automotive specialist.
He was a member of the Shaw Festival comapny for many years building the automated sets used in the theatre's productions. He's the co-founder of our Saturday night band, the Niagara Rhythm Section and was also
the original keyboard player for Matinee Slim and the Ultralight Orchestra
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Joe Ingrao: Keyboards.
Joe was a beloved member of the band until his untimely death March 2005. He is featured heavily on the band�s Clueless album,
his very last recording. Joe was a legend on the Canadian music scene. A monster piano & organ player he appeared as a solo
artist and he toured and recorded with many national acts including Long John Baldry, The Lincolns, Liberty Silver
and George Oliver as well as with local Niagara favourites Jambone, Matinee Slim & the Ultralight Orchestra and The Ants.
When Joe was on the gig, the band rose to new highs each and every night. We miss him dearly.
For more on Joe...
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Conrad Kipping: Fiddle/Mandolin/Guitar/Vocals. Conrad & Steve go way back to the late 70's and have played in
numerous bands together over the years and his talents are featured on the latest Fringe Local's CD's. In 1987, Steve and Conrad Kipping were asked to play as a duo at a cosy English Pub in Uxbridge for one weekend.
It turned out that they went over so well they wound-up being the house band (The Casuals) for over three years. They've also backed up many artists and have appeared
across the country at numerous venues including the Winnipeg Folk Festival in 1985. Conrad is a multi-talented
and excels on a variety of instruments. A great singer/songwriter and entertainer, he is constanly working with
numerous acts, including Stompin' Tom, October Brown, Mark Haines,
Maureen Brown, Mary DeKyser & Melody Ranch, and most recently as a duo with Tom Layton.
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Steve's Bio
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