From left to right - Peter Turner, Gerry Helke, John Burrett, Glenn Robb, Chuck Pierce and Josh Hopkins Biographical Sketches Peter Turner ~~~~~~~~~~~~ As a kid in Pembroke, Ontario, Peter Turner, a young trombonist, had an early interest in the Big Band era and other music of the first half of the 20th century. This was sparked through the influence of Linda Casselman who introduced him to school bands and Gordon Tapp, who founded the Pembroke Legion Dance Band in 1980. Since 1988, Peter has been known for his work with the well known Derek Robertson Jazz Band which has performed hundreds of engagements in its Ottawa home base and across Canada. He has also filled in with the Apex Jazz Band and with virtually every other dixieland and vintage jazz group in Eastern Ontario. Although Peter is most at home with small dixieland and swing combos, he indulges his appetite for variety through a long list of musical affiliations, ranging from brass ensembles to big bands, concert bands and chamber orchestras. His fearless approach to improvisation, prodigious memory and keen grasp of the jazz repertoir have enabled him to cultivate lifelong musical friendships throughout North America. Gerry Helke ~~~~~~~~~~~ Gerry Helke, a native of Pembroke, is known as one of Canada's premier musicians. Gerry is a distinctive improviser and a creative composer-arranger who has written for a great number of bands, singers, shows and recordings and has added many compositions to the jazz repertoir. His influences, some of the top jazz musicians he has performed with, include Jim Hall, Mel Torme, and Donald Byrd to name a few. Gerry is an Honours graduate of Oscar Peterson's Advanced School of Contemporary Music in Toronto where he studied bass with Ray Brown. He also studied and majored in composition and arranging with Manny Albam at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. A successful career in the music business has taken Gerry from the RCAF Band to the Edmonton Symphony, to dance bands, shows and jazz clubs in Toronto, to the jingle and recording scene in Montreal and to numerous radio and television shows along the way. Gerry is now back in Ottawa doing what he likes best - playing and writing for a small jazz ensemble. Chuck Pierce ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chuck Pierce is the longest-serving sideman in Peter Turner's band. He became the group's bassist in January 1993. Chuck was extremely active on Hamilton's country music scene throughout the 1960s and 1970s, performing with luminaries such as Dallas Harms and Bobby Wingrove. Chuck entered the Ottawa valley's music community through John Steele and John's playing in Rural Route, a Renfrew based country band. John's unusual combination of musical gifts and interests makes him a link between interpreters of many different genres. That's how Chuck first hooked up with Peter Turner and fulfilled his lifelong desire to play jazz. Josh Hopkins ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Literally immersed in the Pembroke area's flourishing performing arts scene, Josh Hopkins, besides distinguishing himself as a bass soloist, plays regularly as an instrumentalist on clarinet or keyboard with various area bands in Petawawa and Pembroke. More recently Josh has been singing with Ottawa Regional Youth Choir and has added a number of broadcasting and recording projects to his credit. These include appearances on Wayne Rostad's CBC TV Christmas special, Christmas in the Valley and Gail Gavin's CD, What a Miracle. Glenn Robb ~~~~~~~~~~ Glen Robb's career as a professional drummer and percussionist began in 1951 with the Fred Davis Orchestra. Over the decades, he has played numerous radio shows with the orchestras of Ron Milne, Ken Campbell and Gerry Helke. He has also recorded film and background soundtracks for many productions. Glenn belonged to the Champ Champagne Orchestra for over 25 years. His flawless sense of time has earned him the nickname, Mr. Metronome. As one of Ottawa's most reliable and experienced sidemen, he has backed such stars as Mel Torme, Kenny Davern, Benny Goodman, Cab Caloway, Johnny Mathis, Dizzy Gilespie, Bud Shank and many others. With Gerry Helke, Glenn is a regular member of the Art Lawless Trio which works both independently and as a rhythm section for performances and CDs by the well-known singer, Dick Maloney. Glenn's most recent commitment is The Magnolia Rhythm Kings, a traditional classic jazz band under the leadership of multi- instrumentalist and singer, Bob Misener. John Burrett ~~~~~~~~~~~~ John Burrett is the newest member of the group. In recording sessions and in performances his guitar playing has been a crucial part of Gerry Helke's bossa nova arrangements and compositions. Followers of the early 1980s rock scene in John's home town of Peterborough, Ontario, may recall hearing him perform with the group, Brandy. Since settling in Ottawa in the late 1980s, John has become a fixture on the local jazz circuit, specializing in duo and trio formats, most frequently with the outstanding saxophonist, Dave Ward. Besides his regular performances, John has been studying music theory to pursue his interest in composition.