Today’s Performers

SPRAOÍ DIANE FLACKS Spraoí (pronounced Spree and Diane Flacks is an actor, writer, meaning the same thing) are To- mom, author (of Bear With Me), ronto’s premiere Traditional Celt- former Globe and Mail colum- ic ensemble. Based around the nist, and a multi-tasker. She has playing of New Zealander Pat a long list of accomplishments, Simmonds and Canadian piper which she either left in the car, Kelly Hood has evolved or accidentally put in recycling. over the years to include several She is thrilled to be sharing the other musicians and collabora- stage with such incredible talent tors from several different traditions including Cape Breton, for a great cause. Ireland and Scotland. www.spraoi.ca www.dianeflacks.com

ROB CRABTREE MICHAEL BRENNAN Rob began bagpiping at the age Cape Breton, Nova Scotia born of 10 and was the 1986 North and raised, Michael Brennan is American Amateur Champion. A considered the voice of REAL regular prizewinner at the world’s in . Possess- foremost competitions, he cap- ing a deep, rich voice that’s been tured the North American Profes- compared to sional Championship in 1997 and and Roy Orbison, Brennan writes the Gold Medal at Braemar, Scot- honest, straight-up working man land in 1998. His 1999 album, “The songs full of characters who’ve Piper’s Legacy”, was nominated for a . He is co- loved and lost more often than founder of one of the top bagpipe summer schools in North they’ve won. America, plays Scottish smallpipes and tinwhistle and is also www.michaelbrennan.ca a fiction writer. His site can be found at http://www.robcrabtree.com

GREG LAWLESS HOWARD WILLETT CBC Radio’s Shelagh Rogers de- Vocalist and harmonica player scribes Lawless as “...the best with the Bebop Cowboys Swing- singer/songwriter you’ve ‘never’ a-billy Orchestra, Howard has heard!” Over the years, Gregg has spent most of his musical career built a remarkable underground playing country music. He has following and is described “as the toured a number of poster boy for the independent times with R.W. Pawley and later musician,” garnering rave reviews the Good Old Boys. Arriving in To- and impressing fans and critics ronto in 1990, Howard fronted his alike in headline shows at major venues all across Canada. own band, The Shifters. He has appeared on CBC Radio Gregg has been involved with Riverdale Share since 1998. and Television and has guested with Jack deKeyser, Down- www.gregglawless.com child Band, songwriter Danny Brooks and the bluegrass band Whiskey Jack.

 Riverdale Share Concert 2007 DEWSHANE WILLIAMS FLYNN TANNER Driven to rise above Kingston Jamaica’s notorious ghet- Flynn started playing at 7, after tos, Dewshane strives to push his Santa set him up with an electric own limits and channel his emo- and amp for Christmas. tions through entertainment. He Together with school buddies made his first stage debut before Reed Hollett (drums), Dexter Horn- a rocking crowd of 1,000 at the sby (keyboards) and Jack White age of three. Now 17, he is the (bass), Flynn formed the Burning founder of the positive urban mu- Boyz early in ’07. They debuted at sic team “Revelation Army” and the Withrow Fun Fair in the spring, the co-founder of “The Projek and followed up with a gig at last summer’s North by North- Raw Dance Team.” Dewshane’s east Music Festival. Flynn loves listening to and playing Jimi lifelong dream is to establish him- Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, and personal fave AC/DC. There’s no self as the strongest individual he can be within the enter- band web site yet, but check out the boyz killing Zeppelin tainment world, and so his journey continues. on Youtube—search “the burning boyz.”

TARA MACLEAN JACK ROCHON Three years ago Tara, a single Jack began playing guitar at the mother and musician, hooked up age of 6 years when he began with a really great guy who came taking lessons with Steve Briggs. with a house in Riverdale. Little Starting out on a classical guitar, did she know that she was step- his interest soon veered towards ping into this amazing community an electric guitar and timeless of parents, artists, and interesting hits of The Who, Zeppelin, and people. Tara is excited about par- . Now at 11, he is an ticipating in Riverdale Share, not avid composer in his own right. only because it is a chance to be a part of something great Jack enjoys performing at summer festivals, open mics, for the community, but also to meet other parents she can and parties and is really pumped to be returning to River- pawn her kids off on in the guise of a ‘play date’. Her third dale Share for a second time. child and third solo cd will both be released this spring! KRISTIN BRIGGS BAD DOG THEATRE COMPANY In addition to her singing contribu- A Riverdale fixture since 2003, The Bad Dog Theatre Compa- tions to a number of local bands ny proudly brings funny business in Toronto, Kristin is a graphic de- to the Danforth. 2008 will mark our signer, producing CD artwork 5th year as Bad Dog, as well as the and promotional material for 25th year of Theatresports Toronto such artists as Prairie Oyster and - our flagship show returns in Feb- the Bebop Cowboys (she is also ruary. Hailed by NOW Magazine manager for the Bebops), as well as the BEST OF TORONTO for two as many books published by EGS years running, we’re the improv Press, for whom she has been resident graphic designer for hub of the city... and we’re right almost ten years. Her best productions by far are her two on your doorstep! Come laugh fabulous children, Cameron and Duncan. with us! Currently, we’re ringing in the holidays with our annual A Twisted Christmas Carol. JORY NASH Check our website for show times and details on our improv Jory Nash is a Toronto-based in- classes and workshops! www.baddogtheatre.com dependent singer songwriter who blends elements of folk, jazz, blues, soul & pop into an original stew of sound. He has recorded and re- leased 5 CDs and regularly tours all across North America, playing music festivals, house concerts, soft seat theatres and folk clubs. Jory Nash has a hat collection that numbers in the hundreds and is a long suffering fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs. His website is www.jorynash.com

Riverdale Share Concert 2007  THERESA TOVA Theresa Tova is a singer, writer, and As co-founder and lead singer of Gemini-nominated actor (for her The Parachute Club, Canada’s continuing role on the TV series most internationally renowned ENG). She wrote, produced, and worldbeat band, Lorraine Segato starred in “Still the Night,” which has enjoyed a run in the music won four Doras including Best industry that few can match. Af- New Musical and Best Production. ter The Parachute Club won five After performing at Stratford and Juno’s, five Casby’s, two Platinum in the National Broadway tour of and one Gold record, Lorraine “Ragtime,” Ms. Tova has focussed went on to release two critically her energies on her native tongue, Yiddish, producing three praised solo recordings and produced several notable mu- critically acclaimed CDs. She sings modern interpretations sic scores. Most recently, she spent two years directing, writ- of old world classics, Yiddish theatre music, and jazz at mu- ing, narrating, and music-editing a documentary film called sic festivals, concert halls, and nightclubs throughout North “Queen Street West, The Rebel Zone” with the Award-winning America and Europe. Ms. Tova is happy to be home and Rhombus Media International. Segato’s work, regardless of lending her voice to Riverdale Share. the medium, remains consistently topical and relevant. www.theresatova.com

FOR THE LOVE OF IT PERFORMING NORTHERN LEGS SOUTHERN FISTS Toronto’s premier lion dance team is a group of multicultural ARTS CENTRE people committed to preserv- For the past 9 years, the cen- ing and promoting the Asian art tre has offered a wide range of of lion dancing and drumming. dance instruction—from toddlers Members of NLSF are also practi- to adults—in a fun, positive and tioners of traditional Chinese Kung nuturing environment. Its fac- Fu and pride themselves on edu- ulty have extensive professional cating people about the beauty dance experience and provide of Asian culture. The group’s most a supportive atmosphere where recent project was the Chinese students can experience the love Lantern Festival hosted by Ontar- of dance and self-expression. io Place, in which NLSF made over (416) 691-0253 50 performances. The group is led by general manager and www.fortheloveofit.net coach Sifu Ian Chow.

FRANKLAND SCHOOL CHOIR RUSSELL DECARLE The Frankland School Choir consists of students from grades As lead vocalist, bassist and con- three to six who love to sing. The choir performs at school tributing songwriter for the multi- concerts and assemblies, along with community events, and Juno-Award winning, platinum- has even performed with the at Massey selling group Prairie Oyster, Russell Hall. The choir is conducted by Tom Roedding and is ac- has toured the world entertaining companied by Patrick Hornsby on piano. young and old for over three de- cades. He is currently developing material for a solo project. www.prairieoyster.com

 Riverdale Share Concert 2007 STEVEN PAGE SANTA CLAUS Steven Page is best known as This jolly old elf hardly needs an in- one of the lead singers of the troduction. Santa has been grac- multi-platinum, multi-award-win- ing the Riverdale stage since the ning supergroup, the Barenaked very beginning and claims that Ladies. Mixing socially conscious it’s a high point in his social calen- observations with crafty lyrics, dar every year. He loves watching BNL have toured the world and all the talented performers and have racked up memorable hits meeting all the busy volunteers. like “,” “If I Had A Million He says he is very proud of the Dollars,” “Brian Wilson,” among Riverdale Community and the way they all come together many others. Steve has also re- to celebrate the season and help those who need it in their leased a solo album through his side project; “The Vanity own neighbourhood. He wants to wish all of you here today Project” a very merry and safe holiday season. Ho, Ho, Ho!!! WENDELL FERGUSON Wendell Ferguson is a buffoon, a MURRAY MCLAUCHLAN fool, a charlatan and a general Murray McLauchlan began writing songs and performing nuisance, but he can play the them in his late teens and after guitar (a bit). He’s garnered nine engagements at music festivals Canadian Country Music Awards, and clubs such as Toronto’s River- an OCPFA Lifetime Musician boat, began to attract wider at- Award and was twice nominated tention. Before he ever recorded for a JUNO. Despite all this, he still an album of his own his Child’s remains the same unapproach- Song was already well known af- able snob he’s always been. He’s ter being recorded by American just released a new CD entitled folk star Tom Rush. Now, twenty “Wendell Live! “The $#!T Hits the Fans”. He’s proud to be ap- years later, Murray has eighteen pearing once more at Riverdale Share. Visit his site for sore albums of songs to his credit on ears at: www.wendellferguson.com both True North and Capitol Records and has won eleven JUNO awards as well as RPM Big Country and Toronto Music N’JACKO BACKO awards. In 1993, McLauchlan received The Order Of Cana- Cameroon’s N’Jacko Backo is a da. national treasure. Now living in To- ronto, N’Jacko is the King of Ka- limba and integrates the African instrument into the enchanting rhythms of Kalimba Kalimba. Their JIAN GHOMESHI latest record “The Conscience Jian Ghomeshi is a broadcaster, of Africa” is a glorious ode to the writer and musical artist born in continent, its people and its be- London, England and raised in ing. N’Jacko will be performing today with his wife Valerie Toronto. He is a familiar face on Woloshyn. www.njackobacko.com CBC Television and is currently best known as the host of the daily national cultural affairs pro- Cindy spent her formative years gram, Q on CBC Radio One. He out west, touring with . has appeared as a regular on That friendship led to the forma- various programs including The tion of Quartette with , Hour, Sounds Like Canada, and Caitlin Hanford, the late Colleen The National. He spent three years as the host of the Gemini- Peterson and later Gwen Swick. award winning TV program, Play, and has interviewed sub- Current projects include “The jects ranging from Woody Allen to Johnny Rotten to Jane Nearness of You - A Tribute to the Fonda and Steve Nash. He has written for numerous pub- Music of Hoagy Carmichael” and lications including the Sunday Washington Post and The “Lunch a t Allen’s”, a collaboration with Murray McLauch- Globe and Mail. Jian first came to public attention as a lan, Ian Thomas and . Cindy has been nominat- singer and songwriter in the multi-platinum selling folk rock ed for several Juno and Canadian Country Music Awards. group, Moxy Früvous. www.cindychurch.com

Riverdale Share Concert 2007  Riverdale Share Band TOM LEIGHTON Musical Director BURKE CARROLL (pedal steel, dobro) (piano and accordion) Yukon native and Bebop Cowboy Tom Leighton is well known for Burke Carroll is an in-demand mu- his energetic performances and sician who has toured the globe his ability to play several instru- extensively, backing artists such ments at the same time. As half of as George Fox, the Good Broth- Haines & Leighton, he has three ers, Shania Twain, Justin Rutledge, CD’s with Borealis Records, includ- Scotty Campbell and the Wilkin- ing the award-winning “Hand To sons. Burke is also a talented ar- Hand”. Tom teaches part of each ranger and producer. year at Wexford C.I. School for the Arts, performs regularly with Con- rad Kipping and Anne Lederman and is proud to be part of (bass) the RSC team as musical director and orchestrator. www. RUSS BOSWELL Russ has to be one of the busiest haines-leighton.com bass players in town. He’s recently toured with Ian & Dave Thom- Band Leader (guitar) STEVE BRIGGS as, DK Ibomeka, David Wilcox A native of Powell River B.C., Steve has been a busy band and Colm Wilkinson. He has also leader, freelance guitarist and toured with Corey Hart, The Para- arranger in Toronto. He has per- chute Club, Seals and Crofts, Holy formed, arranged and recorded Cole, Dianne Tell and Mary Mar- with a wealth of wonderful artists garet O’Hara. Recording credits including Sylvia Tyson and Quar- include , Corey Hart, Charlie Majors, David tette, Russell de Carle and Carroll Wilcox, Julie Crochetiere, Jullian Austin, John Landry, Sean Baker. His popular western swing Hogan, and Beverly Mahood to name a few. Russ is actively orchestra, the Bebop Cowboys, involved with ‘Folkalarm’ featuring Kevin Breit and Jorn An- have garnered many glowing re- dersen and has been a long-time fixture at Riverdale Share. views and accolades across the country. As a guitar/mandolin in- (drums) structor, he runs the Kitchen Music BRUCE MOFFETT Bruce has been a part of the River- Instructional Studio in Riverdale dale Community Concert for all 15 with his wife Kristin. He has been years. He formerly played with Prai- featured twice as “Best Guitar Instructor” in Toronto Life rie Oyster, Sass Jordan, Corey Hart Magazine and has released two instructional CDs. and Red Ryder, among others. He owns PRB Pro Rehearsal & Back- - Swing-a-billy Orchestra BEBOP COWBOYS line, supplier of equipped rehearsal Known as Canada’s premier western swingers, the Bebops rooms to bands and shows. Bruce have toured across the country bringing the joy of country recently moved into recording with swing to the people. With their third CD, “Canadian Dance the opening of his studio, The Drum Room, which special- Hall”, featuring guests such as Sarah Harmer, Russell de Carle izes in recording drums, and his mobile recording truck, “The and Alex Pangman, they have gathered enthusiastic recog- Roving Recorder,” which records performances and events nition for their fun, danceable music, including a Canadian of all kinds. www.torontobackline.com Award nomination for Best Ensemble, and were named Best Roots/Country Act by NOW magazine. PATRICK HORNSBY (piano) www.bebopcowboys.com Patrick lives in Riverdale with his wife Karen and son Dexter. He works for the TDSB as a Grade One teacher and teaches private piano lessons at his home. He has performed at the Montreal, Ottawa and Halifax jazz festivals and has recorded for CBC Maritimes.

10 Riverdale Share Concert 2007 DANNY GREENSPOON (guitar) MEI KELLY (trombone) Danny Greenspoon is a multi-plat- Meirion (Mei) likes sharp suits and inum, award winning record pro- plays a sweet trombone. He is a ducer, recording engineer and permanent member of the Na- guitar player. As a record pro- tional Jazz Award-Winning en- ducer, he has produced over fifty semble Kollage and has recorded albums, including , with the band on their most re- Ian Tyson, Colm Wilkinson, Sophie cent session; At This Time. Mei ap- Milman, Jane Bunnett and Spirit pears regularly on CTV performing Of The West. The albums have arts broadcasts such as Canadian garnered 4 JUNO Award wins out Idol and Canada’s Walk of Fame and has performed with of sixteen JUNO nominations and international artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Robert Goulet, seven ECMA’s. As a guitarist he Paul Schaffer, Dan Akroyd, Doug Riley, Dr. Lonnie Smith and has performed with some of the biggest names in the coun- Joey DeFrancesco. He can be found in the St. Clair/Christie try, including long stints with Murray McLauchlan, Kate and area walking his dog, or conducting the Jr. Band at Dr. J.M. Anna McGarrigle, Sylvia Tyson and The Great Speckled Bird, Denison Secondary School. and The Romaniacs. Riverdale Share Horns Riverdale Share Strings MIKE MURLEY (saxophone) ANNE LEDERMAN (fiddle) An engaging, lyrical saxophon- Fiddler/singer/composer/multi- ist, Murley has emerged as one instrumentalist Anne Lederman is of the nation’s finest jazz talents. known for her fiddle work with such Active as a leader in various for- pioneering groups as Muddy York mations from duo to septet, Mur- The Flying Bulgar Klezmer Band, ley maintains a busy schedule as Njacko Backo and Kalimba Kalim- a sideman with the David Braid ba and LOKA as well as her own Sextet, the Rob McConnell Tentet group Fiddlesong and as backup and the David Occhipinti Quar- for many Canadian artists. Anne tet, among others. Murley has has composed for the Roseneath played on nine Juno Award win- Theatre, The Blyth Festival, Cana- ning recordings and has been named saxophonist of the dian Children’s Dance Theatre, the National Storytelling The- year eight times by the Jazz Report Awards and National atre and Veronica Tennant Productions, and is delighted to Jazz Awards. His latest recording, “The Melody Lingers On”, be part of the Riverdale Share Band. finds him live in concert at the Glenn Gould Studio with a twelve-piece string ensemble. JOHN SHOWMAN (violin) JOHN MACLEOD (trumpet) John Showman studied at Indiana Trumpet and flugelhorn play- University and in Ottawa with Vic- er, John played on 6 Juno tor Pomer before moving to Mon- winners and 2 Grammy win- treal to begin his professional ca- ning CD’s and is an active reer. With the band ‘Nobody You Jazz and commercial free- Know’, he recorded four albums lance trumpeter. John was and spent 5 years touring Cana- a featured soloist with the da and the United States before world-renowned Rob McCo- relocation to Toronto. John‘s me- nnell & the Boss Brass for over lodic phrasing and original lines 15 years and has played back up to the likes of Ray Charles, can also be heard with the East- Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, Aretha Franklin and Linda Ron- coast/Celtic group ‘Skraeling’, the bluegrass group The Fog- stadt. John’s also a professional arranger/composer who gy Hogtown Boys and with the creaking tree string quartet. leads his own big band - The Rex Hotel Orchestra and is cur- rently teaching advanced arranging at Humber College.

Riverdale Share Concert 2007 11 Riverdale Share Artistic Team SUSAN BAKER RANDI FRATKIN PRODUCER AND CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Susan has been a Riverdale resi- Proud to be part of Riverdale dent for the past 20 years. She Share, Randi is the artistic direc- dedicates every fall to wrangling tor of Kingfest, and was the artis- the Riverdale Share volunteers tic director of the Mariposa Folk but the rest of the year you’ll find Festival from 2000-2006 and of her sailing her boat off the Leslie Winterfolk for 2006 and 2007. She Spit; planning other community has participated in numerous na- events; cursing at her computer; tional music juries, and has been walking her dog Jack; home ex- on the Board of Directors of the changing around the globe with North American Folk Alliance and one of her kids or selling Riverdale the Council of Folk Festi- Real Estate. Riverdale Share is in vals. Randi is a pediatric dentist at her blood. the Hospital For Sick Children and maintains a private prac- tice in Toronto.

STEVE BRIGGS TOM LEIGHTON BAND LEADER AND CO-MUSICAL DIRECTOR MUSICAL DIRECTOR AND ORCHESTRATOR Steve has played in the Riverdale Share Band for many years Tom has been the musical director for Riverdale Share since and joined the artistic team in 2004. He is an accomplished 2004. He brings his boundless energy, creativity and huge freelance guitar player; leader of the popular western swing musical talent to the team. He prides himself in his ability to band, the BeBop Cowboys; and the best guitar/mandolin keep all the members of the Riverdale Share band play- instructor in Toronto (according to Toronto Life Magaizine). ing from start to finish. His wonderful orchestrations give the He lives on Withrow with his wife Kristin and his kids Cameron show its spit and polish. Tom lives in Riverdale with his lovely and Duncan. wife Sandra and is an avid windsurfer. 1=00 A8EL8IP(/ ;L;HOJ>?D=JEHEDJE$;L;HOM;;A$ /.,).% ßWWWNOWTORONTOCOMß $ )+#)''.›@JJL<(*'+MFC%)-  E F %)' ?8GGP ?FC@;8PJ =IFDPFLI =I@

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