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WHO’S WHO JEFF CHRISTMAS (Conductor) Jeff is character witnesses: they will say, “It doesn’t do a Canadian-based composer, arranger, Mike justice, to simply say he’s versatile, or eclectic. conductor, drummer, percussionist He’s possessed by an inexhaustible, energetic spirit.” and trumpeter. He studied at York University, Toronto, the University of Mike Shotton is a human dynamo. Offered as evidence: Western Ontario, London, Ontario, In ‘91, after appearing on Boston’s platinum fifth album, and Berklee College of Music, “Walk On” (MCA) , he signed to EMI records worldwide Boston, where he majored in Film with his own original hard rock band, “Von Groove”. To date, Scoring and Composition. He has Von Groove has completed their ninth album under the Z performed with several symphony orchestras across North Records/Marquee labels. In ‘98, Michael also became part America, as well as appearing internationally with such of the rock group “The Outpatience”, releasing their debut notable artists as Denny Doherty, The Rankin Sisters, Ashley album, “Anxious Disease” (Teichiku/Virgin). This album McIsaac, J.P. Cormier, and Michael Burgess. He recently features all of the members of Guns n’ Roses (including conducted a tour with Roger Hodgson (Supertramp). He a duet with Axl Rose), Steve Stevens of Billy Idol fame was musical director/arranger for the Opening of the MTS and Louis Conte (of Phil Collins, and many other A list Center in Winnipeg where he conducted the WSO and guest sessions). Recently, Michael has been playing drums with artists Randy Bachman, Burton Cummings, Tom Cochrane the well-known Canadian band “The Spoons”, as well as and Chantal Kreviazuk. His musical theatre experience performing as a solo vocalist on many symphony dates all includes productions at the Grand Theatre London, Huron across North America - all of this, while providing the voice Country Playhouse, and the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, behind many radio & television commercials, such as Coke, as well as a four-month position with Chandris Fantasy Labatt’s, Coors, Crunchie, Fosters, the Bay and many more. Cruise Lines based in the Caribbean. His jazz performances include collaborations with Sam Noto, Phil Nimmons, Al In 2001 he independently wrote, produced and released a Kay, Jeff Stout, George Zonce, Duncan Hopkins, Mike 911 fundraiser song entitled “The Heart of America”, which Murley, Kevin Turcotte, Jerry Johnson, and Guido Basso. is currently part of a compilation album with the likes of Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen. The indefatigable During his tenure as composer in residence with Orchestra and prolific Burlington Ontario-based Renaissance man London, he wrote several major compositions including has also teamed up with Gordon Deppe (The Spoons) and Algoma, a tone poem for orchestra, and Concerto for English Tom Lewis (Partland Brothers, Alan Frew) to form the pop- Horn. Jeff has worked with Amy Sky, Marc Jordan, Lorraine rock band “5 STAR FALL”. The debut record “Automatic Segato (The Parachute Club), Alan Frew (Glass Tiger), Rik Ordinary” is available through www.myspace.com as Emmett (Triumph) Brian Vollmer (Helix), Lawrence Gowan, well as www.thespoons.com . Currently, Michael has Jim Witter, Thomas Wade and The Spoons. teamed up with Canadian Hall of Fame icon Rik Emmett; playing, co-producing, and co-writing the melodic hard Jeff’s original compositions for a wide variety of ensembles rock of “AIRTIME”. The debut album (Liberty Manifesto) are in demand internationally. His music for the Opening is available internationally under the Marquee/ Escape Ceremonies of the Canada Games premiered on national labels, at Maplemusic.com and www.rikemmett.com . television in the summer of 2001. Jeff has worked on various feature films and television programs with credits including In the summer of ‘07, Michael had the honor of writing and High Point Casinos (Global TV), National Aboriginal co-producing “Just Believe”, the new theme for the annual Achievement Awards (CBC) and “Chatroom” (HBO, Canadian Special Olympics, a song that captures the spirit BET). His most recent commissions include Bluewater of the games and its competitors. Somehow, after all of this, Portrait for solo oboe and orchestra, and Canadian Voyage, the guy still found time to develop his own TV show for pre- a five-movement suite for french horn and orchestra. schoolers, called “Mike’s Garage”, featuring a kaleidoscope of songs, characters and adapted for television with MICHAEL SHOTTON ( Lead Vocals) support from Bob McGrath of “Sesame Street” himself! Born in Newcastle, England, Michael Shotton loved music from the His almost impossibly wide vocal range: the spectrum moment he discovered The Beatles. of his abilities: the charisma of his stage presence and Subsequently performing, by the ripe his astonishing appetite and lust for life: these qualities old age of three, Michael accumulated shine through in the multitude of things he does. years of experience playing drums (southpaw!) and singing in countless DAVE DUNLOP (Guitars) Dave original, top-40 and specialty tribute Dunlop has been a pro guitarist / acts. In 1988, Michael signed to Herb Alpert’s label, songwriter / singer / educator for A&M, with the pop-based group “Diamond Life”, who’s the past 25 years. Currently, Dave hit “Habits of the Heart” still, gets play on Canadian balances his studio work while AOR radio. This launched one of the most diverse, touring as a member of the award- storied kinds of careers that could possibly be imagined. winning “Strung-Out Troubadours”, the “Rik Emmett Band”, the “Alan He plays: he sings: he entertains. But he also writes: he Frew Trio” and “Jeans ’n Classics”. engineers: he produces. Consult his friends and family, as WHO’S WHO Dave has been an integral member of the “Jeans ’n Classics” Paul has taught part-time at Humber College in Toronto band since 2005, traveling around North America playing for the past 24 years and has written several articles live pop and rock shows with Orchestras, winning rave for Modern Drummer magazine. He also taught reviews for his handiwork in many shows, including the and performed at KOSA 2010. His book “DeLong music of Pink Floyd, The Beatles, and Queen. Way To Polyrhythmic Creativity On The Drumset” is now being distributed worldwide by Hudson Ltd. Dave was lead guitarist and writer in rock band “The Full Nine”, signed to Disney’s Mammoth Records in 2001. They MITCH TYLER (Electric Bass) Mitchell had chart success with the single, “Not Over.” He’s also Tyler, a London, Ontario resident, is an been a faculty member at the National Summer Guitar Honours Bachelor of Music (Theory Workshop, and has had sideman stints with Bo Diddley, and Composition) and Bachelor of Mike Reno (Loverboy), Ron Sexsmith, and many others. Education graduate of the University In 2008 Dave joined re-formed Hall of Famers, “Triumph”, of Western Ontario and has been a supporting the original line-up of Rik Emmett, Gil Moore professional musician since 1987. As a and Mike Levine. freelance electric and upright bassist, conductor and music educator he has done everything from theater, concert and symphony work Dave established the “Room 9” studio in his Toronto home to session, club and corporate engagements. He is a part in 2005, where he has been busy recording and producing time contract teacher of string music and classical guitar projects non-stop ever since. The studio has since drawn with the Thames Valley District School Board in London, him into the jingle world, with the writing of the music for Ontario. an U.S. Budweiser radio campaign. As a long-time member of the Jeans ’n Classics Band, Dave’s long-standing working relationship with Hall of Mitchell has worked with many orchestras in Canada Famer Rik Emmett culminated in their duo project “Strung- (Orchestra London Canada, Kitchener-Waterloo Out Troubadours” in 2006, with Dave co-writing, recording, Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic, Edmonton Symphony, co-producing, mixing and performing on the project, all Québec Symphony etc.) as well as in the United States in his Room 9 studio. The strength of the duo’s chemistry (Detroit Symphony, South Dakota Symphony, San Diego snared them the “Album of the Year” and “Best Group/ Symphony et al). He has shared the stage with Roger Duo” prizes at the 2007 Canadian Smooth Jazz awards, Hodgson (Supertramp), Lawrence Gowan (Styx), Rik where they were the most heavily nominated act. Both of Emmett (Triumph), Alan Frew (Glass Tiger), as well as the “Troubs” were also up for “Best Guitarist”. Amy Skye, Rich Little, Joan Rivers, Mickey Rooney and Donald O’Connor. Recent recordings include Denise Dave produced and mixed their follow-up CD, “Live at Pelley’s “Christmas From The Heart” (2007) and London Hugh’s Room” (2007), showcasing the acoustic duo in a Pro Musica / Antler River Project’s “Songs of The Land” magical evening captured just before Christmas 2006 at (2008). the fabled Toronto venue. The “Troubs” have since followed up the “Hugh’s Room” disc with the 2009 critically- Mitchell has just begun his seventh season as a regular acclaimed release “Push & Pull”, also produced at Room 9.