The George Lake Big Band
Steve Pettafor
Band Leader, Trumpet
In 1997, Steve started a “rehearsal” band. It soon became clear that the music they were making was too good to keep to themselves. His leadership has created one of the hottest big bands working today. His vision of blending classic and contemporary styles has produced an award-winning sound. Inspired by Steve’s enthusiasm and sense of fun, these accomplished players clearly enjoy themselves.
Vincent Wolfe
Vocals
With three successful studio projects and hundreds of club, concert, and festival dates to his credit, Toronto-based crooner VINCENT WOLFE continues to wow audiences in Canada and in the U.S. His talent has earned praise from revered jazz vocalists Marlena Shaw, Sheila Jordan, and jazz-soul diva Jean Carne, and his voice has been described by Manhattan Transfer founding member Laurel Massé as “somewhere between Chet Baker and Mel Tormé — a wonderful place to be!”
Admired for his warm, velvety vocals and relaxed charm, VINCENT WOLFE is also a natural storyteller. His patter before, during, and in between songs is often hilarious, as is his spontaneous interplay with both band and audience members as he invites the listener in, like a valued friend.
Vincent has toured the club and festival circuit in Canada, and in select U.S. cities. He has also performed all around the globe during his contracts aboard the world-famous Cunard luxury cruise line, appearing with the Queen’s Room Orchestra, the Chart Room jazz trio, the Royal Cunard Big Band, and later headlining with the Royal Court Theatre Orchestra.
Vincent Wolfe’s warm stage presence and extensive, eclectic repertoire is a guaranteed crowd pleaser, whether he’s in an intimate cabaret room, a swinging jazz club, or concertizing in a theatre setting. Renowned Canadian entertainment columnist John Kennedy has declared Vincent “Canada’s next star-in- waiting.”
Aside from his many engagements at some of the top jazz and cabaret venues in Canada and abroad, he has appeared at countless corporate and private events and has also been wowing the nightclub scene with his Vegas-style Headliner show entitled “As Long As I’m Singing: A Tribute to the Crooner Era and Beyond” — an hour-long headliner show featuring 20 memorable songs and 3 exciting medleys!
After five years of fronting Toronto’s Bob Cary Orchestra, Vegas North Orchestra, and guesting with the Swing Shift Big Band, Vincent Wolfe now performs regularly with the very popular George Lake Big Band, as well as his own jazz ensemble and the (seven to eleven-piece) Vincent Wolfe Orchestra.
In 2008, Vincent was nominated for a prestigious MAC Award* for his New York City cabaret debut, enchanting audiences at the popular off-Broadway Triad Theatre.
* Manhattan Association of Cabarets & Clubs
Sharon Smith
Vocals
After graduating from York University with an Honours Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Jazz Performance, Sharon embarked on a performance career that included musical theatre, nightclubs, family and corporate parties, radio and television commercials, live television appearances and liturgical Jewish repertoire in the synagogue. With the birth of her children, she became interested in early childhood music and trained to become a teacher. Sharon is currently very active as a professional singer, teaching children music using the Orff method for the Toronto District School Board, and running her own private music classes for young children.
Kathy Thompson
Vocals
Kathy has been a professional singer since her first performance at age 16. Kathy was a voice major for three years in the Humber College Music Program in Toronto in addition to studying with various private singing teachers.
Kathy joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and was posted in Ottawa where, after Basic Training, she was the vocalist for the RCAF 55-piece Central Band. During her stay in the military, Sergeant Thompson was also on library staff as a copyist / calligrapher. She was also vocalist at The Chateau Laurier with the Moxy Whitney Orchestra.
Singing live jazz, Kathy was a featured vocalist with Paul Grosney’s Orchestra in many venues including Toronto Jazz Festival, Canada Day Nathan Phillips Square and at Vaughan Estates and has performed with Guido Basso’s orchestra.
As a Bette Midler Tribute Artist, Kathy has performed in many countries around the world including Japan, Switzerland, Mexico, the USA and Germany, getting her start with Legends in Concert from Las Vegas including venues such as Bally’s, Taj Mahal, Casino Rama and many more.
Kathy has been a vocal coach for over two decades as Pure Voice Power. She still privately teaches singing and performance. www.purevoicepower.ca
Join Us Sunday
June 23
The Duke Live
Hear the band live!
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Small Steps CD
Trumpets
Liam Gosling
John Chaplin
Dave Locke
George McCormick
Noel Methven
Trombones
Ron Robbins (Arranger)
Scott McGonigal
Pat Ryan
Rob Tilley
Saxophones
Paul Schofield
Diana (Dee Dee) Roy
Graz Brescacin
Bryan Covey
Matthew Sorley
Rhythm
Leon Racine (Piano)
Gary Atkins (Guitar)
Bruce Griffin (Bass)
Leigh Robinson (Percussion)