Singer-songwriter Tanya Wills is as comfortable on stage in a musical as she is in a club with her Quartet, and has sung everything from swing to blues/folk and jazz. Known not only for her dynamic performance but also as a great vocal technician, Tanya brings a sensual and evocative sound to her musical interpretations. She has performed in a great number of Toronto’s most popular Jazz venues such as Hugh’s Room, Jazz Bistro and Hirut, and is one of the featured vocalists for The Wintergarten Orchestra, a Toronto-based, 11-piece Vintage Jazz Ensemble – a sensational band for her to flex her Cabaret muscles, and to add her German and French repertoire. Her recently released album, SHE, is a collection of original music arranged by Bill Bridges.
Born in 1944 in rural Alberta, Bill began playing the guitar when he was about 13 or so and celebrated his 15th birthday while on the road with a band. Since then he has toured the world playing and writing all styles of music from jazz to classical and is one of the most sought-after arrangers of symphonic music in Canada. Bill has worked with such artists as Howard Cable, Guido Basso, Hagood Hardy, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Petula Clarke, Eartha Kitt, and Tony Bennett, to name a few. He toured with Lena Horne for
several years. Miss Horne said, "He plays so pretty I want to stop singing and just listen".
Ron Johnston has been professionally performing and recording with a number of different groups, including John MacLeod’s REX HOTEL Orchestra, since 1971. Ron has also appeared in TV shows and Films as a musician extra, including being a main band member in the Oscar-winning film “Chicago”. He was one of the original members of the well-known Hard Bop band “Kollage”. Kevin hails from Newfoundland, where he began a love affair with things that make noise at an early age. He hasn’t stopped since, experimenting with the textures of percussion and playing with Big Rude Jake, Jack Zorawski and Joel Miller. He studied music with Andre White at McGill University.
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Tanya Wills - Reid's Concert Series at Reid's Distillery is sold out.