The Maple Blues Awards Backing Band

Meet The 37th Annual Maple Blues Awards

Backing Band

THE MAPLES

The Maple Blues Awards backing band is changing for the first time since 1999 which was held by Gary Kendall and The Maple Blues Band, with an all new set of fresh faces.

Manny DeGrandis – Musical Director and Bass

This is Manny’s first year as Musical Director for The Maple Blues Awards Band. He is no stranger to the award show having Stage Managed the last 2 award shows and working so close with The Maple Blues Band made Gary Kendall’s decision to pass the MD duties over to him easy.

Manny has been a professional bass player for the past 20+ years. Since graduating from Humber he hit the Toronto/GTA scene and hasn’t stopped. Playing all styles of music on electric, fretless or upright basses. He has been musical director for theatre shows ‘Woodstock Lives’, ‘Rolling Thunder’ and others.

You can catch Manny playing with his regular acts Glenn Marais and The Mojo Train, Chris Antonik, Karwat and The Coin Collection, Ainsworth DeGrandis, Four 1 Soul or subbing with many Toronto/GTA bands on any given night.

www.instagram.com/mannybass

Quincy Bullen – Keyboards, Guitar and Vocals

Quincy Bullen is a multi-talented pianist, producer, DJ, and performer whose infectious energy and eclectic jazz, R&B and soul fusion has earned him a devoted following. As a classically trained musician with a background in jazz, Quincy puts his own contemporary twist on musical genres by blending funk, electronic, hip hop and house.

Known for his sensitivity as a composer, Quincy released his debut solo album “On Q” in 2010, featuring his Caribbean-inspired jazz vibe with acclaimed musicians like drummer Larnell Lewis. His latest album pushes boundaries, synthesizing disparate genres and adding his signature funky bass lines and Rhodes piano.

When he’s not on stage, Quincy spends time honing his skills as a professional DJ, expertly spinning and remixing tracks to get audiences dancing. He has brought his DJ talents to top venues across North America.

Quincy’s passion for music began with his teen jazz band Quintessential Boys. He continues to assemble dynamic bands to bring his musical vision to life, reinvigorating jazz standards with his unique funky, electronic style.

An energetic and humorous performer, Quincy’s stage antics like dancing with his piano bench or inviting fans on stage keep audiences entertained along with his incredible talent. His stage presence and musicality have made him a sought-after act at top festivals like TD, Montreal Jazz, and Caribana.

Website

Selena Evangeline – Guitar and Vocals

Selena Evangeline is, without question, a world-class singer. The sounds of Ella Fitzgerald, Chaka Khan, Prince, and Stevie Wonder helped shape the musician she is today. As a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, her songs are musical snapshots of real-life and emotions, from a real woman. Those “snapshots” helped to win her an Ontario Independent Music Award for Best Urban, Barrie New Music Award as well as honourable mention in the John Lennon Song Writing Competition.

By way of her travels, Selena has shared the studio and stages with Sheila E., Patrice Rushen, Jocelyn Brown, The Nylons, Odyssey and the list goes on. You may have also seen Selena on stage backing Canadian icon Amanda Marshall as well as CMA winner Johnny Reid.

With her love of all things music, Selena hopes to continue sharing that love with audiences for years to come.

Website

Kristen Prince – Tenor and Bari Sax

Kristen Prince is a Mississauga based saxophone player and singer. She has performed with many artists including the Arkells, Canadian legend Andy Kim, Lowest of the Low, My Son the Hurricane, and 4-time Juno nominee Tom Barlow. Kristen stays active in the music scene doing live performances, writing and producing original music/videos, as well as working on her latest project: Lion Blue, a duo with Canadian trumpeter Steve McDade.

https://www.facebook.com/kponsax/

Dave Patel – Drums

Dave has been an integral part of the Toronto music scene for over 35 years, both on stage and in the studio, performing and recording. He has enjoyed being part of T.V. and commercial projects, as well as playing with the Toronto Symphony and continues now to expand his talents to include the title of ‘Producer’ and ‘Mix Engineer’. Dave has had the pleasure of being a part of Mirvish Productions such as ‘Hamilton’, ‘& Juliet’, ‘Bat Out of Hell’ and ‘Dear Evan Hansen’, and he is thrilled to be on board the production of ‘Chris Mrs.’.

Performance Bio
Some of the artists Dave has performed with or recorded for are;

Mirvish Productions of Hamilton, & Juliet, Bat Out of Hell and Dear Evan Hansen. Wendy Irvine, Chelsea Sunrise, Joseph and the Amazing Techni-color Dreamcoat, Susan Aglucark, Mica Paris, Nelly Furtado, Crystal Shawanda, Mel Brown, Dan Hill, Shane Yellowbird, Emmanuel Jal, Jeff Jones, The Wilkinsons, Danny Marks, Tanika Charles, Buffy Ste. Marie, Pretzel Logic, Zack Yassin/Sean Terrio, James Wilson, Tony ‘Wild T’ Springer, U.N. Jefferson, Carlo Coppola, Tom Barlow, Luke McMaster, Justin Hines, Kellylee Evans, Moe Koffman, Julie C, Dixie Chicken, John Fraser Findlay, New Choir, Ed Roman, Mimi O’Bonsawin, Johnny Max, Ryan Connolly, Tony Monaco, Bass is Base, Elysse Saunders, Jamie Bonk, Marshall Dane, Kolette Easy, Rob Quail, Dave Antonacci, Two Rooms, Andrea Koziol, Jace Martin, Michael Schatte, One, Leah Belle, Don Thompson, JukeJoint, Frank Cosentino, Bree Taylor, Nicole Rayy, New Moon Junction, The Studio 1 Jazz Orchestra, Planet Earth, Ian Chrichton, Shakura S’Aida, Nick ‘Brownman’ Ali, The Toronto Symphony, T.V. and commercial jingles and many other wonderful people/artists.

https://www.facebook.com/david.patel.794/