Awards Backing Band

PASS THE ENVELOPE BAND

MEET THE BAND

Manny DeGrandis – Bass & Musical Director

This is Manny’s second year as Musical Director for The Awards Backing Band.  He is no stranger to the award show having Stage Managed the 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, Jesse Karwat and The Coin Collection, Ainsworth DeGrandis, or subbing with many Toronto/GTA bands on any given night.

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.

His Caribbean roots, classical training, and lifelong immersion in jazz, hip hop and electronic music create his distinctive sound. Quincy has even been known to freestyle rap on stage when the mood strikes him!

When he’s not performing, you can find Quincy engaged in his many athletic pursuits – basketball, rollerblading, skiing and more. With a deep respect for the jazz tradition coupled with a vision for its future potential, Quincy Bullen shares his eclectic artistry, humor, and relentless passion with growing audiences worldwide.

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Award-winning singer-songwriter Cécile Doo-Kingué is considered one of Canada’s finest and most versatile guitarists. 

A veteran of the funk-soul, blues and roots scenes, Doo-Kingué has shared a stage, recorded with or opened for artists as diverse as Montreal Jubilation Choir, Shakura S’Aida, Bernard Purdie, Canned Heat, Tower of Power, Angélique Kidjo, Youssou N’Dour, Manu Dibango, amongst many.

Known for her exceptional stage presence and enthralling style, the multiple Maple Blues Awards nominee has released four albums to critical acclaim, as well as tour extensively through Canada and internationally. 

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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/or recording with artists such as The Tenors, Street Heart, Mel Brown,Nelly Furtado, Susan Aglucark, Crystal Shawanda, Buffy Ste. Marie, Dan Hill,
Emmanual Jal, Jeff Jones, Tom Barlow, Luke McMaster, Bass is Base, Tony ‘Wild T’ Springer, Yassin and Terrio, Wendy Irvine, Ian Chrichton, Shakura S’Aida, Nick ‘Brownman’ Ali, Moe Koffman and Kellylee Evans, to name but a few. 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 with the ‘Chris Mrs.’team.

Teaching privately and in music stores, starting in 1989, led to a current teaching position at Metalworks Institute as a professor, teaching and writing curriculum for several subjects. ( ensembles, musicianship, sight-reading , mixing in logic, post production, private lessons and
percussion ensemble) and also teaching ensembles at Centennial college.

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DAN JANCAR – TENOR SAXOPHONE

Dan started playing clarinet in grade 6 and got to play the sax in grade 7. He went to a performing arts high school and was mentored by Larry Bodner, formerly of Downchild, Lighthouse, Muddy Waters and UB40. Dan’s first Concert was Elton John. Sir
Elton opened his show with “Funeral For a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” and he was hooked! He knew he wanted to be a musician after that. Then he heard Bruce Springsteen and the Big Man’s sax that sounded like it was on fire!… the rest is history.

Dan has played with members of Manteca, Bowfire, Goddo,
Aaron Solomon (Shania Twain, Jeff Healy, Big Sugar), cover
bands and original bands, and of course, FOG! His influences
include but are not limited to… Clarence Clemons, Lenny Pickett,
Tower of Power, Trombone Shorty, Elton John, Prince, John
Coltrane, Wayne Shorter, Charlie Parker, Chicago, and Steely Dan.

Dan’s motto is evident daily: Be humble, kind and respectful in
life…be a monster on stage!