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Steve Briggs:Guitar,Mandolin-Howard Willett:Harp,Vocals-John Adames:Drums-Burke Carroll:Pedal Steel-Dennis Pendrith:Bass-Drew Jurecka:Violin
In a relatively short period of time, the Bebop Cowboys have quickly become known as "Canada's premier western swing outfit."
Initially introduced at the preschool their kids attended, Steve Briggs (guitar, band leader) and Howard Willett (harp, vocals) started their musical relationship as a jazz-blues duo, and expanded into what ultimately has become the virtuostic country swing group, the Bebop Cowboys. After bringing together in-demand session players to complete the band, including pedal steel wiz Burke Carroll (Nathan, the Brothers Cosmoline, Justin Rutledge)--a venerable touchstone for Canada's roots music scene--the Bebops polished their repertoire in a residency at Toronto's Cadillac Lounge and recorded their first CD, Début. They then went on to pen their own original western swing tunes brought together with Briggs' formidable arranging skills, and released their critically-celebrated follow-up, Some Kind of Fantasy in 2003. Tours in western and central Canada, and playing the role of presenter with their successful HOMETOWN COUNTRY JUBILEE! showcase series has since kept the band happily busy.
In comparing the Bebops to such legendary western swing groups as Jimmy Dickens and his Country Boys, and Ernest Tubb's Texas Troubadors, one of Canada's Western Swing Music Society reviewers summed up the band's second CD like this:
"Ordinarily such comparisons would be a bit of a reach; believe me, these guys really are this good. Some Kind of Fantasy is easily the best contemporary western swing recording I've heard in quite a while."
Says band leader Steve Briggs of the third CD Canadian Dance Hall; "This is by far the best work the Bebops have ever done."
Steve Briggs (guitar, mandolin, vocals)
A native of Powell River B.C., Steve studied at Malaspina College, and then the Berklee School of Music in Boston. For more than 15 years, Steve has been a busy freelance guitarist and arranger in Toronto. He has performed, arranged and recorded with both local and international artists including the Brothers Cosmoline, Gregg Lawless, Bill Usher, Russell de Carle and Carroll Baker. As a guitar/mandolin instructor, he has been featured twice in Toronto Life Magazine and has released two instructional CDs.
Howard Willett (harp, vocals)
Vocalist-Harmonica player, Howard Willett has spent most of his musical career playing in the country and blues genres. He has toured Canada a number of times with R.W. Pawley and later, The Good Old Boys. Since arriving in Toronto in 1990, Howard has fronted his own band, The Shifters. He has appeared on CBC Radio and Television and guested with Jack de Keyser, Downchild Bluesband, bluegrass favourites Whiskey Jack and gospel/blues songwriter Danny Brooks.
Burke Carroll (pedal steel)
Burke studied music at the University of Toronto and has toured the globe extensively, backing artists such as George Fox, the Good Brothers, Shania Twain, Luther Wright and the Wrongs, the Brothers Cosmoline, the Wilkensons, Scotty Campbell and Kelli Trottier. Burke has also arranged and produced music as well. His credits exceed the amount of space available, and his humility would limit the credit he is due.
Dennis Pendrith (stand-up bass)
Dennis is a veteran bassist who has toured and recorded extensively with
many influential Canadian artists, including Bruce Cockburn, Gordon
Lightfoot, Murray McLaughlin, Raffi, Ken and Chris Whiteley, among many
others. He is a studio musician with TV, radio, and movie soundtracks,
playing on over 300 albums. Most recently he is the bass player for CBC's
the Vinyl Cafe with Stuart McLean touring band.
John Adames (drums)
John has had extensive experience and has earned much respect as a drummer on the Canadian music scene, playing for Rough Trade, David Wilcox, Prairie Oyster, Chris Whiteley and Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, the Brothers Cosmoline and many others, as well as many appearances on CBC television. He was also a member of Mary De Keyser’s Melody Ranch.
Drew Jurecka (violin)
A graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Royal Conservatory of Music where he studied with Lorand Fenyves, Drew has played with the Oshawa-Durham Symphony Orchestra, the Canton Symphony, and has played the Hollywood Bowl with Diana Krall, Shirley Horn and Dianne Reeves. He has also appeared with the Roberto Rosenman Quartet, the Dave Brubeck Quartet, is a featured soloist with Jeff Healey's Jazz Wizards, and has even starred in a film Liszt's Rhapsody playing a gypsy violinist.
