The George Rose Big Band Members Brantford Ontario Canada


George Rose - Trumpet / Leader George studied trumpet, theory and arranging with many well known teachers and top pro players. He gained a wide variety of experience playing with musical shows, orchestral groups, dance combos and big band. For eight years he played with the house band at Hamilton’s Leander Boat Club. Upon moving to Brantford in 1981, he provided a house band at one of Brantford’s local taverns for a year. Shortly after that engagement terminated, he and the other band members recruited fellow musicians, who shared a passion for big band, and formed The George Rose Big Band. That was twenty-eight years and five albums ago.	Sean Colwell - Trumpet / Road Manager Sean studied music at Humber College and then McMaster University, graduating with an Honors B.A. Since graduation he has taught high school music and conducted area bands and orchestras. Most notable of these would be the Brant Youth Symphony, and the Brantford Memorial Concert Band (seventy plus members), which he still conducts. When not teaching or conducting, he has been known to sit in with the Brantford Symphony Orchestra. Sean is one of the founding members of the George Rose Big Band.	Dave McCulloch - Trumpet Dave studied music in the U.K. and performed in many bands in Scotland and England. Upon coming to Canada in the sixties, he found his talents to be in demand by many bands and orchestras in the Hamilton/Burlington area. He has been a regular in the George Rose Big Band since shortly after it was formed, and has performed on all five albums.

Jon Berec - Trumpet
Jon studied music and computer science at Waterloo University. Since graduation, Jon has taught high school and played in and conducted many area bands. As well as the trumpet Jon is a talented guitarist, and has been known to sing. Jon has been a member of the George Rose Big Band since the late 1990's.

Stan Szymkow -TenorSax

Stan has played with many bands over the years, including the Niagara College Jazz Band, The Mohawk College Tuesday Night Band, The Warren Stirtzinger Group and many more. He's studied saxophone with many of the country's finest players including Roger Norris, Dick Griffo, Terry Bassom and Stephen Rosenthal. He enjoys playing all kinds of music, including blues, jazz, fusion, R&B and various forms of pop.

Al Newhouse - Tenor Sax
Al is a man of many talents, as you can see, if you look at the cover and artwork of our latest CDs. (Al’s work) Away from the horn for a few years, Al has come back with a vengeance. Al subted for absent members of our sax section for several years, and when a vacancy arose he was the logical choice. Al is equally at home on alto, tenor or baritone sax.


Sandy Manning - Alto Sax Sandy joined the George Rose Big Band after many years of playing in concert bands and musical shows. As well as alto sax, Sandy plays soprano sax and flute. As though that isn't enough, Sandy can often be seen playing viola with orchestral groups in the area.	Chris Walton - Alto Sax Chris started playing saxophone and clarinet in highschool, and upon graduation went on to the Berklee School of Music in Boston, to further his studies. He has since performed with many area orchestras and bands. Many of the reed players in our area are students or former students of Chris. Chris can often be seen performing in a duo with local guitarist Pat Feely. Chris is one of the founding members of the George Rose Big Band.	Aaron Haydon - Baritone Sax Aaron is another multi instrumentalist who plays flute, piccolo, clarinet, and all the saxophones. At this point it appears that music will become a lifelong career for Aaron as he plans on enrolling in the McMaster music program in 2011, with designs on eventually teaching high school music. Given his unquestionable ability, there is little doubt that he will achieve his goal.

Murray Hiliker - Trombone
Murray plays or has played in all of the area’s concert bands. He is a devoted bandsman as his father was before him. Murray is often seen in the pit orchestra of various musical shows in the area. He has been in the George Rose Big Band since the 1990's.

Brian Boyes - Bass Trombone

Brian, a dedicated music enthusiast, joined the George Rose Big Band on bass trombone in 2011. Another multi-instrumentalist, Brian also plays bass, percussion, trumpet and saxophone . As well as the big band, Brian has considerable experience with concert bands and orchestras, having performed with the Mississauga Pops orchestra, the 48th Highlanders and numerous other ensembles.


Bob Phillips - Trombone / Vocal Starting with a musical family, then school and community bands, Bob furthered his musical training at Western University. Following graduation, he secured a highschool teaching position. He currently leads a highschool stage band, and as a trombonist performs with many bands and orchestral groups in the Toronto area. Bob has been lead trombonist in the George Rose Big Band since 1998. Bob is featured as trombone soloist and vocalist on our latest albums.	Steve Urech - Bass Steve has become known as “the guy with the funny bass”. As different as it may look, it sounds great. Steve played around the Hamilton area with many different bands and orchestral groups, before joining the George Rose Big Band in the early 1990's. Steve can be heard on the bands last four CDs.	Glen Silverthorn - Drums Glen is probably the most versatile percussionist that I have ever met. Equally at home with a large symphony orchestra, an intimate jazz combo, concert band, or a hard driving big band like the George Rose Big Band. Glen has been with our band since we started but initially it was part-time, due to the many other musical commitments he had. Glen performed on all five albums that the band produced, including vocals on the first recording.


Paul Monne - Guitar Paul has a varied musical background playing everything from rock, to country, to pop and now big band. Although at one time a trombone player in the Western University marching band, his main instrument these days is guitar. Fellow bandsman Al Newhouse and Paul often work together in a smaller group called Corner Pocket. Paul has the distinction of being the first guitar player to be a member of the George Rose Big Band.	Lowell Soucie-Piano Lowell is a talented pianist who started out with classical training. His experience ranges from classical recitals to lounge pianist to burlesque shows to cabaret shows. For many years, Lowell led his own band in the Hamilton area. He was a welcome addition to the George Rose Big Band, in the early 90's when our previous pianist left unexpectedly. Lowell performed on the band’s last four CDs.	Michelle LaPointe - Vocals Michelle is a talented vocalist with an exceptional voice. She has performed with many choirs and vocal groups, including a vocal trio called “Makin Waves” with whom she recorded. Michelle has been with the band since 2005 and has been featured on the band's latest CDs.