The following is sample of some of the recordings in which I was involved over the years as a producer, musician, singer and/or songwriter.
In the late 70s, when I was teaching the junior high level, I met with a group singers and musicians that were on the cusp of becoming a group in its own right. I decided at that point to write material that they could record in a studio. A 4-song EP was produced, followed by a television special and a tour of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Eastern provinces. To this day, all of these students have continued to play, sing and perform at live venues.
Another young high school band looking at recording a few of my my songs. A 4-song EP was produced, followed by a community concert and an energetic distribution by students and parents alike. Many of the students have continued to play either on their own or in various bands and orchestras.
Mainstream was released in the late 80s as a partnership with Q-94 FM radio station. The album highlighted some of the more active music scene singers, songwriters, musicians and engineers. A shout-out to Dave Zeglinki and his staff for their creative support in this project.
Juste pour dire is a first music compilation of Manitoba francophone artists. it includes the lyrics, a list of the singers, songwriters and musicians that took part. As the CD’s producer, my task was to assemble a list of artists and, in cooperation with the Francophone community, make decisions about what should be included.
In 1988, I met with the members of Catch 22 and upon hearing their material and seeing them perform in a live venue, I decided to manage and produce their first recording. As a result, the band received a lot of airplay, toured extensively and were the focus of local television talk shows and live performances.
In 1987, I founded MARIA (Manitoba Audio Recording Industry Association). In 1991, as its first president, I produced the Welcome to the Machine compilation CD and the very first music conference in Winnipeg. They were both considered a major success for the province of Manitoba. The association has garnered much support since then and is now a major part of the Manitoba Film and Sound organization.
During one my trips to Nunavit, I had the opportunity to visit Inuit communities in Rankin Inlet and Coral Harbour. I was taken aback by the large expanse of land and water and the gentleness if the people I met there. It inspired me to write and produce a song I had written, which included the voice of Noah TikTak who was then a resident of Rankin Inlet.
As the director of the Digital Media Department at the Université de Saint-Boniface, I had the opportunity to have a recording studio built and, as a result, produced and recorded many of the local Francophone artists. The compilation went on to win the 2001 Prairie Music Awards.
When I left the university, I created cafresonique.com, an online 3D virtual global community for musicians. It provided me the opportunity to travel in many countries worldwide and meet up with some very talented artists. The Cafesonique Cocktail compilation CD showcases the quality and professionalism of their songwriting and musicianship. As a follow-up to the launch of the CD, a showcase of the artists was held in a Berlin, Germany venue.
In 2008, I met with Jaime Wells, a Brisbane, Australia singer songwriter in Sydney. She was looking at recording her first album in Canada and was delighted when I recommended she hire me as her producer. With the help of Dorina Morelli, another talented Australian singer songwriter, I picked the creme de la creme of Winnipeg musicians and recorded the album at Midcan Recording Studios with Howard Rissin, one of Winnipeg’s most experienced engineers. Jaime also included one of my songs on her album and although she couldn’t speak French, managed to deliver a wonderful version of the song.
As part of business venture in Costa Rica, I was hired to create a compilation CD for the La Joya Residences, a new development in the southern region of the country. In partnership with Dorina Morelli and Roxie Music Group,, I compiled a list of artists that not only would showcase the beachside development’s cultural endeavours, but also would be an ideal way for new artists to promote their music.
After spending a large part of my musical career supporting her acts and having there artists perform my material, I decided it was time to bite the bullet and showcase my songs in a live venue. I was always attracted to the Blues as an art form so I began writing in that format. From the Saturday Night Basement Blues Band, to the Overnight Parking Band and finally to Oliver Stakz, I felt I had found my niche as a singer, musician and songwriter. With the help of Steve and Aaron Magian, I produced and recorded this first album followed by a launch in 2020.
My foray into the realm of the Blues led me to experiment with jazz especially jazz related to the American Songbook. As result, with the help of Emily Arsenault, Tom Brodbeck and Derek Hokanson, I produced and recorded a 4-song EP in my home studio. That was followed by a music video and a showcase at Le Garage in Saint-Boniface.
Marlyborne was fortunate enough to add Elizabeth Sadler to its team and in 2020 I recorded Waitin’ for the Party, another 4-song EP that highlighted Latin American songs, jazz versions R&B and Pop tunes and a Swing song that I had written for the album. That was followed by a showcase at The Basement venue to swell-attended and appreciative audience.
Manitoba Blues was the brainchild of Wayne Flett, the CEO of Music City Manitoba. The first album was a major part of a promotional package and showcased local and international acts such as Jennifer Hanson, the Swinging Blue Jeans. Marmalade and the Troggs. I was fortunate enough to be asked to sing, write the music and produce the first track penned by Wayne himself.
