Our Bios
Maximilan de Souza – Band Leader/Bass/Vocals
Band Leader/Bass Player/Vocalist – over 50 years experience worldwide, arranges all the music for the group, plays electric upright and sings lead vocals. Originally from East Africa, he began playing bass guitar when he was 15 years old, performing in his early teens at various local Restaurants/Golf Clubs/Hotels International/Backup Bass Player to International Cabaret Artists and Session Musician/Jazz Festivals and Large International Venues and Jazz Festivals. During his career he has been in and out of the music scene playing in many different groups and styles of music in venues that hold up to 2500 people. Self taught he has played different genre of music (country, classical, folk, rag time, blue grass, blues and rock music) including mentoring and teahing young musicians. Maximilan is a member of Canadian Independent Recording Artists Association, (CIRAA) and studied at Berkley School of Music. He has performed in London England/Europe/South America/US and in Canada. Performing all over the world for the past 47 years.
Maximilan is strongly influenced by the great big bands such as Count Basie and the vocals of Frank Sinatra/Nat King Cole/Tony Bennett/Ella Fitzgerald/Natalie Cole. Musical influenced by Ray Brown, Paul McCartney, Motown The Temptations, The Supremes, The Commodores, The Four Tops, The Miracles, The Jackson 5, James Brown, The Beatles, Mamas and the Papas, The Shadows, Rolling Stones and The Animals. Jazz artists I follow would be Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Dave Brubeck, Charles Mingus, Oscar Peterson, Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Chet Baker.
Professional Musicians associated with since 1965 – Originated from East Africa
Worked at EMI Records in London England. Met and played with many professional musicians, travelled through Europe, Africa, North America. Socialized during my time at EMI Records with The Beatles Eric Clapton Ginger Baker Diana Ross and the Supremes Michael Jackson Mamas and the Papas Cliff Richard and The Shadows Jimi Hendrix David Cassidy Pink Floyd Count Bassie Big Band and many others.
Electric Upright Bass/Fretted and Fretless Bass/6 string/5 string 4 string and guitar
Jonathan Rattos – Keyboards
Keyboards extraordaniare. Humber College Graduate, born in Mississauga, Ontario he began playing when he was ten and performing when he was sixteen. He has played in many different groups and has done special events including Oakville Jazz Festival to Toronto playing colleges, Club Link Golf circuit, nightclubs and cabarets. Jonathan plays Jazz and R&B. He is a graduate of University of Toronto and Humber College of Music and Arts. He has been tutored by Toronto professional Jazz Pianist- Brian Dickinson – and Brian DeLima who are well known within the Toronto Jazz Musical circuit. Performed at the Brazilian Festival in Toronto and other Jazz Festivals with Professional Jazz Bands including special artists events.
There no style that Jonathan can not handle. The massive knowledge of tunes from all over the world, jazz standard, broadway, pop and R&B standards and most of them in their original arrangements and beautiful solo piano stylings and vocalist comping – that’s what differs Jonathan from the rest on the crowd. Jonathan can play any tune in any key like there is a Transpose button in his head. Jonathan has a great personality and his professionalism. He has gained the respect of professional musicians well above his age group. His performs at jazz festivals in Canada and abroad for concerts in New York. He is a seasoned musician also performs with FuZion (Reggae Tribute Band), Humber College and R&B including Funk Bands.
Performs with his own Toronto renowned Dub Reggae Band – Chronicles Dub
Craig Rattos – Drums
(Drums/Percussion) Humber College Graduate Unique drumming, while always decidedly modern, can best be described as a style that embodies the history of U.S. music. Craig shows his passion by adding different rhythms outside the music boundaries to make each song stand out. His original love of rudimental drumming is evident in his intricate solos. Likewise, his command of jazz, from New Orleans music, swing, bebop, avant-garde to fusion, is applied with his powerful rock drumming sensibilities and allows him to push the boundaries of all styles to new heights. His musical focus is committed to the exploration of improvised music incorporating styles as diverse as Blues, Jazz, R&B, and Funk and Brazilian rhythms. Craig holds down the percussion end with a solid backend. He has a great attitude that can be seen in every performance and engages the audience with his quick wit laughter.
Proficient in numerous styles, Craig excels at Funk, R&B, Latin, Reggae and Jazz. He teaches at Merriam House Of Music. Most importantly, Craig is a positive role model for all kids. His motto is “Be cool, keep it nice and easy” and he sets the standard for personal achievement among his peers.
Performs with his own Toronto renowned Dub Reggae Band – Chronicles Dub
Steven Cole (Jazz Guitar)
. Steven Cole grew up in New York City and started learning music playing the violin in grade school, continuing on double-bass at the Fiorello LaGuardia High School of Music and Art. During this time he taught himself to play the guitar, progressing through a variety of styles from rock, folk and bluegrass, to classical, then later to jazz. Steven was accepted into the Ithaca college music performance program as an orchestral bassist but left after a year to travel around the US, England, and France performing as a solo acoustic guitarist and singer. Steven moved to Montreal in 1975 where he joined the jazz vocal group Bug Alley Band featuring singer Karen Young.
He was the group’s guitarist and one of four vocalists as well as arranger. Bug Alley went on to appear on a number radio and TV shows, such as the Lotto Canada Show, and recorded for CBC radio. One album was produced by bassist Gene Perla on PM Records. In 1980 he became active in the Bay Area music scene after relocating to Oakland, California. This brought him together with players such as pianist Mark Levine, bassist Robb Fisher, and drummer Vince Lateano (members of the late Cal Tjader’s quintet). He performed in the 1981 Monterey Jazz Festival and played with legendary Chet Baker in 1983. Steven was also guitar instructor for the Young Musicians Program at UC Berkeley during that time.
After moving back to NYC Steven continued his music studies taking formal composition at the Manhattan School of Music. He enrolled in the City University of New York – Hunter College music program where he earned his Bachelors and Masters degrees. Steven lives in Toronto and leads his own ensembles: Steven Cole group, Thermal Quartet, and 25 Strings guitar quartet. He has performed with many of Toronto’s fine jazz artists and plays regularly with Hammond organ master Kingsley Ettienne, The Daredevils of Soul, as well as the Toronto Art Orchestra, The Tony Mergel band and Steve Kendry quartet.Steven teaches guitar, bass and the ukulele
John Collin (Drums)
John Collin is an accomplished professional drummer specializing in the jazz and swing genres. He attended the Jazz Program at Humber College and received training with notable great Roger Flock.
Hailing from Toronto, John has over twenty years of drumming experience and has played with most of Toronto’s prominent Big Bands.
John has received airplay on Toronto’s premiere jazz radio station (91.1/JazzFM91) and has received airplay on radio stations in the United States. In addition, he has played with various jazz artists, including North American jazz legends Dave Pell and Pat LaBarbera, has performed at numerous Jazz Festivals across The GTA and also has been featured in online and print publications (Jazz Music Archives).
John has toured across Canada with actress/singer Cassie Steel of The TV Show Degrassi: The Next Generation as well as internationally doing show band work for both the Celebrity Cruise Ship company and Seabourn Cruises and Hotel gigs in Asia.
With over 30 Musical Theatre productions under his belt, John Collin is also frequently called upon for studio jobs and has worked on sessions produced by Cone of Sum41.
John currently leads his own jazz ensemble and plays various venues in and around Toronto.
Stacie McGregor – Piano
Pianist and composer Stacie McGregor is a Juno Award recipient in the “World Music “category having recorded with blues guitarist Madagascar Slim in 1999. She has since recorded three jazz albums as a leader for G-THREE Records with her debut “Straight Up” charting in over 15 countries.
She has been nominated twice for the Grand Prix de Jazz General Motors and the Prix Étoiles Galaxie de Radio-Canada award at the Montreal Jazz Festival.
The late Canadian jazz legend, drummer Archie Alleyne chose her to
be the musical director of his award winning “hard-bop” band Kollage in 2013, which she continues to lead since his passing.
She has toured, recorded and performed with a wide range of top-tier Canadian and American artists such as Billy Hart, Curtis Lundy, Billy Robinson, Juini Booth, Brandi Disterheft, Aura, Jackie Richardson, Alexis Baro, Pat LaBarbera, Henry Heillig, Shakura S’Aida, Kevin Turcotte, Chris Mitchell, Paul Novotny, Dave Young, Mike Malone, Colleen Allen, and Neil Swainson.
Her compostions and engaging performance connect to listeners and is a reflection of her uniqueness and maturity as a jazz artist.
Her latest solo recording “Rhythm, Hart & Soul” features her original compositions performed with New York based veteran musicians Billy Hart (Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock) on drums and Santi DeBriano (Cecil Taylor, Archie Shepp) on bass.
Her playing and compositions can also be found on the Kollage release “ No Fuss, No Muss” (G-THREE)
Mr Ken Jones – Piano
Ken Jones, co-founder of Ukulele Kids, has over 30 years of expertise teaching instrumental music and theory to both children and adults. As Head of Music at Earl Haig/Claude Watson School for the Arts in North York, Ontario, Canada, Ken led many award winning ensembles at Provincial and National competitions. As well, he composed and arranged music for over 65 software titles for elementary schools produced by Discis Knowledge Research. In addition to adjudicating for many provincial music festivals, Ken is also Music Director at Kilcoo Camp for boys in Minden, Ontario. He regularly performs both with his band and as a solo pianist on concert stages at many venues across the GTA including corporate events, private functions and clubs. As an ‘edu-tainer’ Ken shows students that learning to play an instrument is a fun and creative experience leading to a life enriching love of music.
Mr Anthony Pinachi – Piano
As achild Anthony studied the accordion in high school and while playing baritone sax he also started to play the piano.
From 1976 to 1980 he studied music in the Humber College Jazz program.
At the same time he studied at The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and eventually received his grade10 in classical piano.
From 1979 onward, Anthony has been playing extensively in the Toronto and Canadian Music scene-live and in the studio.
In the Jazz scene he has recorded many CD’s and toured canada playing numerous Jazz Festivals in Montreal, Toronto and Quebec City.
Anthony has played in such noted clubs: George’s Spaghetti House, Top of the Senator, East85th, The Colonial Tavern and Lytes at The Royal York.
On the pop scene, Anthony has played and recorded with: Shirley Eikard, Paul Christopher, Demo Cates, Cecil Frennette, Coconut Groove,
The Mercy Brother’s and local reggae band-Siren.
In 1986 Anthony toured Canada with classical guitarist Liona Boyd. in 1992 Anthony started his own recording studio, engineering and producing demo’s and CD’s.
Anthony is currently on the faculty at Humber College, teaching Jazz Piano, MIDI and Audio recording.
Anthony received the “Musician of the Year” in Mississauga in 1999.
Steve Farugua – Drums
Steve Farrugia is a Toronto born and raised professional drummer who has shared the stage with the top musicians in Toronto and outside the country as well. Some notable musicians Steve has had the pleasure to play with are Reg Schwager, Robi Botos, Adrean Farrugia, Ted Quinlan, Artie Roth, Bruce Cassidy, Bob Brough, Sophia Pearlman, George Koe ller and many others. Steve has performed at many great venues and festivals such as TD Jazz festival, Beaches Jazz festival, Shores of Erie music festival, Oakville Jazz festival and many more. Also performances at venues like The Rex, Gate 403, Club 744, Palais Royale and Casinos in Canada and the USA. Steve studied at Humber College Jazz studies program with great educators like Steve Tattersol, Don Vickery, Mark Kelso and Paul Delong. His studies have allowed him to play in many styles such as Jazz, Big Band Latin Orchestras, Rock and Top 40 bands.As well as many Theatre productions throughout the city. Steve is currently teaching drums and percussion at Arcadia School of Music.
