Bob (Buddy) Martin (aka Bob Ciamaga)
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Due to Covid 19 band performances and rehearsals are on hold
The very first act I remember backing up was at London's Western Fair. The performer was Vic Hyde and his act consisted of him playing some polka tune, complete with triple tonguing on three trumpets soldered together and played simultaneously. The conductor of the back-up band at the time was Martin Boundy . The band consisted of about 30 to 35 musicians --- two or three on a part. I remember the lead trumpet player who came with the show was from California. (Stan Bretz). He was a strong player and we all sounded like we were under water in comparison to his big, powerful, professional sound.
Hyde went from this three trumpet presentation to four bugles.. I have to add that the three trumpets and the four bugles were played in different pitches (harmony). Vic Hyde had worked out the Polka so that the center trumpet was utilized on open notes when harmonically required. It was a clever gimmick. He ended his show with Stardust on one trumpet, taking him to a high E flat.
Many years later, perhaps around the 80's, I met him again when I had a group playing the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto. I told him that he was the very first act I remembered playing and how old I was at the time.
That Western Fair job was my first professional show gig and paid a whopping $6.00 for the day. (which incidentally was the same amount for the yearly London Musicians dues at the time.)
I attended only one Union meeting when I joined at that young age. I remember that it was held in some Lodge Hall and I was almost gassed to death from all the cigar smoke (thanks to guys like Barney Venuta and others.). Horrors!!
Around 1972 Gary Morton and I (Bob Martin) started a Music School called Canadian Music Associates here in London. We offered private lessons on various instruments and more importantly offered a course in Big Band interpretation and performance. Our humble studios were rooms above a plumbing store on Wellington street (near Horton) and eventually we moved to a much larger facility on Wortley Road. Gary Morton in time left London and became assistant conductor of the R. C. M. P. Band in Ottawa. He was also their chief orchestrator. Many students benefited from this musical exposure and in time went on to make names for themselves in various musical settings.
As the students improved we were able to use many of them professionally e.g. playing the Grandstand backing entertainers at London's Western Fair, Ice Capades, Theatre London and performances at special events including High School Concerts. Many of the alumni eventually left town and ended up in Toronto working with renowned Canadian artists.
Dave Dunlop, a premier trumpet player, ended up with Rob McConnell's Boss Brass. Doug Keenan, trumpet player, still resides in London and still writes arrangements for various bands and does supper club engagements. Peter Hysen, trombone player, has also expanded his musical talents and writes for artists that are featured with symphonies across Canada. He still plays professionally and is a frequent addition at Stratford (Avon Theatre). Dennis Collier, who now resides in Saudi Arabia, was also a Berklee School of Music grad in Boston. Renowned trumpet recording artist Bill Chase considered Dennis a valuable section player when they both studied at Berklee. When Blood Sweat and Tears came to the Western Fair one year - they asked about "Manitoba Fats" ..they were asking about Dennis Collier .
Joe Bendzsa, drummer eventually played with Canada's Swingin' Shepherd, Moe Koffman, in Toronto. Simon Wallis became a prominent baritone sax player with many top bands in Toronto. As it turned out, many C. M. A. students became "mover's and shakers" in their own right and some still have quality bands of their own here in London to this day. Steve Buck and Ken Stewart became impressarios in Munich, Germany and handled the bookings of Broadway shows throughout Europe e.g. "CATS." Other students ventured into other professions, Law, Medicine and one became a Minister .
The history of music in London and area dating from the Lombardo era.. (professor Venuta 1920's) to the present, was artistically impressive. I was fortunate to be a part of this history and exposure. (Neil Mc Kay Orchestra and many others) as Bob Ciamaga. (See Neil McKay page.)
Those were exciting times. Club work, Hotels, Big Bands, Concert Bands, the London Symphony, Chamber groups, Radio broadcasts, Park Concerts, Jazz groups, Theatres, trade shows, special events, Ice Capades, Local fairs, Stratford's Shakespearean Festival Theatre, Pavilions e.g. Stork Club in Port Stanley, Lakeview Casino in Grand Bend and many beach resorts along Lake Huron and Lake Erie. In those days one had many opportunities to be part of this vast musical scene.
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