Live music entertainment by popular bands and talented musicians with proceeds donated to charities in the community.
GREAT SLAVE
(l to r) Tom Hardy, Rocco Macri, Gary Zawada, Alan Armitstead and Des Rolheiser.
John Ede
Lead vocalist
Gary Zawada
Drums
A perfect day for Gary Zawada consists of practising the drums by himself, visiting his son, interacting with people with positive energy, and jamming and connecting with his musician friends
Born and raised in Edmonton, Gary's uncle influenced him when he was just 5 years old; watching his uncle playing the drums made him begin to pursue drumming when he was 6 years old. And at age 14, Gary taught his uncle tricks instead. He loves progressive rock, his favourite song is 'Grand Finale' by Procol Haram. He would sit behind his drum set and play by himself, and also imagine playing with any artists he’d like to jam with, like Coliseum and Pink Floyd.
Gary drummed for Great Slave and also was in Mighty Adam's Kid, and he used to sing back vocals as well as his main gig drumming. Great Slave was a really popular band, and they were on tour mostly all year around. They played in cool cities and towns within North America, and Gary always strived to learn from every experience he has had. A reunion for Great Slave will be held in September this year, after a 45-year hiatus.
Gary would love to travel and play in Europe.
Stan Pietrusik
Keyboards
Known for his technical proficiency and skill with the keys, Stan enjoys playing in some of Edmonton’s best party rock bands, including Eagles Last Resort (an Eagle's tribute band,) plus The Electric Hillbillies, Tokyo Vogue, and Blackwater Jack.
Stan has worked with recording artist Eli Barsi and even appeared in the movie Fubar II.
Rocco Macri
Electric Guitar
In 1967, Rocco Macri began playing the guitar for various rock bands in Edmonton, Alberta.
1967-1968: The Night Walkers with Bob Ego (drums), Bruce Dagenhart (bass), Ken Boychuk (keys), Des Rolheiser (guitar) and Charles Waters (vocals).
1968-1969: Long Time Coming with Marshall Williams (vocals), Des Rolheiser (bass), Monty Paul (drums), Ken Boychuk (keys)
1969-1971: Great Slave with Alan Armitstead (keys), Des Rolheiser (bass), Gary Zawada (drums), Bruce Mayhew (guitar) and Tom Hardy (vocals)
2005- present: Celtic Fusion illusion at 10 piece fusion rock band known to play in festivals and venues such as Festival Place and The Winspear.
CFI (Celtic Fusion Illusion) is an Edmonton based "Celtic Rock" fusion band utilising bagpipes and rock instruments to create a unique and original blend.
A great memory for Rocco is "Playing to a full house at an Oiler's Home Opener."
Visit Celtic Fusion Illusion on Facebook
Des Rolheiser
Electric Bass Guitar
First band- Nite Walkers - 1966-1968 Bob Ego (drums) Bruce Degenhart (bass) Ken Boychuk (keys) Charlie waters (vocals) Rocco Macri (guitar)
Long Time Coming - 1968 - 1969 Marshall Williams (vocals) Rocco Macri (guitar) Monty Paul (drums) Ken Boychuk (keys)
Great Slave - 1969 - 1971 Al Armistead (keys) Rocco Macri (guitar) Alex Fishof (guitar) Gary Zawada (drums) Tom Hardy (vocals)
Big Shot - 1973 - 1975 - Ed Kilbride (vocals) Ron Mohr (drums) Dennis Meneely/Wayne Schneider (keys) Rocco Macri (guitar) Jessie Rolheiser (back up vocals) Wanda Feland (back up vocals)
Mason Dixon 1978 - 1981 - Al Armistead (vocals, keys) Jessie Rolheiser (vocals) Darryl Deslauriers (guitar) Ron Mohr (drums)
Percy Marshall
Guest with Great Slave at Play It Forward 2017
Guest with Tribute to Freeway at Play It Forward 2016
Guest with Big Shot at Play It Forward 2015
Some say that Percy Marshall was born with a guitar in his hands...Marshall has been playing since the age of 9 with his first gig at age 11.
He's the recipient of 2 ARIA (Alberta Recording Industry Association) awards, has played in over 20 Alberta bands and duos throughout Western Canada since the early 70's and has been a part of several local recordings since the 90's.
Percy Marshal has been a judge for many local 'Battle of the Bands' and is an adjudicator for 3 years running for the Edmonton, local leg, of the Memphis International Blues Competition.
The bands and musicians he has played with is like a who's who of Edmonton music legends from being a member of The Classics (formerly The Nomads), Celtic Fusion Illusion, Cold Feet and the original KitKats and the last rendition of Mel Degen and The Lordz. Percy Marshall is currently a member of Barry Allen and the New Rebels and The Lynne Chwyl Band.
Other bands of note are:
- AnyWonder (1990- released a CD and video - some play on Much Music).
- Out of the Blue (80's).
- original guitarist of Rusty Reed & the SouthSide Shuffle (1986).
- The Hootenannies
- Hidden Agenda (with Gord Steinke of Global TV) - released a CD
Shelley Simon
Back up vocals
Jessie Rolheiser
Back up vocals
Play it Forward 2018
THANK YOU!
- The Tsunami Brothers
- Great Slave
-
Gord Steinke with Train Wreck
proceeds to youth and children's programs more. . .