Mo Sayk, plays one of the most distinctive and diversified music to come out of the Ottawa music scene of late.
Mo Sayk combines the strengths and abilities of a gamut of musical backgrounds. Rooted in serving the music and coming out of the closet of easy listening, Mo Sayk is not afraid to be who they are and play what they like. Featuring a mixture of jazz, R&B and popular music from the 30s to the present, Mo Sayk provides ambient well performed entertainment for any crowd of people who aren't afraid to admit that they like music that "soothes the savage breast".
Trina Langthorne
Vocals
The Early Years: Started singing professionally at the age of 12, studied acting and singing and fled the musical theatre scene by joining a rock group, later joined a jazz group and then started teaching voice.
Musical influences: My early influences were CCR, James Taylor, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, all Motown, and David Bowie. At present, Ella Fitzgerald, Crowded House,Remy Shand, Simply Red, Gnarls Barkley
Something of Interest That People May Not Know About Me: I can type with my nose.
Pet Peeve/ What Irritates You the Most: Honda drivers ( learn to shift people), people who assume you're stupid because of the car you drive.
Obscure Band or Album That You Wish More People Knew About: Leonard Nimoys Greatest hits.
Angie McIvor
Saxophone
The Early Years:
Musical influences:
Something of Interest That People May Not Know About Me:
Pet Peeve/ What Irritates You the Most:
Obscure Band or Album That You Wish More People Knew About:
Gear:
Saxophones:
Chito Salazar
Guitar
The Early Years: I used to sing-along to Nat King Cole's "Around The World" when I was two. Started learning how to play guitar when I was 12 after doing piano lessons for 7 years. My teenage years were spent playing guitar and then girls came along so... but that's for another story.
Musical Influences : I was a big fan of the rock guitar players of the 70s, Duane Allman, Peter Green, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Carlos Santana, Peter Townsend and pretty much anyone who plays jazz guitar, well okay, I admit I'm a big Metheny fan.
Something of Interest That People May Not Know About Me: I have a beautiful granddaughter, 3 pretty daughters and a wonderful and great looking wife!
Pet Peeve/ What Irritates You the Most: Flakey musicians, people who don't know how to drive, guitar collectors specially those who can't play music and people who don't know how to drive, didn't I just say that?
Obscure Band or Album That You Wish More People Knew About: Black Magic Woman by Fleetwood Mac. Not very many know that Black Magic Woman was composed by Peter Green of the original Fleetwood Mac. The album was released in 1971, and is a compilation of 2 Peter Green albums of that era.
Gear:
Guitars : Prestige NYS Standard, Godin 5th Ave Kingpin, Ibanez PM35NT Pat Metheny Signature Model, Ibanez Artstar AS120
Amps : Fender 65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue, Polytone Mini Brute IV, Fender The Twin, Peavey Classic 30 with Traynor YCX212 Cab, Traynor YCV50 Blue with the 112 Ext Cab, Blackheart Little Giant BH5H/Killer Ant BH1H with Avatar 1x12 Traditional
Ryan Day
Keyboards
The Early Years: Started playing the piano at age 7 or so, took music classes in school all the way through to university. Didn't learn there was a way to play the piano without having it written down until late in high school, and I'm still just getting my head around it.
Musical Influences : Surprisingly, a lot of classical music. I enjoy looking at the technical side of music, and seeing how it's actually all connected. More recently, perhaps, Ray Charles.
Something of Interest That People May Not Know About Me: I really don't like cats.
Pet Peeve/ What Irritates You the Most: That annoying rubbery glue stuff at the top of note pads after you've ripped most of the pages off.
Obscure Band or Album That You Wish More People Knew About: Anything by Glenn Gould, as unfortunately his albums are becoming obscure.
Gear:
Keyboards : Alesis QS7.1 synth, or any old piano laying around.
Steve McKenna
Bass
The Early Years:Played bass and/or guitar in a few high school bands and revue shows. After that I joined a band playing bass full time toured across most of Canada and bits of the US with various bands and have recorded and produced a number of albums.
Musical Influences : A variety that includes rock, jazz, folk, country, classical and noises of the world. If it moves my soul, I’m good with that.
Something of Interest That People May Not Know About Me: I played on Canada’s first digitally recorded album (band: True Myth) in 1979. The whole album was done in four days live off the floor.
Pet Peeve/ What Irritates You the Most: I’m trying to mellow out and not let much bug me these days but if I had to pick one thing, local politics is right up there.
Obscure Band or Album That You Wish More People Knew About: It depends on my mood and which the direction the wind is blowing.
Gear:
Bass Guitar : Ernie Ball Music Man Spectre electric bass
Acoustic double bass: “Amazing” fretless bass with nylon strings
Bass Amps : a couple of Peavey amps
Effects : Alembic pre-amp
Élage
Percussion
The Early Years: : I come from a “Griot” family and drumming was part of our life. As a young boy i was exposed to it all the time and the rest is history.
Musical influences: Youssou Ndour, Steve Wonder, BB King, Africando, Xalam
Something of Interest That People May Not Know About Me: I love to cook.
Pet Peeve/ What Irritates You the Most: Injustice
Obscure Band or Album That You Wish More People Knew About: Asley Maher
Gear:
Drums: Mbunkhe-Mbunkhe, Nder, Lambe, Thieule, Goronkhe, Djémbé and the Talking Drum (Tama)
Andy Clapson
Drums
The Early Years: : I started in music at about 10 years old, playing trumpet with the school band and drums at home. I abandoned trumpet in high school, but continued to play drums up until the present day. I played in various bands - most of them back home in Saskatoon, SK, where I grew up - starting with rock and punk, followed by a jazz/fusion group and with some other miscellaneous projects along the way.
Musical influences: Tom Waits, Lou Reed, Bob Dylan, James Brown, The Roots, Les Colocs, The Clash, Billy Bragg, The Pogues, The Black Keys, Kaleidoscope, Buck 65, Art Ensemble of Chicago, The Jazz Passengers, The Blasters, etc.
Something of Interest That People May Not Know About Me: I ride my bike in the winter.
Pet Peeve/ What Irritates You the Most: Pretentious musicians
Obscure Band or Album That You Wish More People Knew About: Miles Davis' album: "A Tribute to Jack Johnson" or "Les Stances à Sophie" by Art Ensemble of Chicago
Gear:
Drums: Gretsch Catalina Club Jazz, Sabian Cymbals, Regal Tip Sticks and Brushes, and whatever happens to handy and/or affordable
