While growing up in Espanola, Ontario, Ron Marenger played various musical instruments. He finally decided to teach himself to play the saxophone and read music. He formed his first band in 1959. Ron's career took him to Montreal and Toronto where he continued to form and lead Big Bands. Ron's band played for dances, concerts and other events at many notable venues in the Toronto area such as The Old Mill, Harbourfront, Summer Music Series in Kew Gardens, etc. Ron was in the midst of arranging a cruise for 2008 when he succumbed to cancer and passed away in February 2007. The Ron Marenger Big Band continues and is a testament to Ron's ability to bring together a group of people, to choose players and personalities and make it work. The band is Ron's legacy. He left something wonderful for all of us - players, dancers and music lovers alike. This band performs swing music from the 1930's, 40's and 50's in the style of Glen Miller, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Neil Hefti, etc. The band's instrumentation is 5 saxophones, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, piano, bass, drums and guitar.

Ron Marenger Big Band

The music of the Ragweed Jazz Band is for listening, dancing, tapping toes, ordering up another beer, and for remembering the golden years of jazz - the 30's and 40's - when people like Bix Beiderbecke, Louis Armstrong, Muggsy Spanier, Jack Teagarden, Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman were setting the tempo for an era. For many years the band has happily played for its local fans, but more recently has found enthusiastic acceptance farther afield with appearances in the Orillia Jazz Festival, Simcoe County Jazz Society, London Jazz Society, Jazz FM 91.1 Summer Series, Du Maurier Jazz Festival, Beaches Jazz Festival, the International Ragtime Jazztime Festival in the United States, the Canadian Big Band Festival and Jazzmania. the Hot Steamed Jazz Festival in Essex, Connecticut USA, the Earlyjaz Fall Festival in Strongsville Ohio USA and frequent appearances at the Chick'n' Deli.

Ragweed Jazz Band

Toronto-born jazz bassist Artie Roth has been an active composer, bandleader, performer and educator in the national and international jazz communities, since his graduation from York University in 1992 with the Oscar Peterson Scholarship. After two Canada Council sponsored study tenures in New York City (1993 and 1997), Artie returned to Toronto establishing himself as one of the busiest, full-time composer/performers in Toronto. As well as leading his own group, Artie is also an active member of The Rich Underhill Group, The Bob Brough Quartet and Kollage.

Artie Roth Quartet

Hungarian born Botos (pianist, composer) was raised in a musical family and largely self taught. His dynamic performances have earned him international recognition – winning competitions in Montreux, Paris and Jacksonville’s, Florida’s Great American piano competition in 2008. A t the National Jazz Awards in 2007 he was chosen Keyboardist of the Year and was nominated for a Juno award for “One Take” in 2006. A member of Archie Alleyne’s bebop ensemble “Kollage” and a respected and sought after sideman, Botos also performs frequently with his brother, drummer Frank Botos in a trio setting.

Robi Botos

This ensemble comes from the swinging side of Rhythm & Blues - the music that gave birth to Rock and Roll. The band's repertoire is a blend of Blues, Jazz, Jump, Gospel, Swing, Soul and early Rhythm & Blues classics. This very danceable variety of music would have been featured in the big city club scene of only the very hip from the 1940's thru mid 1960's. The Channel Cats feature the music of: Percy Sledge - Sam Cooke - Ray Charles - Bessie Smith - Nina Simone - Otis Redding - Eddie Floyd - James Brown - Wilson Pickett - Etta James... and many other classic performers.

Bridget Foley and The Channel Cats