We welcome four-string banjo players at all levels to try out. Lead players normally pluck the melody single-string. Chord (or rhythm) players need to know basic chord patterns for starters. A conducted group; free-style reserved for solos. The TBB would assist you in obtaining a tutor if requested.

Alternate Mondays, 7-10 p.m., Immaculate Conception School, 500 Aberdeen Ave., Woodbridge, Ontario, L4L 5J4.

Rehearsals are in the Teachers Room. Directions as follows: when you enter the school through the street-side door by the south parking lot (the one we have always used). Make a right turn into the hall. Take the hall about thirty feet (at the most) and the teacher's room is on your left hand side. Bring music stands as they are not provided in the teachers' room.

2011

September 19 and 26, October 17 and 31, November 14 and 28, and December 5 (December 12 practice cancelled)

2012

January 9 and 23, February 6 and 27, March 5 and 19, April 2, 16, and 30, May 14 and 28, and June 4 or 11 (gig on June 9?).

 

NOTE: Practice dates are subject to change based on future gig dates and weather related cancellations ... Dave Robinson, Secretary.

Also, in the event of having to cancel either a practice or a gig, members will be notified by 10:00 am on the day of the event.


2011 - Shows & Activities

More information on the Show Details Page .

Saturday, January 15, 2011: The Westbury Long Term Care Residence, 495 The West Mall, Etobicoke. One set for one hour. 3 pm to 4 pm.

Saturday, February 19, 2011: Highway Terraces, Valentine Party. Rexdale Presbyterian Church, 2314 Islington Ave., Etobicoke. Two (2) sets from 7:30 pm until 9:10 pm.

Sunday, February 20, 2011: Sunnybrook Veterans Show, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (a.k.a., Sunnybrook Hospital), 2075 Bayview Avenue. In the: K Wing. Show times: 2:00 through 4:00 pm. Two sets with one 15 minute break.

Saturday, March 12, 2011: 89th Surprise Birthday Party. Please Note: This is a Private Event. Redcrest Cardinal Golf Club (Note: affiliated with the Cardinal Golf Club), 17700 Keele Street, Newmarket, Ontario. Time: The event is from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Multiple sets during party.

Saturday, March 26, 2011: The Dunfield Retirement Residence, 77 Dunfield Ave, Toronto. One set at 3 pm. One to one and a quarter hours.

Thursday, April 28 through Saturday, April 30, 2011: North American International Banjo Convention, Dearborn, Michigan at the Double Tree Hotel. The Toronto Banjo Band will be taking part again this year. Winter uniforms in case you bandsfolk were wondering.

Sunday, May 29, 2011: Special Ladies Luncheon, Rameses Shriners Centre, 3100 Keele St., North York. Details to be confirmed: Start time, likely between noon and 1 pm; Number of Sets: One (to be confirmed), Length of Set: One hour (to be confirmed).

Saturday, June 11, 2011: Yonge Lawrence BIA - Village Day Street Festival, Toronto. Our play time will be from 11:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m. with three (3) sets.

Sunday, July 10, 2011: Sunnybrook Hospital, Veterans Barbeque, Toronto. Start Time: Our play time will be from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Saturday, October 1, 2011: Markham Fair. At the fairgrounds in Markham, in the Entertainment Tent on Horse Drive. Scheduled for a set at 3:00 pm, and another at 4:30 pm. BACK TO WINTER UNIFORMS.

Sunday, October 9, 2011: Evergreen (was Origin Evergreen but now new ownership and name change), 820 Scollard Court, Mississauga, Ont. One set 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011: Leisureworld - O'Connor Court, Festival of Lights, 1800 O'Connor Dr., East York. Time: 6:30 pm,two sets of one half hour each (total playing time approx. one hour).

Monday, November 28, 2011: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church RECORDING SESSION , 13190 Keele St., King City, Ontario. Time: start recording at 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011: Barton Retirement Residence, 17290 Leslie St., Newmarket, Ontario. Time: 2:00 p.m. Sets and Length: One set of One hour (or a bit longer if requested).

Friday, December 30, 2011: Evergreen Retirement Community, 820 Scollard Court, Mississauga, Ont. One set: 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

2012 - Shows & Activities

Saturday, January 28, 2012: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Special Show, 13190 Keele St., King City, Ontario. Time: at 7:30 p.m. Two sets of approximately forty-five minutes each.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012: The Dunfield Retirement Residence, 77 Dunfield Ave, Toronto. Time: One set at 7:30 p.m. Length of set: one to one and a quarter hours.

Saturday, February 11, 2012: Highway Terraces, Rexdale Presbyterian Church, 2314 Islington Ave., Etobicoke, Ontario, M9W 5W9. Two Sets: 7:00 to 7:50 p.m. - 8:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Sunday, February 19, 2012: Sunnybrook Hospital, 2075 Bayview Ave., Toronto. In the 'K' Wing - Main Auditorium. Time: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. 2 Sets.

Thursday, April 26 through Saturday, April 28, 2012: North American International Banjo Convention, Dearborn, Michigan at the Double Tree Hotel.

Thursday, June 7, 2012: Hollandview Trail Retirement Community, Evening Entertainment, 200 John West Way, Aurora, Ontario. Time: 7:00 p.m. start time, one set (1 to 1 1/4 hours).

 

 

Dunfield Retirement Residence, Toronto, Ontario

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

The Toronto Banjo Band returned to the Dunfield Retirement Residence in Toronto. We had played there last March. A very appreciative audience with all kinds of nice things to say about the show afterwards. Our Bill Wrigley seems to be a fixture at this place with his lectures and singalongs. Everyone knows him. Photos below supplied through Bill Wrigley and by Al Pounsett.

 

Left: The room. Centre: Sally relaxing before the show. Right: Dennis, Grace, Bob, and Tom preparing.

The Band.

Left: Jim and Bob. Centre: Bob and Bill Wrigley. Right: Our guest soloist.

Left: Bill Wrigley and his Dunfield friends. Right: Glen after the show.

 

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, King City, Ontario

Saturday, January 28, 2012

We provided the entertainment at a Missions and Outreach Fundraiser at St. Andrew's Presbyterian in King City. We were introduced by Rev. Chris Carter who was moved to include a few really unnecessary banjo jokes that he had found on the Internet. The band took it all graciously. It was a snowy and stormy day in Ontario, but there was a fine turnout to hear us play. A few of the bandmembers didn't make it to King City due to the driving conditions. Refreshments for all after the show. Photos by Betty Pounsett.

Left: The sanctuary at St. Andrew's. Right: Our introduction.

Left: Director Jim and the band. Right: End of the show.

Tom quietly playing some lonely Scottish lament prior to the show.

 

Evergreen Retirement, Mississauga, Ontario

Friday, December 30, 2011

Another good time at the Evergreen Retirement Community in Mississauga. At Jim Groulx's invitation, fine singers from the audience stepped up to the microphone and sang along with the band. Thank you ladies! Fog, drizzle and freezing rain made the drive to Mississauga interesting, but the warm audience made up for it. No photos unfortunately.

 

Barton Retirement Residence, Newmarket, Ontario

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Our first time at the Barton Retirement Residence in Newmarket. The audience enjoyed the band, and even let us run a little overtime. Hot apple cider and cookies were provided after the show. This was much appreciated by those of us with a long return drive home. Photos below by Dave Robinson and Jim Hindorff.

Left: Barton Residence setting. Right: Our audience.

Left: Jim, Glen and Sally. Right: Al and his new friend at the Barton Residence.

 

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, King City, Ontario

Recording Session

Monday, November 28, 2011

Our initial recording session for our 3rd CD was held at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in King City. Thanks to Rev. Chris Carter and the church leadership for allowing us to use their facility. This was an all day session with lunch provided by the band. Photos supplied by Jim Hindorff.

Left: Startup chaos. Right: Bob W. and Sally.

Two pictures of Bob G. with various band members.

Left: Pizza lunch. Right: Jim G. at the controls, Tom monitoring.

The band in the St. Andrew's, King City, sanctuary.

 

Leisureworld, O'Connor Court, Toronto, Ontario

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

A return engagement to the Leisureworld caregiving centre on O'Connor in Toronto for their Festival of Lights. Once the countdown to the Christmas lights being turned on in the courtyard was complete, our banjo band entertained a lively audience. A special thanks to those that sang with the band, great stuff. Some photos by Al Pounsett below.

Left: The Green Room. Centre: Audience takes their places. Right: Post show teardown.

 

Evergreen Retirement, Mississauga, Ontario

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Another good band turnout for the Evergreen Retirement show even though it was Thanksgiving Weekend in Canada. A great audience which makes banjo playing all the more fun. Photos supplied by Al Pounsett, Glen Midgley and John Heninger.

The TBB setting up at the Evergreen Retirement residence.

Left: Sheila, Glen, Sally, Al, Bob and Bill W. Right: Dave, Grace, John H., John B., Bob W., Bruno.

Left: Jim G., and Tom. Centre: Sheila. Right: Tom.

Left: Bob W., Al, Carl. Centre: Bob W., Glen, Carl, & Sally. Right: Carl, Earl and Bruno.

Left: Bill C., and Bill W. Right: Banjo Bob.

Toronto Banjo Band.

Toronto Banjo Band.

 

Markham Fair, Markham, Ontario

Saturday, October 1, 2011

The TBB played their annual two half hour sets at the Markham Fair again this year. This is always a favourite gig for the members, and once again we had a very large turnout of strummers and pickers taking part. Jerry Fisher's granddaughter sang Skinnamarink with the band and stole the show.

 

Sunnybrook Hospital, Veterans Barbeque, Toronto, Ontario

Sunday, July 10, 2011

A group of GTA area Royal Canadian Legions puts on an annual BBQ for the veterans staying at Sunnybrook Hospital. The band was honoured to be invited to play at this event. The location was on the hospital grounds adjacent to the veterans' wing and to Sunnybrook Park. We were treated to lunch along with the veterans. In addition to our two sets, we were asked to play a couple of requests from our old WWII numbers. Photos supplied by Al Pounsett and John Heninger.

The scene at Sunnybrook's K Wing BBQ.

A couple of pictures of the band setting up among the veterans and smoking BBQs.
The TBB's red and white uniforms fitted right in with the Royal Canadian Legion red shirts honouring the veterans and the military.

Left: The BBQ's MC with leader Jim. Right: Jim and the band.

Left: Sheila, Dave, Jim H., Sally, Dennis, John, and Al. Right: Bill W., Al, Patrick, Bill C. and Grace.

Left: Dave, Sally, Jim H., Al, John, Grace, Bill W., Bob W., Patrick, Bill C. Right: President Glen doing a little band wrangling.

 

The Yonge-Lawrence BIA Village Days, Toronto, Ontario

Saturday, June 11, 2011

The band was invited to play again at the Yonge-Lawrence BIA Village Days, a sidewalk affair with clowns, bands, hot dogs, hamburgers, and so on. Even though we had to duck for cover during a few rain showers, lots of passers-by stopped to enjoy the banjo music when they were over. We had a new location beside the ScotiaBank just north of Lawrence Avenue with much more room and better acoustics than at our previous location. Photos supplied by Al Pounsett, Glen Midgley and John Heninger.

Left: Dave, John H., John B., Grace and Dennis. Right: Andy's first gig with the TBB.

Left: Bill W., John B., Grace, and Glen. Right: John H., Sheila, Jim and Bob A.

Left: Al. Centre: Bob W., Carl, Jerry, Dennis, Glen, Andy, Sally and Grace. Right: John B., and Grace.

Band backs up cute new singer with candy floss mic.

Three shots of the band on the Yonge Street sidewalk.

A couple more shots of the Toronto Banjo Band on Yonge Street north.

Left: Bob W., the band, Jim and our mobile audience. Centre. More of our Yonge Street audience. Right. Sheila on bass in Tuba Tom's absence (playing up the street).

 

The TBB's 25th Anniversary Party, at the Redcrest Cardinal Golf Club, Newmarket, Ontario

Sunday, May 15, 2011

The Toronto Banjo Band celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a dinner and jam session at the Redcrest Cardinal Golf Club in Newmarket, northwest of the city. The TBB party planners (Carl Finkle, Bill Wrigley with Glen Midgley) picked a great spot as we all enjoyed the lovely room, the golf course panorama outside, and fine catering by the club staff. Tim Allan. Jamie MacPherson and Mel Collie, founding members of the band, sat in with the jamming and entertained us with their fine banjo work from time to time. In addition to Tim, Jamie and Mel, the other founding members at the party who continue to be active in the band were our director, Jim Groulx, Bob Armstrong and Glen Midgley. There was a near full turnout of old and new members along with their spouses and friends. Photos supplied by Dave Robinson, Jim Groulx, Glen Midgley and John Heninger.

The 25th Anniversary Cake..

The attendees.

Left: Tim Allan at the mic. Right: Jim Groulx, Tom Elliott and Dennis Meyers.

Left: Spouses and friends.Centre: Tim Allan and Jamie MacPherson duo. Right: Valerie Meyers with husband Dennis and Carl Finkle behind.

Left: The Party scene. Right: Jerry Fisher, Dave Robinson, Jean Jolliffe, Earl Craddock, Bob Armstong and others jamming.

Left: John Parker, Sally Carroll, Doris Potter, Henry Curtis, and Bill Chisholm. Centre: Steve and Julie Nikifork. Right: Anniversary dinner.

Left: Carl Finkle, Al and Betty Pounsett and Bill Wrigley. Centre: Beth and Dave Robinson. Right: Jamie MacPherson and Tim Allan playing each others banjoes.

Left: Jamie MacPherson, Tim Allan and Mel Collie. Centre: Tim Allan. Right: Mel Collie, Bob Walton, and Jamie MacPherson.

Left: Bruce Manning and Jerry Fisher. Centre: Doris Potter. Right: Bill Chisholm, Patrick Longhurst, Carolyn Curtis, George Linton, and Bob Graham.

Left: Jim Hindorff, Glen Midgley and Sally Carroll. Centre: Glen Midgley and Phyllis King. Right: Sally Carroll and friend John Parker.

Left: Earl Craddock, John Heninger, and Jamie and Joy MacPherson. Centre: Phyllis King and Beth Robinson. Right: George Linton..

Left: Bob Armstrong and Tom Elliott. Centre: Jim Groulx, Anne Graham, and Bill Chisholm. Right: Sheila Dickinson and Mireille Elliott.

Left: Jean Jolliffe and Sally Carroll. Centre: Patrick Longhurst and Carolyn Curtis. Right: Steve Nikifork and Grace Longfield.

Bill Wrigley, John Heninger, Jim Hindorff, Glen Midgley, Sally Carroll, and Dennis Meyers.

Left to Right: Bob Armstrong, Jim Groulx, Glen Midgley, Jim Groulx, Jamie MacPherson, Doris Potter, Sheila Dickinson, and Glen Midgley's welcome message..

Left to Right. Tim Allan, Jamie MacPherson, Bob Armstrong, Bob Armstrong, Mel Collie, and Mel Collie with amused onlookers.

Left to Right: Jamie MacPherson, Tim Allan, Jim Groulx, and Earl Craddock.

Jamie MacPherson, Doris Potter, Sheila Dickinson, and Bob Armstrong.

 

North American International Banjo Convention, Dearborn, Michigan

Thursday - Saturday, April 28 - 30, 2011

We played at the NAIBC in Dearborn again this year. Fourteen bandmembers made the drive up Highway 401 to this annual event in the Detroit area. This reborn GLIB convention hasn't missed a beat with lots of fine banjo players, interesting workshops, busy jam sessions, and plenty of pricey banjos to covet in the showroom. Photos below by Bill Chisholm, Dave Robinson (with assistance from Kitty Murphy) and Al Pounsett.

The band playing at the Saturday evening concert.

Left: Leader Jim points to a problem area within the band. Right: Glen takes impromtu solo to surprise of Leader Jim.

Left: Bunny hats worn for Easter Parade number. Right: Sally, Jean and Grace out of uniform.

Left: Banjo Busters with Bill Stewart and Sally. Right. Cameo Trio with Bill Stewart, Jim and Tom.

Left: Mel Collie and Steve Penny. Right: Buddy Wachter and Max Longfield.

Left: Toronto Strummers. Right: Sally, Al and Glen.

Toronto Strummers: Paul Stirling (Flint Banjo Band), Bob and Dave.

 

Dunfield Retirement Residence, Toronto, Ontario

Saturday, March 26, 2011

The Toronto Banjo Band entertained at the Dunfield Retirement Residence in north Toronto. Reports indicate that the show was very well received by our audience. Photos below supplied through Bill Wrigley.

Left: The Toronto Banjo Band at the Dunfield. Right: Leader Jim.

Left: Carl, Grace, Tom and Bob G. Right: Jim H., Dennis, and Bill W.

Left: Glen and Bill W. Right: Jim H., Dennis, Jerry, Bill W., Bob W., and John.

Glen and the Wrigleys.

 

Surprise Birthday Party at the Redcrest Cardinal Golf Club, Newmarket, Ontario

Saturday, March 12, 2011

We were invited to play at a birthday party held at the Redcrest Cardinal Golf Club clubhouse on Keele Street in west Newmarket. Great spot for a party. The whole clubhouse was booked and the party was held in the main floor lounge and bar area ... a large comfortable room with a view of the links. The band was generously treated to sandwiches and liquid refreshments at our break. Photos taken by Tom Elliott.

Left: Jim G.and Bill W. Right: Carl, Earl, John, Bill C., and Bruno.

Left: Jim H. Sally, Dennis, Carl, Al, John, Earl, and Bill C. Right: Dave, Jim H., Sheila, and Dennis.

Left: Our leader, Jim Groulx. Right: Our Tubist, Tom Elliott.

Sheila, Dave, Glen, Jim H., Sally, Dennis and Carl.

 

Westbury Long Term Care Residence, Etobicoke, Ontario

Saturday, January 15, 2011

The band played at the Westbury Long Term Care Residence in Etobicoke. We had a fine turnout of members, and everyone seemed to have a good time. We even had some relatives in the audience. A special thanks to the band members who brought extra chairs for the show as we needed armless chairs for the banjo playing. Thanks for your trouble. Pictures supplied by Glen Midgley and Al Pounsett.

Left: Setting up the bandstand while the early bird audience looks on. Right: Bruno and Dave ready to start.

Leader Jim overseeing the arrangements.

Left: Glen with his aunt. Right: Tom, Bob, Bill, Bruno, Patrick, Dave, Jim, and Sally.

Jim, Grace, John, Patrick, Bill, Sally, Al, Dennis and Bob.

 

~ ~ ~

N.B. Items on this site are presented as a courtesy only and change often. If other groups/acts are shown, please contact them for further information.

Webmaster, Al Pounsett

 

Dave Robinson sings I'm Confessin' That I Love You at the Sunnybrook Hospital Veterans' BBQ - , video shot by band-member, John Heninger.

The TBB's Bob Armstrong and Earl Craddock play Sweet Georgia Brown, video shot by Bruce Manning, former Webmaster.

Tim Allan - William Tell Overture

Maurice Bolyer Tribute - Playing a Tenor

Ken Aoki is Waiting for the Sunrise with a Plectrum

Banjo Uke - Formby Plays for The Lads