CELEBRATING THE MUSIC OF CHICAGO! WEST COAST CHICAGO
A Celebration of the Music of Chicago
Formed in 1967, Chicago Transit Authority recorded their first album in 1968 before shortening their name to Chicago. Their famous self-description as simply “a rock and roll band with horns” simplified what was actually a remarkable fusion of classical, jazz, R & B, and pop music.
The only musical act to name each album with a successive number starting with Chicago 3, (Chicago Transit Authority was #1, Chicago was #2). Chicago has sold over 100 million of them and remains to this day within the Top Ten of all artists of all time in terms of album sales.
In 1971 Chicago became the first contemporary musical act to sell out Carnegie Hall for an entire week. In the US alone, Chicago has been honored with 23 gold, 18 platinum, and 8 multi-platinum albums. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.
Among their 21 Top-Ten singles are Questions 67 & 68, Beginnings, Make Me Smile, 25 or 6 to 4, Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?, I’m a Man, Saturday in the Park, Dialogue, Feelin’ Stronger Everyday, If You Leave Me Now, Hard to Say I'm Sorry just to name a few.
West Coast Chicago is a group of musicians who share a mutual admiration of Chicago. Each player is dedicated to recreating the sound, energy, and intensity of every song musically and vocally. Within their repertoire, you’ll find hit after hit, and Chicago has a dizzying number of them.
On a screen behind the band, you will see the name of each song, its highest chart position, and when that occurred, along with a picture of the album it was culled from. Also within their multimedia presentation, you will see some delightful visuals they have created for your added enjoyment, including pictures of the original band, way back when, and even lyrics of some of their most touching songs.
West Coast Chicago will appeal to all ages, and especially to those who were listening to the radio and buying Chicago albums during their peak years in the ’70s and '80s. Indeed, West Coast Chicago truly is
“A Celebration Of The Music Of Chicago”
Vocal Line Up
singing the Chicago songs made famous by Robert Lamm, Terry Kath, and Peter Cetera
Paul Clarke
keyboards, vocals
When Chicago came onto the world stage, Paul fell in love with the jazz-rock phenomena. In West Coast Chicago he gets to bring Robert Lamm’s keyboard parts to life. Throughout his career, Paul has been a keyboardist and vocalist in rock, progressive and country-rock bands performing both covers and originals.
Mon Gonzales
lead guitar, vocals
Mon’s musical journey includes playing at countless club venues, outdoor festivals across BC and Alberta. Mon also did stints as a session player and studio musician.
In the early days, Mon, Paul Clarke, and Mike Crean played the circuit in the ’70s with the bands Shadowfax and Portrait. The lifelong friends are together again playing Chicago's greatest hits with West Coast Chicago!
Scott Driscoll
lead vocals, guitar, percussion
When Chicago formed in ‘67 Scott was beginning school. By the release of their Greatest Hits album, he got his first acoustic guitar. He learned “Wishing You Were Here” on the end of his bed. He never dreamt he would someday perform Chicago music on stage. In 2017 that dream came true.
Horn Section
replicating the sounds of James Pankow, Lee Loughnane, Walter Parazaider
Greg Farrugia
trombone, percussion
Greg was trained as a classical trombone player but is at home playing in most music idioms. He has performed with orchestras, show bands, jazz ensembles and modern music groups in Ontario and British Columbia, has toured Europe as a soloist, and has shared the stage with international stars including Barbra Streisand, Michael Bublé, and the Temptations.
Garth Balint
trumpet, flugelhorn, percussion
A lifetime aficionado of great horn bands, Garth brings a wealth of experience to West Coast Chicago. He's played trumpet and flugelhorn in military bands, chamber music groups, symphony orchestra, jazz bands, musical theatre and several R&B bands. Garth is particularly fond of the complex music of Chicago.
Bryan Vance
saxophone, flute, percussion
Bryan has a Master’s degree in saxophone and has performed on saxophone, flute and clarinet in Canada, the USA, Europe and Asia in all styles of music from Rock, to Musical Theatre and Classical. He has shared the stage with notable musicians such as PJ Perry, Doc Serverinsen and the Temptations.
Rhythm Section
the rhythmic energy that drives the feel and groove
Mike Crean
drums
Mike has been playing on the Vancouver scene for many years with such bands as Shadowfax, Portrait, and Redline. He also has played on numerous original recording projects.
Mike first played with Paul in high school and played some Chicago songs sharing Paul's dream of someday playing in a tribute to one of the most iconic rock bands of all time.
Graham Clark
bass
A graduate of McGill University with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance, Graham has been playing professionally since the age of 14. A well rounded musician, he plays both electric bass and double bass in Top 40 bands, big bands, small group jazz, musical theatre and symphony orchestras. With it's combination of high powered horns and hard hitting rhythm section Graham really enjoys playing the music of Chicago.