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A celebration of the music of chicago

CHICAGO

WEST COAST CHICAGO

WEST COAST 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 to name a few.

WEST COAST CHICAGO

WEST COAST CHICAGO

WEST COAST CHICAGO

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 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 multi-media 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 radio and buying Chicago albums during their peak years in the 70’s and 80’s.


Indeed, West Coast Chicago truly is “A Celebration Of The Music Of Chicago” 

the band

Vocal Line Up

singing the Chicago songs made famous by Robert Lamm, Terry Kath, and Peter Cetera

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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.

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Mon Gonzales

lead guitar, vocals

At age 10, Mon’s dad encouraged him to take jazz guitar lessons. He wasn’t overly excited about it because he just wanted to rock! Mon has performed in several bands including Shadowfax and Portrait playing the circuit in the 70’s with Paul Clarke and Mike Crean.  Full circle - the lifelong friends, Mon, Mike, and Paul are now playing rock and jazz music by one of their favourite bands ~ Chicago!

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Scott Driscoll

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

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Greg Farrugia

trombone, percussion, horn arranger

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. 

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

Social

videos

West Coast Chicago

Photo Gallery

Promo Kit

WEST COAST CHICAGO - EPK

Download EPK PDF

WEST COAST CHICAGO - PROMO POSTER

Download Poster PDF

WEST COAST CHICAGO - Promo Pic

Download Promo Pic PDF

WEST COAST CHICAGO - LOGO

Download WEST COAST CHICAGO Logo PDF

WEST COAST CHICAGO - Stage Plot

Download Stage Plot PDF

Contact Us

CONTACT: Barry Samuels

Do you have questions, want to book a show, or collaborate? Reach out and let's make magic happen.

(604) 980-6969

chardmore@hotmail.com

West Coast Chicago

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