Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne has been a fixture in the Vancouver music scene for many years, distilling a unique blend of blues and boogie-woogie piano playing and vocalizing. Kenny cites New Orleans (Fats Domino, Roosevelt Sykes, Professor Longhair) and Kansas City (Jay McShann) styles as major influences…

Jerry Doucette is best known for the commercial rock anthem he penned and performed in the late 70's (Mama Let Him Play), but discerning audiences know him as a superb blues stylist both in terms of musicianship and vocals. After a journey that started in Montreal several years ago, Jerry entrenched himself into the West Coast music hierarchy and composes, records, and performs to this day.

Originally from Shreveport, Louisiana, Mike Henry's earliest influences spanned gospel to R&B. His journey took him through Las Vegas and the San Francisco Bay area before moving to Vancouver in the late 80's. Sam Cook, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and many others were powerful influences in shaping Mike's soulful delivery.

Darrell Mayes was a member of Colin James's first band  (for 7 years) in which Colin achieved his big hits and success. Darryl has recorded and played with everyone from Powder Blues to Doucette to Prism to Incognito and is one of Canada's great live and studio drummers.

Darryl Havers graceful touch on the Hammond organ can be heard with artists as diverse as Amos Garrett, Powder Blues and Doug and the Slugs. He is versatile and imaginative, with a fine ear for composition.

Steve Hilliam's fiery delivery on the tenor sax has earned him a reputation as one of the most sought after session musicians on the West Coast. Steve has distinguished himself on recordings with Colin James, The Twisters, Hans Staymer, and many more. Steve also can be seen live with many top jazz and blues outfits including Danny Casavant's Big Dawg Band.

Danny Casavant enjoys near legend status amongst Western Canadian fret fans. Rooted in the mid 60's Winnipeg scene that spawned artists like the Guess Who and Neil Young, Danny moved to Vancouver in the 80's to participate in the burgeoning blues/roots scene there. Danny is also a genuine musicologist, with an  encyclopedic knowledge of North American blues and roots music history. Danny writes, produces and records as a first call session player in Vancouver.

Miles Black is recognized as one of Canada's leading uber-musicians… a superb pianist, and a proficient guitarist, bassist, and saxophonist as well. Miles is revered for his high quality compositions and arrangements. While better known for his jazz contributions, Miles is equally at home with blues, pop, and virtually every musical category. His performances have graced works by Ann Mortifee, Shari Ulrich, Maynard Ferguson, Valdy, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Slide Hampton, Rodney Whittaker, Dee Daniels, Carl Anderson, Christine Duncan, Glenda Rae, Skywalk,Oliver Gannon, Carl Allen, the Mike Allen Quartet, The Robin Shier Quintet, Almeta Speaks, The Paul Horn Band, Wildroot Orchestra, Chuck Israels, Jim Ferguson, Brad Turner, Soulstream, Rob Frayne, Fraser MacPherson, Max Roach, Claudio Roditi, Jeff Hyslop and Ruth Nichols, Lew Tabackin, Houston Person, Gaye Delorme, The Bill Clark Sextet, and many more.

Miles Foxx Hill has quietly constructed a reputation as one of Canada's best bassists, equally fluent in jazz, blues, and contemporary styles, and a master of both acoustic upright and electric basses. He has extensive live (Jann Arden, Freddie Hubbard, Don Thompson and Oliver Jones) and recording (P.J. Perry, the Rankin Family and Raffi) performance credits. He is also a highly sought after producer and engineer. 

Robbie King is probably one of the more colorful characters in Vancouver music. That's not surprising, considering his predisposition for painting outside the lines musically! Robbie's Hammond B3 excursions have been heard around the world, thanks to work with stars like Bryan Adams, Tina Turner, John Lee Hooker and Jim Byrnes.

Tom Keenlyside's versatile woodwinds have been featured on a huge catalogue of contemporary music, including recording credits with Aerosmith, Motley Crue, The Payolas, Bon Jovi and Prism. While known for these rock contributions, Tom is rooted in jazz and blues styles, with a huge musical lexicon from which to draw. Tom was also a core member of Skywalk, Vancouver's most famous contribution to the world of jazz fusion.

As a trumpeter, Vince Mai has been well entrenched in the west coast studio/jazz scene for many years with numerous commercial, film and album credits. For years his trumpet solos have been heard on many TV series including DaVinci's Inquest, The Chris Isaak Show, McGyver, Lonesome Dove, Scene of the Crime, and numerous feature films. As a jazz artist Vince has had the privilege of sharing stages and studios with top artists in Canada, the United States, and Europe. His impressive line up of work credentials is punctuated by performances/recordings with Chuck Israels, Bobby Shew, Natalie Cole, Don Thompson, Eddie Daniels, Ernan Lopez Nussa, Danilo Perez, Robben Ford, and Daniel Binelli.

Keith Bennett is an accomplished singer/instrumentalist, with a wonderful reputation for his pristine vocals. Most west coast music fans think "mouth harp" when Keith's name is mentioned, and for good reason…his fluency with both chromatic and blues harps is legendary. His harp work has been heard on television (McGyver, Lonesome Dove) and with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, as well as clubs throughout Vancouver. Keith also teaches voice, harp and guitar at various workshops, and is a busy session musician.

Beverley Staunton possesses a vocal maturity seldom reached by even the most seasoned performers. Beverley can be heard on recordings by the likes of Jessica Simpson, Jim Brickman, Robbie Buchanan, Coco Lee, Rock Voisine and Michael Crawford. She has toured with Amanda Marshall, written and recorded with Randy Bachman and has been featured on such soundtracks as the Lady and the Tramp 2 and Air Bud 2. Beverley has recorded a solo debut entitled "Here's To You". She has also written and sung on BMG/RCA recording artists Balligomingo's debut CD, Beneath The Surface, released internationally. Beverley has performed with David Foster for the 2010 Olympic Bid event in Vancouver, attended by many of Canada's elite including Prime Minister Jean Chretien.

Many thanks: 

I would like to thank the following people for their part in the production of "The House of Blue Light".

Kenny Colman for the advice and perspective of taking on my 'boogie woogie' project. It was Kenny who recommended that I listen to Beverly Staunton to sing on the album. Excellent call, Kenny.

Ray Carroll who was so very helpful by suggesting how to work with the artists without getting in the way and still capture the essence of what I had hoped to accomplish with my boogie woogie blues concept,

Tom Lavin for the encouragement and kindness he showed me toward the production of my album at his Blue Wave Studio, Tom is as first class a human being as he is a performer and studio executive.

Danny Casavant - Thanks for the creative suggestions and positive feedback for the project. Danny's musical expertise and keen musical sense helped make the album better.

James Badger - Thanks for the superb graphic design for "The House of Blue Light' and for putting up with my "Why don't we do this or that(s)" In the end you were always right.

Miles Black - This concept album would never have been realized were it not for the creative genius of producer Miles Black. Miles wrote all the charts plus had to put up with my attempted vocalization for how I heard each tune and infuse this into a sound that would capture spirit of what I wanted for the listener. You sure play a great boogie piano, man.

One final note, to the band and singers, you made me very, very proud, I love you guys.

Byron Thorne