KW Collective Band
Bios
formerly Collective Band Canada
Pop, Rock 'n Blues...
Covers and Originals
Your event, party, dance and pub
live-music band!
From Kitchener-Waterloo in central/southwestern Ontario, Canada.
Steve Robinson, guitar, harp and vocals
Steve has studied jazz, woodshedded with many blues greats from generations past and rocked out on stage with some of the region's best known players. He has been seen performing at countless pubs, restaurants, weddings and corporate events in Waterloo Region and surrounding areas in recent years and has recorded vocals and guitar for local singer-songwriter commercial releases.
Jay Collins, guitar and vocals
Building on his experience as a soloist, open stage performer, dedicated sideman or when adding rhythm and vocals for studio recordings, Jay has honed his songwriting skills at local SOCAN workshops and is a fixture on the local Kitchener/Waterloo region music scene and Alberta's Mountain View Music Festival. Jay has had radio airplay in Alberta and on the University of Western Ontario radio stations. A skilled musician, craftsman, instrument builder, and software engineer, he's a source of inspiration and support to his friends and family.
Phil Honsinger, guitar and vocals
In addition to Ontario pubs, recordings, weddings, private performances and on concert stages, Phil has also been heard on numerous radio stations including BBC (Belfast, Ireland), CBC (Toronto, Ontario), CKWR (Waterloo), and various community, university and college radio stations across North America. Phil has been interviewed on CKCO-TV (Kitchener) and seen on Rogers TV (Day Time Show) and CHCH-TV (Hamilton). He has performed at many festivals throughout Ontario including Fergus, Goderich, Sarnia, Haliburton & Canada Day celebrations. Phil's instrument collection includes many built by himself!
Our musical partners...
John Wiebe, bass, vocals
John Wiebe is a fulltime musician and teacher of guitar and
bass. He is a lover of great tunes in many genres and has played in
Bluegrass/Country, Celtic/Irish, and classic Rock bands and duos.
John’s curiosity and fascination with musical theory have
led him to discover the different forms of reading music, one including the use
of Nashville Number System and shaped notes.
Also rediscovering past Prog Rock groups like Gentle Giant,
Rush and Jazz artists going back to Chick Webb & Ella Fitzgerald and so
many other greats. Recently discovering the Dublin Guitar Quartet, who, perform
contemporary music by many other composers like compositions by Philip Glass.
Mike Kipper, percussion, vocals
Influenced by “everything”, in the early days, Rush, Led Zep, Deep Purple... just like every other teen growing up in the 70’s. Later in life classic and contemporary blues/country/Motown. (Loves the Motown groove!!!). Lead&Harmony Vox. Passionate Harley driver 😊. Favorite beer – all of them!
We've heard that you know you're a drummer if…
You play air drums anytime, anywhere; 99% of your brain is drum beats; The tempo is whatever you say it is; Drumming becomes therapy and is cheaper than an actual therapist; You know what RLRR means; You're ready to jam with the band, but everyone's still tuning their stupid guitars; You can NEVER have enough cymbals; Everything you touch becomes a drum; You play drums on your motorcycle's handle bars and gas tank; You load $3000 worth of equipment into a $350 car and drive 200km for a gig that pays $50; If you make a mistake, you turn and look angrily at the bassist
You hate being sexy, but you're a drummer so you know you can't help it.
Seems to us this pretty much describes Mike... an amazing musician and a great guy.
Darrell Cadieux, percussion
Connected with the elite of South-Western Ontario musicians from rock to jazz, Darrell's credentials are only eclipsed by his wonderful live performances. You are going to love this guy!
Slim, bass and vocals
With tons of experience working in many genres, Slim's love of playing and of his instrument shine through on the stage. Slim ties the rhythm section of a band together into a performance powerhouse!
Ian Graham, bass and vocals
Small Dog Studio's owner and engineer, Ian Graham, is a well educated musician and audio engineer holding a BA in Music Composition and has over 30 years in performance/engineering in a very wide variety of muscial styles from classical, rock, jazz, theater, church and country. Ian is an Apple certified Logic Pro X trainer and also teaches audio production at Conestoga and Niagara college as well as Wilfrid Laurier University.
Rick Guzik, accordion and vocals
Rick Guzik is an accomplished accordionist who has been entertaining audiences with his vast repertoire as a solo or band sideman for over 40 years, including television appearances, studio/session work, senior's centres, trade fairs, press/promotional tours, countless wedding receptions, guest adjudicator at music festivals, bandleader, and many official KW Oktoberfest events in Kitchener-Waterloo (including opening and closing ceremonies, Miss Oktoberfest Pageant Ball, and Festhalls).
Tony DiVito, percussion
Tony is truely a musician's musican on the drums. Connected with so many players in the Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph areas, Tony delivers consumate performances and connects so easily with audiences from behind his kit!
Robert LaPorte, Percussion and vocals
Robert (aka Rockussion) has extensive experience in Jazz, Prog Rock, Blues, Jazz Fusion, Pop, Rock, Classic Rock and Funk. His wide-ranging influences include Robert Plant, Sly & The Family Stone, Herbie Hancock, Grant Fullerton, Albert King, Wayne Shorter, Peter Gabriel, The Doors, Yes, Duke Ellington, Frank Zappa, Led Zeppelin, WhatAboutBob, McCoy Tyner, B.B. King, Miles Davis, Robert Johnson, Charlie Parker, Chick Corea and Dizzy Gillespie!
Terry Labach, Harmonica
A recent addition to our roster, Terry's work on the blues harp is spot-on. A great guy to work with, he has a feel for his instrument that leaves other musicians in envy!