Alphonse, Bjornson, Hubert

As an accomplished drummer and bandleader John Alphonse has amassed quite an enviable record. He spent seven years as the drummer with Rita MacNeil. He has accompanied Anne Murray, Mitch Miller, Pat Boone, Stan Rogers, Vera Lynn, Catherine McKinnon, The Irish Rovers, Peter Appleyard, Red Buttons, Dinah Christie, Patti Page and Dionne Warwick to name only a few. He has served as the regional Entertainment Director for the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Labor Day Telethon. John has served for twenty years as the Entertainment Director for the Children’s Miracle Network Telethon held in June of every year.

Larry Bjornson Larry’s music education began at Detroit’s Centre for Creative Studies Jazz Workshop, led by trumpet great Marcus Belgrave. Bjornson flourished in this environment as have the likes of Kenny Garrett, James Carter, Geri Allen, Rodney Whitaker and Bob Hurst to name only a few. Larry continued his studies earning a bachelor of music in jazz performance at Mcgill University in Montreal then continued graduate studies in performance at Wayne State University back in Detroit. Upon returning to Detroit, Larry became a regular bassist for his mentor Marcus Belgrave maintaining a busy concert, club and touring schedule.During this time he also became a member of the Michigan Opera Theatre orchestra, Detroit’s Opera. Larry has performed with a very broad spectrum of artists ranging from The Moody Blues, Nell Carter, Mitsou, top jazz musicians; Charles MacPherson, James Carter and Charles Tolliver to backing up personalities like Joan Rivers, and Regis Philbin. Larry is currently a member of the Stadacona Band of the Royal Canadian Navy, and resides in Halifax, Nova Scotia with his wife and three children.