In Conversation w/ Mary Lou Sicoly & John Ebata & Karl Scholz for BigBrothersBigSisters

“Mary Lou’s secret weapon is a voice that lands neatly between the brightness of soprano and rich depth of alto and the way she smoothly shifts back and forth between them. Mary Lou is a woman in love with music, in love with singing, in love with life itself. Next time there’s a chance to see her perform, get on it as fast as you can. Sit as upfront as you can to make it easier for all this love to rub off on you. But if you have to stand in the back, don’t worry. Her love has a terrific range and will reach you.” – Lenny Stoute, Canadian Entertainment Journalist, Toronto

John Ebata. His talents are Versatile with a capital V. He is respected in all the extended categories of musician, song writer, producer, musical director, arranger and recording engineer. Equally versatile in all musical styles from jazz to world folk songs to rock and R&B. He has become the first choice accompanist of many great singer songwriters and acclaimed to be of the very top Canadian piano-keyboardists and continues to work with artists from all parts of the world.
Recording engineer for Juno nominated Jazz albums , Black Music composer’s award for song of the year and performed and recorded with the likes of Buffy St. Marie, Morris Albert , Oscar Peterson, Jack Lenz, Waleed Abdulhamid, Smith & Dragoman , Lucy Shropshire, MaryLou Sicoly, Roland Grant, Sarah Pound, Siobhan Duffy , Dinzel Sinclair, Nabil & Karim, Eric Dozier, JB Eckl, KC Porter, Red Grammar,..

Karl Scholz is a Big Brother and is actively involved in supporting the BigBrothersBigSisters Association through the arts. A graduate of Bawating C. & V.S. in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Karl first met Mary Lou as a student in her music class. As circumstances happened they have come together to present a fundraising concert in their hometown. Professionally, in 1999 Karl Scholz re-joined PACLINE as a partner and General Manager.

Patti Jannetta is a Canadian Recording Artist with a long history of touring in the 80’s and 90’s from Europe to Asia to Las Vegas.She co-wrote and performed with celebrities such as Ronnie Hawkins and Bo Diddley and hosted her own CBC specials. She continues to perform (John is her Musical Director) and produces and directs large events.

Patti’s father , Louis Jannetta ran the Imperial Room of the Royal York Hotel and he booked all the big entertainment there. Patti grew up with many celebrities and Tony Bennett was a regular dinner guest at their home when he was in town.

And here is a fun piece of history: when Patti was touring with her band and she did the Northern Ontario circuit, she did a couple of appearances in the Sault. Guess who signed her Musicians’ Union contract…….Orlando Sicoly….small world!

Patti is an absolutely wonderful person and I’m thrilled to share the stage with her. Along with Patti will be her husband, Dave Baker on bass and our fabulous drummer, Aaron Ferrera, both from Toronto.

TICKETS: algomaconservatory.com/mary-lou-sicoly-and-friends