Artist description Beautiful music is a dichotomy, a spiritual ying-yang. Music is composed of talent and dedication, inspiration and pure diligence; it is composed of similarities and differences. The Alumni, a super group of Sarnia talent, brings together Kevin Howley, Iggy Farina, David Puzak, Matt Shaw and Cameron Britton on a wide variety of instruments. Together they blend virtuosity with tunefulness and popular music with experimental styles to create a unique blend of instrumental music. Each member has performed with other local bands, but enduring friendships and a desire to innovate has brought them together for their current effort. The name was chosen to represent their shared past and sense of humour. They mix genres and styles freely, with heavy influences from jazz, rock, fusion, ambience and low-fi. Each member of the band has an instantly identifiable style, but it is the culmination of these styles that creates the coherence and stability of the St. Helen's Alumni. The five members of the Alumni are all individuals and provide support for the bouncing of creative ideas. Its members have grown, but everyone returns to his/her roots. The Alumni will be at the front of innovative music for a long time. Kevin Howley, one of the most respected drummers in the community, lays the experienced back beat with an unerring sense of rhythm and time. His solo projects inject his playing with a sense of leadership and his skill as a drummer and instrumentalist is undisputed. David Puzak provides the guitars and unique harmonies of the Alumni, mixing a love of both jazz and rock to create his unique melodies. His blend of virtuosity and simplicity combined with his striking compositions adds a unique sound and provides one of the most innovative approaches to pop guitar in recent memory and gives ample proof of his "young upstart" status among local music elders. Iggy Farina is chief and eldest member of the Alumni, and his love of prog rock and all music in general brings the most diverse array of musical influences to the St. Helen's Alumni group. His tasteful, funky organ sounds provide the solid backdrop that provides the ambience from which the group functions. From a foundation of blues, funk and groove, Matt Shaw provides the low-end with tasteful touches of jazz and virtuosity. His playing gives the Alumni its bounce and groove, and, while not shying away from occasional melodic detours, provides a foundation for the other members to stand upon to flex their creative muscles. Cameron Britton assists melodic, harmonic, and atmospheric duties with his saxophone, providing smooth melodic passages and blissful harmonies. His extremely intelligent sense of playing provides the perfect note at the perfect times and creates the recognizable gloss of the band.

Music Style Funk, Fusion Jazz, Latin, Low-fi, Rock, Ambience Electronic elements..

Group Members Matt Shaw - Bass, Ignatius Farina - Keyboard, Kevin Howley - Drums/Percussion, Cameron Britton - Saxophone, David Puzak - Guitar

Instruments Bass, Guitar, Drums, Keyboard, Saxophone

Albums True High Fidelity

Location Sarnia, Ontario - Canada

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