Born in Montreal in 1953, Geoff Lapp was trained in
the classical tradition and studied at McGill University
under widely respected jazz pianist Art Maiste. During
the early years of his career, he gained experience in
the pop music world touring with the likes of Michel
Pagliaro. From the early '80s onwards, he devoted himself
fully to the jazz idiom. As one of Canada’s most accomplished
pianists/composers, Geoff Lapp became a sought-after
accompanist for a host of top Canadian performers.
In addition to his own trio work, Geoff has performed
and/or recorded with renowned jazzmen such as Paquito
d’Rivera, Don Menza, Richie Cole, Bob Mover, Sonny Fortune,
and Slide Hampton, among others. He has also performed
extensively in festivals and clubs worldwide. At home
in Quebec, he is a mainstay on the vibrant jazz scene,
and has performed with a panoply of local luminaries:
Michel Donato, Jeri Brown, Peter Leitch, Ranee Lee, Denzil
Sinclair, John Labelle, Charlie Biddle, Charles Ellison
and the Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir. |
Drummer
David Laing was born in Kitchener Ontario and grew up in
a musical family. He was introduced to jazz music by his
father and older brother. Dave studied at McGill University
in Montreal and began his professional career shortly thereafter.
In the past fifteen years he has recorded, toured, and
performed with such national and international stars as
Jimmy Heath, Junior Cook, Ed Bickert, Denzal Sinclaire,
Ben Monder, and Ranee Lee. He currently resides in Montreal
where he also teaches at McGill University.
Bass
Player Paul Johnston moved to Montreal from Ottawa in 1990
to study jazz bass at McGill University. Before completing
his studies he began working at clubs and festivals as
well as on radio and television in Montreal, Toronto, Quebec,
Ottawa, Kingston. He was a founding member of the jazz
group Panache, with whom he won a Jazz Report award for
jazz vocal group of the year in 1996. He returned to McGill
to study sound recording in 1999. In 2001 Paul completed
the highly regarded M. Mus in sound recording. While
remaining on the jazz scene as a bass player, he has branched
out as a producer/engineer.