[ The Ron Bagnatto Orchestra ], 50s - 70s
This band, active ca. 1955 - 1970, played at various venues including the Palace Pier (The Palace Pier burned down the week after the Bagnatto Orch. played there), the Embassy (Ron's was one of the last bands to play the Embassy before it closed), and the Palais Royale. Among the band's personnel were:
Trumpets:
      Jack Fortin, Herbie Spanier, Dave Johnson
Reeds:
      Ron Bagnato on tenor/clarinet
      Bob Stagg on tenor
      Bob Schueller on alto
      Bob Wilson on alto
      Vic Bland on baritone (aka Vic Lawrence)
Trombones:
      Paul Miner
      Ted Robins
Thanks to Mr Jack Fortin (trumpet with the band) for this information.

      [ Jack Barry & his Orch ], 30's)
No information currently available

      [ Rex Battle Orch ], (Studio Orch) (40's) br>Currently no information available.
Rex led his band in Canada and the USA. He is also recorded as a pianist accompaniment for some vocal records.
We do have two photographs of Rex. The BigBands Database thanks Ms Gail Murphy for this rare photograph of Rex Battle, and we thank Mr. Robert Fast, whose grandparents received this rare photo of his great uncle Rex Battle in 1916, when Battle was about 27 years old. The writing in the lower left hand corner reads: "To Edith Lloyd and Reggie with fondest love from Reg. Columbus Ohio. Sept. 4, 1916". Mr Robert Fast advises that his father, - Reginald, was named after Battle who does sign his name as "Reg."

      [ Johnny Burt Orch ], (Studio Orch) (40's)
Currently no information available.

      [ Harry Bedlington & his Whispering Orch. ], (30's)
In the 1930's this fine orchestra appeared in Toronto's Savarin.

      [ Billy Bissett (Bishop) ], (20's)
Famous in England, Canada, and the U.S.A. As a youngster, he formed a band made up of fellow students in the St.Catherines High School. He toured the New England states down to New York City, with this band.

When he reached NY, MCA hired the band to follow Abe Lyman's band into London's Kit-Cat Club. By the way, MCA booked Ben Bernie's band went into the Kit-Cat when Bissett left.

After the Kit-Cat, MCA booked Bissett to a USA tour where the band played hotel rooms in Syracuse and Cleveland. Afterwards, they even worked in the Fox Vaudeville circuit.

In Sept 1930, Billy's band played Toronto's Silver Slipper Ballroom. From Sept 1933 to January 1936, the band played the Royal York Hotel in Toronto. From 1936 through 1939, the band toured in England, playing such well known venues as the Mayfair; the Savoy Hotel; the Royal Bath Hotel in Bournemouth, and the Cafe de Paris in London. In 1937, Billy married his vocalist, Alice Mann. While in England, the band appeared in British Films "The Divorce of Lady X; Dinner at the Ritz, and The Sidewalks of London.

After London, Bissett, traveled to the USA, making Chicago his home base, and started to work under the name of Billy Bishop. He spent the remainder of his musical career in the U.S.

However, by the end of the 1940's, the big band era was coming to a close, and along with a great many other leaders, Billy disbanded in 1953. He took up residence in Beverly Hills, CA and became a stock broker. He and his lovely wife then retired to San Diego, CA.

      [ Frank Bogart Orch ], (20's - 50's)
b. Woodstock, Ont.m, Canada, d.
At age 18, Frank started his career as a sideman with the Ferde Mowry Band. Just five short years later, he was booked into Burlington, Ont's Brant Inn with his own band. Following the Brant Inn, the band was resident for 3 years at the Club Top Hat. That band included Gordon Delamont (trumpet); Jack Kane; Teddy Roderman, and Benny Winestone. Delamont later led his own band, and still later became a well known music teacher. After that, the Bogart Orchestra was booked into the Granite Club, remaining for 25 years.

During his career, Frank became a band agent, sending out many bands. I am told that for Frank's 25th anniversay, Lester Lanin, perhaps New York City's best known Society-type band agent, went up to Toronto, just to take part in the ceremonies for Frank Bogart.

      [ Gordon Braund Orch. ], (40's)
Trumpet.
Started with Ferde Mowry's little band and played at Toronto's Embassy Club with them. Later, he was to bring his own band into the Embassy, and also to the Old Mill. Along the way, he was a sideman with the Moxie Whitney and Mart Kenney Bands.

      [ Herbie Brittain's Orch ], (40's)
No further information available currently.
Wally Koster was a sideman with this orchestra in 1941. Wally later found fame as a vocalist on the CBC.

      [ The Brown Brothers Orch ], (30's)
The Early 1930's, found this band playing at the Clear Lake Resort in Manitoba during the summer months, and at Brandon's Esquire Ballroom during the winter months. In 1934, Larry Fagan's orchestra played the Clear Lake resort.

      [ Bus Browne and Boys ], (30's)
A 1930's orchestra that included a young Canadian by the name of Robert Farnon, who later became a famous "English" Composer. Homer Watson was also in that band. Homer later became the titular Leader of a Co-op band called the Modernaires.

      [ Tommy Banks Orch.]
b. Dec. 17,1936, Calgary, Alberta
Instrument: pianist, arranger, conductor and composer.
né: Thomas Benjamin Banks
Tommy grew up in Edmonton, Alberta and started his first big band in 1956, and his present big band is still based in Edmonton. In 1978, Banks took his 17 piece big band to the Montreaux Jazz Festival. The recording of this live event won the 'Juno Award' and the 'Grand Prix du Disque -Canada'. Interestingly, his band, or smaller parts of it, have also backed recordings for a number of Canadian singers.

From 1968 to 1983, his big band was featured on CBC television. Additionally, the band was also the big band "core" of the ITV Concert Orchestra for the "In Concert" television series. This series of over 20 popular concerts featured a variety of well-known performers including Tony Bennett, Vicki Carr, Henry Mancini, Mel Torme', Lou Rawls, "Doc" Severinsen, and Charles Aznavour. The series was not only shown throughout Canada but was also sold to overseas markets. Banks acted as musical coordinator and consultant for the series. His band has also appeared on CBC radio.

Tommy Banks is also active as the pianist for a variety of jazz groups, including a Dixieland band, "The New Orleans Connection", which plays at Jazz festivals throughout Europe and North America. He has also acted as guest conductor for a number of Symphony Orchestras in North America, and conducted for gala concerts for state visits of dignitaries in the National Capital. Tommy is an officer of the Order of Canada and holds an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Alberta. A further honor was given to Tommy Banks in April, 2000 when Prime Minister of Canada, Jean Chretien, appointed Banks to the Canadian Senate. This upper house of the Canadian Parliament is an appointed position without specific term and the Senator serves until the age of 75. Banks was appointed to this prestigious position based on his contribution to the arts and his involvement in community affairs. He will represent the Province of Alberta.