[ Doug Kemp & his Orch. ], (50's)
Doug got his band training with the Paul Firman orchestra where he held down the lead trumpet chair. By the way, Paul's pianist, Bill Isbister, also became a leader.

All through the '50's, Doug's band appeared at Toronto's Masonic Auditorium.

      [ Jack Kane Orch ]
Sax.
Played with the Frank Bogart orchestra. Played with the 1941 Richard Avonde Orch. (Denny Vaughan was on piano.)

      [ Mart Kenney & his Western Gentlemen ], (30's - 2000's)
b. March 7, 1910, Tweed, Ont, Canada, d. Feb. 8, 2006 (at his home in) Mission, British Columbia, Canada. Age: 95. (complications after fracturing his hip the previous Friday)
Theme Song: "The West, A Nest and You, Dear"
Debuting with his band in Vancouver's Alexandra Ballroom in 1931, Mart and the Western Gentlemen (Ed Emel, drums; Glen Griffith, trumpet, accordion and piano; Art Hallman; Jack Hemmings, trumpet; Bert Listor, tenor sax; and Hector McCallum, bass) quickly became known throughout Canada; from barnstorming through the prairies to performances at such prestigious hotels as the Hotel Saskatchewan, Chateau Lake Louise, Hotel Vancouver, Banff Springs and The Royal York in Toronto. Mart Kenney and his "Western Gentlemen" were the first Canadian band to broadcast on Canadian, American and International radio networks and the first Canadian Orchestra to record for RCA Victor. The band was broadcasting in 1934. In 1938 they cut their first records (RCA Victor). They had a booking at the Royal York Hotel in 1939. They were the only band to tour Canada regularly and during the war years, entertained Canadian Forces and war workers in 200 Victory performances. From 1943 to 1945, the Coca Cola Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands in Canada featured only one band, Mart Kenney. The Royal York broght them back in 1946 where they stayed resident for 3 years. The band's vocalist was Norma Locke, who later married Mart.

In 1946, he composed "We're Proud of Canada" and 50 years later updated the lyrics to encourage unity and express his sincere love for his country. In 1949 Mart opened "The Ranch", an open-air nightclub near Woodbridge, Ontario. The Stampede Room became the favourite Saturday night meeting place for Toronto dancers. The bands routine was to spend 6 months at 'The Ranch' and to tour for 6 months. In 1968 he and his wife Norma (also band vocalist) tried to retire from music in the Vancouver area. Fortunately, the fans were not ready to have him leave the bandstand. Mart and his West Coast Orchestra specialized in conventions and club dates in the Vancouver area as well as regular tours throughout western Canada during the 70's and 80's. There were appearances at the Banff Springs Hotel, the Calgary Stampede, the Royal York Hotel in Toronto, the famous Brant Inn, Casa Loma and The Palais Royale and many national conventions. A release in album form of several original recordings and an album recorded for the Canadian Talent Library were enthusiastically received coast to coast. The Mart Kenney Big Band was featured at Expo '86 for the Air Canada 50th Anniversary celebrations and continued through that very busy summer, with performances at the Toronto Board of Trade, Jasper Park Lodge, the Canadian National Exhibition and the Pacific National Exhibition.

As band leader and musician, Mart's contribution to the music venue in Canada spans from coast to coast and he continues to draw large audiences wherever he performs. In 1993 he was honoured by the Toronto Musicians' Association with the "Musician of Distinction" Award and has been inducted into British Columbia's Entertainment Hall of Fame. In 1995 he appeared with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and 1998 engagements include The St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, a week long reminiscence of the Golden Era at the Royal York Hotel, The Boris Brott Summer Music Festival in Hamilton, Ontario, a special reunion at The Kee at Bala, Ontario and "Proud of Canada" Big Band Showcase.

Mart is still a man "in tune with the times" and the spring of 2000 will see the release of a CD with new original material composed by Mart. And, he has again turned his hand to composition with two new songs: "Why" and "Swing It Baby". His involvement in community affairs has brought many honours over the years including the Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal and in recognition of his contribution to music and his country, he received The Order of Canada in 1980. After 70 years of entertaining Canadians, Mart Kenney, Canada's number one bandleader, has rightfully earned the title, "Canada's Big Band King".
The BigBands Database Plus thanks Ms. Dee Haiskell for contributing this bio on Mart Kenney.

      [ Wally Koster Orch. ]
Trombone. Native of Winnipeg. Joined the Ellis McClintock Band in Toronto as a vocalist. Later was with Matt Kenney band. From there he went on to the stage as a singer performer in a great many musical shows including 'Guys and Dolls'; 'Carousel'; and 'The Most Happy Fella'. Later had his own orchestra and also his own talent agency, both in Toronto, Canada.