Dave Tolley
Born in 1978 in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. Dave Tolley’s interest in Percussion began at an early age. While studying piano, Dave figured out that hitting stuff was much more fun than playing melodic instruments. At 11, he created a makeshift kit from a set of bongos and a handful of cardboard boxes and never looked back.
While in high school, Dave studied privately with Kitchener-Waterloo drum teacher Gary Tomlin and was accepted into the York University music program in Toronto, Ontario. While honing his craft, he worked as a backline tech managing to get work with legendary artists like The Monkees, Chubby Checker, America, Sha-Na-Na, and many others. After leaving York University to play professionally, Dave played in numerous local, funk, rock, blues and singer-songwriter outfits.
A landmark moment in his burgeoning musical career, Dave was accepted to the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, and was a recipient of the World Scholarship tour. During this time he had the opportunity to flex his percussive muscles and study under some of the best Jazz, Blues, Afro-Cuban, and South Indian percussionists such as Bob Tamagni, John Ramsey, Bob Weiner, Trichy Sankaran, and Gary Tomlin.
In 2003, Dave met Australian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Xavier Rudd when he performed with another group that opened up for the artist. The two very quickly developed a bond both personally and musically, jamming together at every opportunity. In 2006, Xavier asked Dave to sit in on a performance, and the day after asked if he would consider heading on tour with him. Dave’s musical relationship with Xavier is one of true musicality, trust and improvisation. Often cited with critical acclaim in show reviews, Dave is an integral part of Xavier’s live show. Both musicians inspire each other and push the musical envelope, making each live show fresh and exciting.
Dave has performed with several different acts in the Toronto area and continues to perform and play sessions when not performing with Xavier Rudd. He has performed throughout North America, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, UK, and Europe and appeared at huge festivals such as: Bonnaroo, Glastonbury, Alive Festival (Portugal), Nuke Festival (Austria), Blues and Roots (Australia), Austin City Limits (U.S.). He has also played major television performances including “Live at the Chapel” in Australia, and “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” in Los Angeles.
Dave Tolley is currently endorsed by Yamaha Drums, Vater Drumsticks, Evans Drumheads, and Meinl Percussion. Recently, he worked with Xavier on the film score for the upcoming major motion picture “Surfer, Dude”, starring Matthew McConaughey, Woody Harrelson, and Willie Nelson.
Brian MacMillan
Take the sweet vocals of James Taylor, the rhythm of Paul Simon, pepper it with a heartfelt message of love and you have the one-and-only Brian MacMillan.
Brian is one of Canada’s finest young musicians. An extremely talented singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, Brian’s uplifting music is a blend of all of his favourite styles; Folk, Reggae, World and Pop music. Equally at ease and captivating as a solo performer or with his trio, Brian aims to connect and convey his genuine love of making and sharing music.
Brian has released 2 critically acclaimed solo albums; Gone To See The Morning in 2001 and Let The Darkness Go in 2007. He has since been across Canada 4 times, gathering a solid fan-base along the way. He continues to be heavily supported by the CBC and many national college radio stations across Canada. His 3rd release, tentatively titled “Shine”, is to be released in the spring of 2010.
The Ontario Council of Folk Festivals recognized Brian’s songwriting abilities in 2005 by awarding him the Colleen Peterson Award for a song he wrote with juno nominee Lori Cullen. Brian is a 2x Ontario Arts Council grant recipient.
Brian was a guest performer on all 3 of the Barenaked Ladies, “Ships and Dips”, Caribbean cruises, sharing the stage with The Barenaked Ladies, Great Big Sea, Sarah Harmer and Guster. Outside of his busy solo career he has appeared on albums by Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle, The Wailing Jennys, Garth Hudson, Lori Cullen, Jory Nash, Mr. Something Something, Layah Jane, Nine Mile and Eden Hertzog.
