After completing music studies in Montreal, Reedman Pete Gemmell travelled the globe, blowing his horns wherever he went. Since arriving in Ottawa he has been making music with such diverse groups as Big Band Ottawa, National Capital Concert Band, Funktion, Ottawa Wind Ensemble, Rideau Lakes Orchestra, Afro-Colombian Jazz Orchestra, Tom Allen's "From Weimar to Vaudeville", Original Trillium Jazz Band, Alternate Takes and now the Apex Jazz Band.
Ron Laight was just out of high school when he signed on as the band’s original (and only) bassist. For years Ron was the baby of the band but with recent personnel changes he is now one of just two original Apex veterans. Still working a day job in high pressure retail management, Ron finds his time with the band to be the perfect way to chill after a busy week.
Craig Kennedy has toured the country extensively as a vocalist/guitarist in the RCMP Concert Band and as the banjo player in The NorthWest Mounted Strolling Dixieland Band. He has also been active in the Ottawa music community for many years as a member of the Stevens & Kennedy Band, Orpheus Musical Theatre, and Dr. Jazz. Craig holds Education and Music degrees, an Ontario teacher’s certificate, and is a recent graduate of the Protocol School of Washington.
Leader and trombonist Rod Digney, an original member of Apex, has played most other types of music during his extensive amateur career but has focussed almost exclusively on tailgate Dixieland since joining the band, with a measure of big band jazz thrown in for good measure
Trumpeter Gordon Tapp has been playing up and down the Ottawa Valley since the age of twelve. A tremendously versatile musician, he is, or has been, trumpeter, cornetist, arranger or director for groups ranging from dance, swing, community and brass bands to symphony orchestras. Gord lives and works in Pembroke, where he leads or plays in several groups.
Drummer Steve Barrette is a local boy from Ottawa. Steve spent many years touring the world representing Canada in the RCMP show band. He has played with the Rialto Rhythm Revellers, Arthur Grainge's New Orleans Days Jazz Band, Aardvark Jazz Band, The Bill Jupp Band, Souper Jazz, The Concorde Trio and can also be seen with his own trio, featuring various local artists at The Swan in Carp.
