Gallardi to Hummel

North Bay has been home to a wide variety of talented musicians since its founding in 1882. This page lists musicians and bands from Gallardi to Hummel.

Peter Gallardi. Photo courtesy of the Falconi Collection. Photographer unknown.

Gallardi, Peter

North Bay native Peter Gallardi has been regularly involved with music outside of his school and subsequent career as a dental therapist. While attending North Bay Collegiate Institute he played with the Bugle Band for a three-year period. He would later play trumpet with the 8th Field Squadron Band for another five years. Finally, he served as the band instructor for the Air Cadets for a period of 21 years, eventually becoming a reserve officer.

Harry William “Bill” Gasson. Photo courtesy of the Falconi Collection. Photographer unknown.

Gasson, Harry William “Bill”

Born in England in 1900, Harry William "Bill" Gasson came to Canada in 1906 with his family, settling in North Bay where his father was employed by the CPR. Bill learned music from his father growing up and would go on to join him in a few bands in his teen years. The two of them played together in the 228th Battalion Band when Bill was 15 and the Citizens' Band a year later. Bill would play with several other bands and orchestras in the ensuing years, including the Novelty Five Orchestra, the Bert Lehman Band, and the Cangiano Orchestra. When Bill was transferred to Chapleau by the CPR in 1927 he played in dance orchestras, doing so for ten years until his return to North Bay in 1937. After this point Bill continued to be regularly involved with local music, playing with the Nic Cangiano Orchestra, Northernaires, Premier Band, North Bay Area Band, 8th Field Squadron Band, and the Temiscaming and Northern Ontario Railway Band.

Harry Gasson. Photo courtesy of the Falconi Collection. Photographer unknown.

Gasson, Harry

Mr. Harry Gasson was born in Sussex, England in 1878 and moved to Canada in 1906. He continued his involvement with local bands upon his arrival to North Bay, playing trumpet for the Citizen's Band of 1913, 228th Battalion Band of 1916, Premier Band, and the Temiscaming and Northern Ontario Railway Band. In addition to playing the trumpet, Harry played the violin and bass horn, and taught his son Bill how to play music.

Gervais, Cliff

Cliff Gervais started his musical career playing piano and earned his Conservatory grade 4 playing and grade 2 theory by age twelve. He learned to play rock, blues, and jazz styles—also picking up bass guitar—through a combination of self-teaching and playing with his high school band and the Algonquin Regiment Brass and Woodwind Band. While in high school he joined the band Prophets on organ, playing for various teen dances. Cliff taught music for many years, first in Kirkland Lake and then back in North Bay, teaching the recorder and helping direct school choirs and bands. Upon joining a jazz combo, Cliff also learned to play guitar with the help of other musicians, playing with various combinations of local artists at restaurants around the city. He also sang with the North Bay Choral Society at this time. Most recently, Cliff played with the jazz trio After Hours, alongside members Chip Kean and Tim Clarke.

Gerry Gifford. Photo courtesy of the Falconi Collection. Photographer unknown.

Gifford, Gerry

Gerry Gifford was an early contributor to North Bay's local bands and remained so for over 40 years. He first played in various bands while in high school in New Liskeard, Ontario, starting in 1936. He would continue playing in bands upon moving to North Bay in 1940, joining the Temiscaming and Northern Ontario Band. During World War II, Gerry served in the Royal Canadian Air Force but still managed to play in several bands and orchestras. After the war, he joined the ONR Band and played with them until 1948, when the band dissolved. Some of the former members, including Gerry, joined the 8th Field Squadron Royal Canadian Engineers Band, who would play together for ten years until they too disbanded. Gerry would play with the North Bay Area Band that emerged in the Squadron band's wake, which would later be changed to the North Bay Concert Band.

Larry Gravelle. Photo courtesy of the Music City Collection. Photographer unknown.

Gravelle, Larry

Larry Gravelle began playing music at age eight, when he picked up a guitar and began to play. Ten years later, aged eighteen, he switched to the piano. At age nineteen, Larry joined the RCAF, where he was stationed at St. Johns, Quebec; MacDonald, Manitoba and Langar, England. During these three years, Larry formed several bands at the various air stations he was based at, playing piano in the air force messes and in English pubs. After his time overseas, Larry would be set up in Rockliffe, Ontario until his release in 1958, upon which he returned to North Bay. Once back in town, Larry would play with Hector Cangiano and the Rhythm Rockers for a year before joining Irwin Prescott and his Mel-O-Tones. Larry also found success as a solo act, performing on television, radio, stage, and at private parties.

Green, William “Barry”

William "Barry" Green came to North Bay at the age of four, where he would spend the majority of his life. Barry studied piano with the Royal Conservarory at a young age and played in his first band, the Tri-Tones, at age eleven. Barry would go on to become a highly accomplished and sought-after keyboard player in the North Bay area. He performed, accompanied, and recorded with numerous local bands and musicians for over 30 years, including a prolific stretch in the late 1970s and 1980s with the groups Fluid Drive, Tranz-Action, and the Buffalos. Fluid Drive would record a couple singles in 1981 and Tranz-Action would record an original album in 1985, both at Tamarack Sound Studios. Outside of his playing and recording career, Barry worked at a number of music retail outlets, becoming the face of Records on Wheels where he helped countless customers expand their musical tastes and record collections. Barry and the remaining members of the Buffalos would reunite for a final performance at Cecil's Eatery in 2008.

Hamden, Gord

While attending high school in Kirkland Lake, Gord Hamden was a lead clarinetist, pit band musician, and bandleader for several groups. After living in North Bay for a year, Gord returned to Kirkland Lake to teach clarinet and saxophone for the next 31 years, while also playing with Mickey Godfrey's band, the Star Dusters. During this time, he was also a backup musician for Allan Thicke. Returning to North Bay, Gord worked for the Ministry of Education, and later Nipissing University. He also played with local musicians such as Ralph Burton, the 22 Wing Band, and the JOY Band.

Harney, Jim

Jim Harney was a fixture in North Bay's entertainment scene since he moved to the city with his family in 1983 until his untimely death. During his teen years, he performed with the North Bay Symphony and a 20 piece swing band before going on to play with many local rock, blues and country groups. Two of Jim's solo albums, "My Way Home" and "We Breathe," demonstrate his abilities as a singer/songwriter and instrumentalist. He also produced and performed on recording projects for other artists. Jim was also involved in theatre as a performer, pit band musician, and music director. He taught theatre at Canadore College, composed incidental music for local productions, and scored a rewrite of the play, The Donnellys. He recieved a special award in 2014 for his contribution to Northern Ontario music.

Laverne Hummel. Photo courtesy of the Music City Collection. Photographer unknown.

Hummel, Laverne

From fifteen years old, Laverne Hummel learned how to play the fiddle from the 78 rpm records of his idol, Don Messer. His music career began at age sixteen when he played for dances in the Trout Creek area. In 1953, he moved to North Bay and began playing fiddle for Irwin Prescott and the Mel-O-Tones. For many years, he played on the radio, TV, and made personal appearances with his friend, Irwin. Laverne also appeared on the Tommy Hunter Show. He took over as the bandleader for the Mel-O-Tones around 1965 and enjoyed a few more years of music. Laverne was inducted into the Nipissing Country Music Wall of Honour On April 1st, 2005, as well as the Northern Ontario Music Hall of Fame on November 4th, 2006. He is also a founding member of the North Bay Musicians and Entertainers Hall of Recognition.