Lamothe to Lucenti’s Capitol Orchestra

North Bay has been home to a wide variety of talented musicians since its founding in 1882. This page lists musicians and bands from Lamothe to Lucenti’s Capitol Orchestra.

Leo Oliver Lamothe. Photo courtesy of the Music City Collection. Photographer unknown.

Lamothe, Leo Oliver

In his earlier years, Leo Oliver Lamothe was well known as a musician, performing with groups such as Nick Cangiano's Orchestra, Curly McFarlane and His North Range Cowboys, Vic Virgili and the Laurentian Valley Boys, the Northernaires, and the Alley Cats. He also formed his own band, the Westernaires, who were regularly featured on CFCH radio. On September 27th, 2003, Leo was inducted into the Nipissing Country Music Association Wall of Honour. He passed away on July 14th, 2008.

Ernest Willard Lidkea. Photo courtesy of the Music City Collection. Photographer unknown.

Lidkea, Ernest Willard

Ernest Willard Lidkea was born in North Bay on November 11, 1902. In 1921, he joined the Ontario Northland Railway in the audit department, serving in various clerical capacities until July 1957 when he was appointed assistant auditor of dispersements. A year later on August 1, 1958, he was appointed auditor of dispersements and served in that role until he retirement on June 1, 1962. Ernest was also an accomplished musician and played saxophone with the Northernaires. He passed away February 22, 1963.

Liesmer, Rosemary (nee Gilbride)

Rosemary Liesmer was born in Dalkeith, Scotland in 1924 as Rosemary Gilbride. She came to Canada with her family in 1927 and settled in Thunder Bay. It was here that she received her music training. She moved to North Bay in 1964 and taught Kindergarten for the Nipissing District Roman Catholic Separate School Board. After teaching for a few years, she left to stay home with her family, returning to the education profession in 1972 as music supervisor and consultant with the NDRCSSB. Her job was to set up a music program for all the schools within the school board. Although she retired from this position in 1981, her years as a consultant was far from over. She was very active in providing the city with musical entertainment through productions such as "A Toast to Our Town," "One Hour with Me," and "Ave." Rosemary passed away on November 6, 1984.

Jack Lockhart. Photo courtesy of the Falconi Collection. Photographer unknown.

Lockhart, Jack

Jack Lockhart was born in Selkirk, Manitoba in 1939. He went to North Bay Collegiate in the 1950's, the North Bay Teacher's College in 1958, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Ontario in 1966. In 1974, he received his Masters of Education from the University of Toronto. Jack is a talented artist who has exhibited paintings all over Ontario and has sold over 14,000 paintings throughout the world. Musically, Jack is self-taught on the tenor saxophone, clarinet, accordion, and organ, and has played with the 8th Field Squadron and the North Bay Area Band.

Longstreet, Eugene Orlo “Gene”

Eugene Orlo "Gene" Longstreet was born in 1922. After his wartime service in the RCAF, he moved to Timmins and became an accomplished jazz pianist, as well as the music director of CFCH-TV Timmins and hosted various shows. In 1966, he moved to North Bay and organized a number of bands. He performed at various venues throughout the area, and was featured in a variety of television programs. Gene also mentored local jazz musicians and backed some of Toronto's finest jazz artists. He passed away September 27, 2000.

Linda Lopata (nee Morland). Photo courtesy of the Falconi Collection. Photographer unknown.

Lopata, Linda (nee Morland)

Linda Lopata, born Linda Morland, was taught music by Jim Sharp, who strongly influenced her love of music. In grade 5, Mr. Sharp taught Linda the recorder, and later introduced his students to the violin. While attending Algonquin Composite School, Linda played the trumpet and French horn, and also played with the Algonquin Composite School Band. She also finished her grade 8 piano and grade 2 theory during this time, and played trumpet and French horn with the North Bay Citizen's Band. After high school, Linda received her Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Western Ontario.

Carl Lucenti. Photo courtesy of the Falconi Collection. Photographer unknown.

Lucenti, Carl

Carl Lucenti was born in Pietro Vita on December 8th, 1911. He arrived in Canada as a young child and attended St. Mary's School and North Bay Collegiate. As an adult, Carl worked for Canadian Oil for twenty-five years before going into a real estate and insurance business with Andy Demarco. Carl was also a community-oriened man and served on both the Public and Separate School Boards for twenty-eight years. He was chairman for a year, chainman of North Bay's Committee of Adjustment, president of St. Rita's Home and School Club, a member of the North Bay Planning Board, and a member of the advisory committe at Northeastern University. Carl was also public relations chairman for the Widdifield Lions' Club and a member of their barbershop quartet, and the founder and first president of the Davedi Club. Musically, Carl played trombone with the Temiscaming and Northern Ontario Railway Band, as well as the Lucenti Orchestra. He also played the mandolin, guitar, and clarinet. Carl passed away in 1981.

Carmel Lucenti. Photo courtesy of the Falconi Collection. Photographer unknown.

Lucenti, Carmel

Carmel Lucenti began his musical career in 1926 while he was in high school, teaching himself to play guitar and mandolin. In 1927, he received his first trumpet lesson from Egidio Virgili. Six months later, he joined the school orchestra at North Bay Collegiate, playing with them for a year before forming his own five piece band. During his high school years, Carmel was frequently asked to play trumpet with the Bert Lehman Orchestra for larger dances. In 1930, he and his brother, Rocco, formed a seven piece band that would be known as the CFCH Studio Orchestra. When Jack Nelson, the manager of the Capitol Theatre, wanted to organize a Capitol Orchestra, more instruments and musicians were added and the band became the Rocco Lucenti Capitol Orchestra. The orchestra was broadcasted from coast to coast for thirteen weeks, live from the Capitol Theatre stage. In 1939, many of the musicians left to join the army, navy, or air force, and Rocco retired from the orchestra, leaving Carmel to take over as band leader from 1940 to 1946. As well as playing trumpet, Carmel was also the Master of Ceremonies for the new Lucenti Orchestra. He also played for many of the community bands including the T&NO Band, the 8th Field Squadron Band, the Citizens' Band, the North Bay Area Band, and the North Bay Concert Band.

Rocco Lucenti. Photo courtesy of the Falconi Collection. Photographer unknown.

Lucenti, Rocco

Rocco Lucenti was born in Pietro Vita, Coscenza, coming to Canada at the age of two. He was taught music by Egidio Virgili and taught himself how to play alto horn, trumpet, mandolin, and violin under Mr. Virgili's guidance. Rocco played with the Christopher Columbus Band and the North Bay Citizens' Band, and was intrumental in the amalgamation of the two to form the Premier Band. He also played in the pit of the Royal Theatre for silent movies, as well as many violin solos for multiple band concerts. Rocco formed his first small band called the Hub Orchestra, which played for jitney dances in the Blue Room and Roses Room, which were on Main Street. Rocco also organized the Rocco Lucenti Orchestra, which became popular in the 1930's and 1940's.

Lucenti’s Capitol Orchestra

Lucenti's Capitol Orchestra was a 10-piece band which played for many dances and events during the 1930's and 1940's. Rocco Lucenti was the band leader, with his brother, Carmel, taking it on after Rocco's retirement. Members of the band included Carmel on trumpet, Bill Dadson on trombone, Clare Stewart, Leo Chipparone and Addie Spina on saxophone, Ivor Iles on piano, Ned Ciaschine on accordion, Caddy Petrolia on bass violin, and Charlie Parslow on drums. The orchestra performed regularly on Saturday nights at the Masonic Temple, as well as at dances held in North Bay and surrounding areas. They also made multiple CBC radio broadcasts.