Mackenzie to McFarlane

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

Ann Mackenzie. Photo courtesy of the Falconi Collection. Photographer unknown.

Mackenzie, Ann

Ann Mackenzie was born in Sault Ste. Marie. At age seven, she began learning the cornet and moved onto the piano shortly after, eventually obtaining diplomas from the Univeristy of Toronto Conservatory of Music at the age of thirteen. Ann played for a variety of bands and events, including the Ed Pearce City Wide Orchestra, and for Remembrance Day commemerations. In 1953, Ann joined the Airwomen RCAF North Bay Military Band and became involved with dance bands, competitions, and various ceremonies, later becoming involved with church services in the 1960's into the late 1970's. Ann also joined the North Bay Concert Band in 1983.

Wilf Manning. Photo courtesy of the Music City Collection. Photographer unknown.

Manning, Wilf

Wilf Manning had an active music career. He conducted community bands in Gravenhurst and Bracebridge for three years before moving the British Columbia, where he taught in multiple high schools. In 1962, he returned to Ontario, settling in Fort Frances before moving to North Bay in 1965, where he taught at Widdifield Secondary School until his retirement. Wilf has been involved in many music festivals, both locally and provincially, and has been very active in music groups around the province. He also held many positions in the musical community. He was president of the North Bay Musicians' Association for ten years, national president of the Canadian Band Directors' Association for three years, a board member of the Ontario Chapter of the Canadian Band Directors' Association for twelve years, and Band Contest Directors for the CNE for three years.

Armand “Nick” Mantha. Photo courtesy of the Falconi Collection. Photographer unknown.

Mantha, Armand “Nick”

Armand "Nick" Mantha began playing the trombone in 1933 when he joined the North Bay Boys' Band under the direction of Maurice Wilson, a band that would later be known as the ACT Boys' Band. In 1946, Nick joined the Temiscaming and Northern Ontario Railway Band under the direction of Edigio Virgili, and became a member of the 8th Field Squadron Band in 1949. When the 8th Field Squadron Band disbanded, Nick became a member of the North Bay Concert Band and eventually became President of that band. he was also a member of the 22 Wing Band and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 23. Nick passed away on November 9th, 2001.

Marceau, Joseph Anthony “Tony”

Joseph Anthony "Tony" Marceau taught himself how to play several instruments while attending Scollard Hall Boys' College, and became a member of his first band, the Rhythmaires, when he was seventeen. Somewhere in the late 1970's to early 1980's, Tony formed Station A, a band which played in many local venues and at the original Heritage Festival and the Country Music Open Contest. He was also nominated to be the president of the Nipissing Branch of the American Federation of Musicians.

Marmino, Jim

Jim Marmino's musical career started in 1972. Since then, he has performed at many weddings and sung as a church cantor, but his greatest contribution to North Bay's musical history was the promotion and production of musical events supporting local charities. Jim spearheaded the bursaries donated to students of Art and Music, sent Andrew Gallardi to study piano in Italy, arranged for Juan Perrone, a classical guitarist, to perform at high schools, and brought Gino Falconi's school band from Toronto. In the late 1980's, Jim brought the North Bay Symphony and the Davedi Club Men's Choir together to raise two thousand dollars. Jim also donated five thousand dollars to the Alzheimer's Society from a Four Lads Concert.

Norm Mauro. Photo courtesy of the Music City Collection. Photographer unknown.

Mauro, Norm

Norm Mauro was born August 12th, 1921 in Bracebridge, Ontario. He began singing in North Bay in 1958 with the Pat Pizzoli Band. Eventually, he took over as leader of the band and renamed it the Norm Mauro and the Count Five Orchestra, later the Norm Mauro Orchestra. Norm's music was inspired by the Big Band era and the sound of Guy Lombardo, Jimmy Dorsey etc. During his thirty-three year music career, his band performed in the North Bay area, but also performed in Sturgeon Falls, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, Englehart, New Liskeard, Mattawa, Temiscaming, Renfrew, Callander, Powassan, Sundridge, Burks Falls, Bracebridge, and Toronto. Norm passed away November 8th, 2002. In 2004, the Norm Mauro Memorial Award was established with Nipissing University and awarded annually.

Brian McDowell. Photo courtesy of the Music City Collection. Photographer unknown.

McDowell, Brian

Brian McDowell was born on April 23, 1947. He studied guitar with Russ Smith and went on to study music and classical guitar at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. After completing the Conservatory requirements and receiving his ARCT, Brian became a member of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers' Association. He was honoured with a "Special Teacher" award in 2006. Brian has performed many solo recitals and played with multiple bands, including Peppertree, the Prophets, Cecil, Brickhouse, Oasis, After Hours, and Manhattan.

Grenville “Curly” McFarlane. Photo courtesy of the Music City Collection. Photographer unknown.

McFarlane, Grenville “Curly”

Grenville "Curly" McFarlane began his musical career in the early 1930s, opening the radio station CFCH for Lord Thomson. Soon after, he formed a group called the "North Range Cowboys," which played over CFCH until the early 1950s. After moving to Toronto, Curly continued his career by playing and travelling with multiple groups, including his brothers, Don and Stan, and his sister, June. They appeared on Cliff McKay's TV show "Holiday Ranch. Curly was also a lifetime member of the Toronto Musicians' Union. He passed away on June 18th, 1981.

Donald M. “Don” McFarlane. Photo courtesy of the Music City Collection. Photographer unknown.

McFarlane, Donald M. “Don”

Donald M. "Don" McFarlane was well known in the country music circles. He began his musical career in North Bay with his brothers, Curly and Stan, and his sister, June. Later, he moved to Toronto and performed on the radio and TV, appearing on Cliff McKay's "Holiday Ranch." Don was a life member of the Toronto Musicians' Union. He passed away on August 26th, 1987

June McFarlane. Photo courtesy of the Music City Collection. Photographer unknown.

McFarlane, June

June McFarlane was the sister of Curly, Don and Stan McFarlane. Starting her musical career in North Bay, she was one of the first female warblers of western and country music, and performed in numerous Toronto clubs, television, radio, and the Canadian National Exhibition. In 1953, she accepted an offer to sing on the Hayloft Hoedown, a program broadcast over the CKEY radio station.