BASSIST
Mark Howe is an extraordinary bassist and has mastered the groove to any genre but specializes in Funk, Soul & Blues. He played as a fill in bassist with The Jeff Healy Band in the mid 80's before the “See The Light” album. He played 3 years with The Jimmy Dooley Band from The Platters and did a fill in tour with Amanda Marshall. Mark led his own band, Spectrum, from 1982 to 2020 until he became the full time bassist for GARNETTA CROMWELL & DaGROOVMASTERS.
LEAD GUITARIST
Toshi Otani was born and raised on Japan's most northern island of Hokkaido. When he was 12 years old, he taught himself to play by listening to the radio and records. His first experience playing the blues was at the age of 19, as a bass player. In 2005, he moved to New York and joined a band called East Village Pharmacy and recorded an album. He spent many years in Tokyo's lively Chicago-style blues scene before relocating to the Niagara region in 2013 and then to Hamilton 2019.
SAXOPHONIST
Colombian born sax player Juan Arce graduated from York University with an honours degree in fine arts, specializing in jazz performance. He started his musical career in 2003 working with his father at an early age. Since then, he has developed a highly versatile playing style performing, recording, and touring with several jazz, funk and pop ensembles as well as various latin groups and salsa orchestras. Juan has collaborated on several projects with Toronto band Shuffle Demons, and performed with several international latin artists, including Gabriel Romero, Luis Felipe Gonzales, and Armando Hernandez, among others.
DRUMMER
Robin Houston was born in a small Northern Ontario community. His mother was a musician and he always listened to her play the piano, which inspired him to pick up a set of drum sticks. Robin received his first drumkit when he was 8 years old. Robin played with local bands and would often sub in when needed. Robin moved to Southern Ontario in 1980 and his drums were a hobby until he joined The Whiskey Chasers, a band from the Hamilton, ON region. He continued to play with The Whiskey Chasers until he fully committed to become the full time drummer for GARNETTA CROMWELL & DaGROOVMASTERS.