Meet the Band
Russ Froese Bass, Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
Russ is the band’s bass player, rhythm guitarist and backup vocalist. He - like millions of teenaged boomers in the ‘60’s – picked up a guitar when he first heard the Beatles play “She Loves You” and “Twist and Shout”.
This led to several graduate garage bands, “The Sharrays”, “The Jurymen”, “Millbank Sound”, and – following that transformative album, Sergeant Pepper - “Mother Pig”. The band toured briefly throughout B.C.
Russ also played in a duo with his brother, Howard, who went on to become a member of the band, Chilliwack.
He had a 40-year hiatus to pursue a successful journalism and broadcasting career in Canada and abroad but now Russ is back doing what he loves. He is one of the founding members of the Wailers.
This led to several graduate garage bands, “The Sharrays”, “The Jurymen”, “Millbank Sound”, and – following that transformative album, Sergeant Pepper - “Mother Pig”. The band toured briefly throughout B.C.
Russ also played in a duo with his brother, Howard, who went on to become a member of the band, Chilliwack.
He had a 40-year hiatus to pursue a successful journalism and broadcasting career in Canada and abroad but now Russ is back doing what he loves. He is one of the founding members of the Wailers.
Kevin Irwin. Lead Guitar, Vocals
Kevin Irwin is the band’s lead guitarist and vocalist. Originally from Quebec, he was in a number of bands in Montreal then moved to Toronto where he played with Michael Theodore and on to Vancouver where he had stints with The Coolers and Jason Hoover. Kevin's blazing guitar work and blues/rock style gives the Wailers their dynamic sound. His is presently working on his first album, “The Long Road”, featuring all original songs. He lives in South Surrey.
Bill Brooks Keys, Bass, Rhythm Guitar, Percussion
Bill comes from a musical family and while growing up on the Prairies, studied with several well-known piano and organ teachers. Although he picked up a lot of different instruments, the organ became his instrument of choice and he taught by day and played in bands at night. The Winnipeg music scene was very active at the time, and Bill played with or backed up many groups including rock, country, R&B and Caribbean. Hundreds of people learned to play while taking lessons from Bill and he takes pride that many students went on to win prestigious competitions.
Bill owned the popular Noteworthy Music stores in Richmond and Vancouver for many years before selling in recent years. He spends his time volunteering with people with disabilities, entertaining, and providing music for the TV industry. Bill says it has been a privilege to have been able to spend a lifetime in the music industry, and he hopes to go on learning, entertaining and educating for many years more. Bill is an original of the Wailers.
Bill owned the popular Noteworthy Music stores in Richmond and Vancouver for many years before selling in recent years. He spends his time volunteering with people with disabilities, entertaining, and providing music for the TV industry. Bill says it has been a privilege to have been able to spend a lifetime in the music industry, and he hopes to go on learning, entertaining and educating for many years more. Bill is an original of the Wailers.
Terry Raible Lead Vocals, Percussion
Terry Raible is very well known in Vancouver music circles having sung with such bands as Granville, Mainland and Sterling, All About Jack, Top City and currently being the lead singer of Big City Soul. His dynamic singing style has made him a Vancouver favorite. He is excited about getting back to his R & R roots with the Wailers.
Paul Sorbara Drums
Paul Sorbara, was a touring musician in the 60s and 70s with Capital recording artists "Fat Chance" from Toronto. They played throughout the Ontario region and even performed at the "Strawberry Fields Pop Festival" in Mosport Ontario (http://ww.youtube.com/watch?v=Zq3v0ZQMncl) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strawberryfieldsfestival) to over 85,000 people alongside such bands as Ten Years After, Alice Cooper, Sly and the Family Stone, Jethro Tull, Procol Harum and Lighthouse. Fat Chance had the same manager as the legendary "Rompin Ronnie Hawkins" and Paul and Ronnie developed a very close relationship which they keep to this day. Through Ronnie, Paul had interactions with such greats as Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Levon Helm, Rick Danko, Jeff Healy and others. In 2001 Paul along with keyboardist Jim Widdifield, formed the Compound Blues band which were together for 13 years and played throughout the greater Vancouver area.
Jim Widdifield Keys, Percussion
Jim Widdifield, one of the group’s two keyboard players, comes originally from Orillia Ontario and played extensively in his younger years but gave up music for many years due to business constraints. He got back into the music scene in 2001 when he and drummer Paul Sorbara got together to form the Compound Blues Band. He was with the band for 13 years and played all over the Greater Vancouver area. Jim loves to expand his musical horizons and was fortunate to play with a number of musicians that helped to fulfill that love. Organic Sol a group in Palm Springs California comprised of Lynee Kirby, Kamau Kirby ( Frank Zappa), John Bolivar ( Aretha Franklin) and Danny Flahive ( Buddy Greco) was one such group of musicians. He also dabbled in smooth jazz with guitarist Jack Ruvio. Jim is also involved with promoting music and managing artists. Jim is honored to be involved with such a talented group of entertainers such as the Wailers.
Elliott Clarkson Saxophone
Elliott Clarkson (saxophone) has played his instrument for over 50 years. In the 60s he played with the well-known local R&B band "the Spectres." The highlight of his time with the band was when they made a guest appearance with the United Empire Loyalist opening for Cream at the Pacific Coliseum. Elliott took almost 30 years off from playing with bands starting in the 70s to concentrate on work and family, but was finally convinced to re-enter the music scene in 2006 and has played with a number of bands since that time. Elliott’s dynamic playing style make him a valuable part of the Ocean Park Wailers.
Carolyn Neapole Lead Vocals, Guitar, Percussion
Carolyn Neapole is an exciting, wise performer and a songwriter with a poet’s love of words and a painter’s eye for detail. For years a fixture on the Victoria and Vancouver music scene, Carolyn’s 2009 self titled CD, Carolyn Neapole, demonstrates her mastery of the recording studio and her leadership of a strong, supportive band.
Carolyn’s first CD release in 1999, The Letting Go, was rich with revelatory, poetic images and a haunting, supple sound. Her follow-up project in 2002 He Said, She Sang paired Neapole’s evocative music with her soaring, dynamic vocals and stunning lyrics.
Already a hugely popular, headlining live act in Victoria and Vancouver, Carolyn Neapole has expanded her fan base with regular airplay on Canadian radio. She’s a favorite with programmers at college radio, CBC AM and FM, and FM rock stations.
Winner of the West Coast M Awards Top Female Songwriter and Top Female Vocalist, Neapole has had a career of being recognized for the depth of her songwriting and the wisdom in her voice. Comparisons with Sarah McLachlan, Jann Arden, Natalie Merchant, and other pop divas only hint at Neapole’s musical gifts.
Here’s a brave, smart, exciting performer with a singular vision and a strikingly original sound.
Carolyn’s first CD release in 1999, The Letting Go, was rich with revelatory, poetic images and a haunting, supple sound. Her follow-up project in 2002 He Said, She Sang paired Neapole’s evocative music with her soaring, dynamic vocals and stunning lyrics.
Already a hugely popular, headlining live act in Victoria and Vancouver, Carolyn Neapole has expanded her fan base with regular airplay on Canadian radio. She’s a favorite with programmers at college radio, CBC AM and FM, and FM rock stations.
Winner of the West Coast M Awards Top Female Songwriter and Top Female Vocalist, Neapole has had a career of being recognized for the depth of her songwriting and the wisdom in her voice. Comparisons with Sarah McLachlan, Jann Arden, Natalie Merchant, and other pop divas only hint at Neapole’s musical gifts.
Here’s a brave, smart, exciting performer with a singular vision and a strikingly original sound.