DESCRIPTION:
Featuring the great vocalists Bernard Quilala (Canadian Idol / David Foster) & Samantha King (Edmonton Oilers / Keith Urban) / Marc Beaudin Bass / Arranger / Bandleader
Steve Gallant Drums
Serge Soucy Keys
Peter Belec Gtr
Sarah Matheson BariSax
Carlsten Rubeling Trombone
Jim Brenan Alto Sax
Jon Day Trumpet
Johnny Summer Trumpet

THE RETROFITZ is…
party band of 11-musicians I started in March 2005 in Edmonton, just for fun. Many people told me it’d never work, even my closest friends: “too big”, “too different”, “too funky”, “party bands don’t have a 5-horn section”, “won’t be able to pay the players in it”. Well.. I did not listen and I did it anyway. I started to write charts for the horns and rhythm section. Lots of charts… 40 to be exact! I’m not especially talented so it took me lots of time. But why do that, why put that much work in a band. Why? because I love music. I grew up in Quebec. When I was a kid, my dad played some big band music in the house. Loving the horns, I learned music. I loved how it feels to be emerged in communal musical sounds & grooving in a band that’s cooking. Later on, I joined the military band. After a while, I started The Retrofitz, just to do something different while being in a soldier that plays music. You could call it, professional development or a way to broaden one’s musical horizon in terms of leadership, arranging, feel playing. Plus, it’s lots of fun :-) like driving a race car on a track!
The idea was: THE RETROFITZ's kickin' rhythm section, groovin' horns and soulful vocals. Something based on the great bands from the 60s, 70s, 80s
(i.e. JB, Tower of Power, Sly, Earth Wind & Fire)
At first, The FITZ had the great singers & performers Christian Mena & Kelly Alannah; then Jodie Leslie & Jesse Lipscombe. Nowadays, the band’s singers are mainly Bernard Quilala (affectionately Bruno Mars cousin :-) & Samantha King (musical boner diva).
With tailored made musical arrangements, the band plays cover party tunes & get people dancing. We’re not trying to educate anyone, just grooving hard and keeping live music, alive.
You’re definitely invited to subscribe my channel or to write a comment, like or don’t.
“Keep it live and alive”
Thanks for watching
Marc Beaudin