Our ARTISTS and their Recordings
Stuart Laughton - ODR founder, ARTIST, EntrepReneur
A brilliant performer, Stuart Laughton studied trumpet from an early age and by the age of 19 became one of the original members of the Canadian Brass. Leaving to attend the Curtis Institute of Music, he was then appointed principal trumpet of La Scala Opera by Claudio Abbado while still a student, spending many formative years in Milan. Returning to Canada, Laughton quickly established a reputation as a trumpet concerto soloist and chamber musician playing with the Canadian-founded quintet, TRUE NORTH BRASS. Stuart founded Opening Day Records in 1993 as a means of promoting Canadian music and musicians. Honoured and well-regarded, the composer R. Murray Schafer dedicated his composition The Falcon's Trumpet to Mr. Laughton. As the global music scene changed with the entrance of technology into its space, so many more worldwide were able to explore the capability to engage unlike ever before, and, Stuart’s desire to continue to create led him back to Canadian Brass. He, Chuck, and Trey Mills with Jeff Paikin behind the scenes created a new partnership to expand ODR to become Opening Day Entertainment. Thus began the new relationship with The Brass, Stuart’s return to the trumpet chair and a whole new level of recording. A few of those recordings both before and during his chair with the group are found below. Stuart is a fun-loving, multi-talented, gracious musician, serial entrepreneur and family man. With so much more to share, we will stop here for now.
Follow Stuart on Facebook, Linkedin, and LIVE at his show, Radio Dial, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Achilles Liarmakopoulos — trombone, Producer
Achilles Liarmakopoulos is the trombonist of the legendary Canadian Brass. Achilles has toured extensively throughout North America, Europe and Asia, performing, creating, producing and educating in the world’s most important venues and institutions.
Achilles holds degrees from the Yale University School of Music, Curtis Institute of Music, San Francisco Conservatory and the Philippos Nakas Conservatory in his hometown of Athens, Greece. Upon completion of his studies, he won the position of principal trombone of the Greek Radio Symphony Orchestra. Achilles has also performed with the Malaysian Philharmonic, Jacksonville Symphony and European Union Youth Orchestra, among many others. During his downtime, Achilles can be found with his friends playing and collaborating in many musical genres, in many countries of the world.
His discography includes numerous albums. "Trombone Atrevido," “Discoveries” are contemporary works, “Tango Distinto” - Astor Piazzolla’s music, 1/2 a dozen or more now are with Canadian Brass and Numerous Appearances on both old and new classical, pop, Latin, and other musical genre albums. Achilles is a beautiful, gracious, engaging, and, inclusive industry leader to keep an eye on!
Follow Achilles on his various socials to learn more!
Anagnoson & Kinton - Piano Duo
After close to four decades of over 1000 performances together, Anagnoson & Kinton are recognized today as one of the world’s finest piano duos.
The duo has many acclaimed recordings including a special release titled Stages, which celebrated their milestone 30th season. In 2013, the Opening Day label released A &K’s tenth CD featuring works by Clementi, Beethoven and Schubert. As John Terauds of www.musicaltoronto.com shared of the recording, “The duo plays it with both strength and grace, with beautifully wrought phrases and nicely balanced dialogue.”
Like most outstanding ensembles, Anagnoson & Kinton are greater than the sum of their parts. In the words of Richard Todd of The Ottawa Citizen, “Anagnoson and Kinton’s playing is everything that duo-piano playing should be, the unanimity of those fingers would continue to astonish.”
BERNHARD SCULLY - Horn, EDUCATOR, advocate
Bernhard Scully has been described as among the elite musicians of his generation, both as a performer and pedagogue. He has stepped in and out as horn player of Canadian Brass several times, is Professor of Horn at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Artistic Director and long-standing faculty member at the Kendall Betts Horn Camp.
Bernhard tours the world over and is featured on many CDs and videos - performing in front of orchestras that include the likes of New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, National Arts Centre Orchestra, and the Toronto Symphony. Bernhard gives lectures and masterclasses that align with the content, approach and style of both the University of Illinois and The Brass.
In addition to his recordings with the Canadian Brass, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the Violon du Roy in Quebec City, Bernhard has completed several solo recording projects and is embarking, on his next one. His first solo album, Dialogue en Francais: French Masterpieces for Horn and Piano. is a collaboration with his mother, Joanne Minnetti Scully. Bernhard has recorded three volumes of the G. Schirmer Horn Collection and upon welcome to the Opening Day E Group Family released his second solo album, Windows in Time, a collaboration with the Jupiter String Quartet and Gunther Schuller on works for horn and strings. Bernhard’s next album is in the works for a 2024 Release. Bernhard’s commitment is clearly heard in his warmth and generously engaging style.
“Family at the core is everything.” Bernhard can be further found on his socials and via the University of Illinois.
Elmer Iseler Singers
The Elmer Iseler Singers (EIS), a 20-voice fully-professional choral ensemble, founded by the late Dr. Elmer Iseler in 1979, has built an enviable reputation throughout Canada, the United States and internationally through concerts, broadcasts and recordings — performing repertoire that spans 500 years, with a focus on Canadian composers. EIS present a five-concert series in Toronto each season, and are featured at concerts, workshops, and festivals throughout Canada.
Annually, EIS sponsors choral workshops through their GET MUSIC! Educational Outreach Initiative for secondary school conductors and choirs concluding with a joint public performance. In addition to Lydia Adams’ work with EIS, Lydia is conductor and artistic director of the Amadeus Choir, has engaged in many communities and institutions, and, is a formidable force in the advocacy for music education at the heart and the acknowledgment and protection of our native lands.
Giles Tomkins - Baritone
Bass-baritone Giles Tomkins is in demand as one of Canada’s leading young singers, widely recognized for his vocal virtuosity and lyricism in an impressive range of repertoire. His voice has been called “sweet but manly” complete with “lovely phrasing and beautiful placement” by Opera Canada. A Distinguished Graduate from the University of Toronto’s Opera Division, he is a frequent guest artist at the Aldeburgh Festival in England and has performed with the Toronto Operetta Theatre, Ottawa Opera Lyra, Scottish Opera, Tanglewood and Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. His roles include Don Alfonso (Cosi fan Tutte), Don Basilio (Il Barbiere de Siviglia), Somnus (Semele), Superintendent Budd (Albert Herring), Pish-Tush (The Mikado), Pistola (Falstaff), Figaro (Le Nozze di Figaro) and Colline (La Bohème). Along with opera, sacred works and art song, he is also noted for singing pop and crossover material with ease and sincerity.
Hannaford Street Silver Band
The Hannaford Street Silver Band is Canada's award winning-professional brass band and Resident Company of Toronto's St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts. Its mission is to honor the traditions of this art form and at the same time, place it in a contemporary context with a unique Canadian point of view. The HSSB has redefined what a brass band is capable of doing by facilitating innovative creative projects and collaborating with the very best of the world's and Canada's diverse cultures and outstanding artists. Established by professional musicians who love Brass Band repertoire and ensemble playing, the Hannaford Street Silver Band resides in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The HSSB maintains a vigorous commissioning program resulting in new concert works for brass band by such Canadian composers as Malcolm Forsyth, J. Scott Irvine, Andrew MacDonald, Donald Coakley, John Burge, Charles Cozens, Joan Watson, and more. One of its recent commissions, Requiem Mass for a Charred Skull by Bramwell Tovey was awarded a 2003 JUNO Award for Best Classical Composition.
H2’s
hErriotT & Harkness
Harnoy & Herriott
H2 is a musical collaboration between multi-talented flugelhorn and trumpet player Mike Herriott and guitarist Sean Harkness. H2 offers original compositions and jazz explorations of new ideas combining Sean’s guitar and Mike’s flugelhorn, along with other sidemen as needed. The group performs bouncy and relaxing tunes as well as haunting and beautiful melodies. Each create a musical rapport that pushes each along as they weave a musical tapestry.
WWW.SEANHARKNESS.COM
WWW.MIKEHERRIOTT.COM
Jeff Nelsen - Horn & Fearless performance
Edmonton-born horn virtuoso Jeff Nelsen’s chamber music experience is considerable and varied. Having joined Canadian Brass in 2000, he has performed hundreds of concerts with the world famous brass group in concert halls throughout Europe, Asia, North and South America. Prior to joining Canadian Brass, Jeff was a member of the Montreal and Vancouver Symphonies and has also sat in the horn sections of the New York Philharmonic, Boston, National, and Cincinnati Symphonies. Eager to cross musical boundaries, Jeff has played on Broadway and toured with Barry Manilow and Michael Bolton. Besides a busy performance schedule, Jeff is also on the horn faculty at Indiana University, founded and leads together with Katy Webb, FEARLESS PERFORMANCE to those both inside and outside the music sector.
Kathryn Tremills - PIano Collaborator
Kathryn Tremills has been described as "A brilliant pianist,” "a performer of amazing technical artistry and mature virtuosity," and "a remarkably perceptive and gifted musician." She is in great demand as a performer, teacher, coach and adjudicator. Kathryn holds a Doctorate in Collaborative Piano from the prestigious University of Michigan and is an alumnus of the Eastman School of Music, University of Colorado at Boulder and University of Toronto. Pianists with whom Kathryn has worked represent a virtual who’s-who of piano pedagogues, including Martin Katz, Dr. Nelita True, Angela Cheng, Marietta Orlov, Gwen Beamish and Shirley Hawkins.
In addition to performing on numerous concert series including the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival, Off Centre Music Salon, Canadian Art Song Project, Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre Thursday Noon Concerts, Kingston Cathedral Summer Concerts, Fox Island Concerts Maine and Pro Musica Detroit, Kathryn has been on the musical staff at the Canadian Opera Company. Twice a Canada Council Grant recipient, she has also appeared as a soloist with numerous orchestras in North America, including premiering a piano concerto written for her by Canadian composer Andrew Ager. The vast list of choral groups she has accompanied includes the Toronto Welsh Male Voice Choir, High Park Choirs and the world-renowned Toronto Children’s Chorus. Her extensive discography, which includes her debut solo album Dedication from 2004 and 2016 chamber album Piano Centric, also encompasses a vast array of vocal, choral and 21st century chamber music.
Kathryn is a Sessional Lecturer at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto and in summers, is a faculty member of the Centre for Opera in Sulmona, Italy (COSI) and Canadian Operatic Arts Academy (COAA).
RonALD Romm - Trumpet - Original Canadian Brass
Ronald Romm was a founding member of the world-famous Canadian Brass, performing with the group since its inception. A trumpet virtuoso without peer, he was voted one of the ‘Top 12 Brass Players of the 20th Century’ by Brass Bulletin Magazine and is an internationally recognized virtuoso, recording artist and teacher. Though born in New York, he considers himself a native Californian - he was a child prodigy who began his career as a soloist at the age of ten. After establishing a career in Los Angeles, then New York City – where he attended the Juilliard School, Ronald Romm joined the newly formed Canadian Brass and spent nearly thirty years with the history making group. In June of 2000, he retired from the group after participating in well over 4,500 concerts, 60 recordings, numerous television concert specials, videos, and hundreds of master classes. He continues to tour worldwide, is an in demand clinician for Yamaha and is a Professor of Trumpet at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Today, he is frequently accompanied by his wife Avis Romm on piano, and, his son, Aaron to form a formidable duo or trio setting. Most recently Ron and Avis played Over the Rainbow at CancerBlows 2023 in Dallas, Texas in memory of Ron’s esteemed colleague, the late Ryan Anthony and the RyanAnthonyFoundation. Please enjoy Ron and Avis’ version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow for trumpet and piano.
Ryan Anthony Foundation
Virtuoso trumpeter Ryan Anthony was most notably known for his varied career as soloist, educator, chamber musician, orchestral player until 2012 at which time Mr Anthony was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a rare blood and bone marrow cancer. Out of this new journey with the support of his beautiful wife, Niki, Ryan founded the Ryan Anthony Foundation and together in 2015, launched the extraordinary, Cancer Blows Event with his musical family at Dallas Symphony Orchestra by his side. Some of the most extraordinary trumpets from across the world flew in to participate in support. Having departed the world-renowned brass ensemble Canadian Brass in 2003, Anthony quickly became one of the most sought-after trumpet players in America. Ryan served as principal trumpet for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Colorado Symphony, and played in the sections of New York Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra and Israel Philharmonic, but, most notably, sat first chair for his beloved Dallas Symphony Orchestra. After an 8 year long battle, Ryan passed June 23, 2020. His cherished lifelong partner, Niki, continues to carry on the legacy at the Ryan Anthony Foundation, and in the production of Cancer Blows events across the continent in the ongoing search for a cure of a cancer that can not yet be cured. Please enjoy Pete Meechan’s composition written for his dear friend, Ryan and his family at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra to share worldwide in a SONG FOR HOPE.
Sean Kelly - Guitar
Sean Kelly is a Toronto based guitarist, songwriter, author, educator, music director, and producer. Sean has toured the world in his current role as lead guitarist for Nelly Furtado, and has recorded and/or toured with a number of award winning artists, including Lee Aaron, Helix, Gilby Clarke (Guns N Roses), Carole Pope and Rough Trade, Honeymoon Suite, Doc Walker, Howie D (Backstreet Boys), Andee, Coney Hatch, The Canadian Brass, The Kenyan Boys Choir, Wild Strawberries and many others. He has recorded Top 10 Billboard charting classical guitar albums for Opening Day Entertainment Group, and he was the lead vocalist and guitarist for Century Media recording artists Crash Kelly. There is so much going on with Sean, we recommend following him online and in person in various settings!
Looking for a former member of Opening Day and their Recordings not listed here? Looking to submit a demo or discuss a collaborative project? Head over to the contact page to be in touch.