Andre and the J-Tones
Hamilton's Rhythm and Blues Experience
The Band - Andre and the J-Tones
Frontman and Guitar
Andre Bisson “An intense, dynamic, and talented vocalist & person”. He began his gigging career at age 15 in local bars playing 50’s Rock ‘n’ Roll music such as; Elvis, Little Richard, and Chuck Berry. He accomplished a lot at this point in his life with music; at age 17 André came 11 out of 150 in the Collingwood Elvis Competition, and at 18 he joined and played in a Rhythm and Blues Band in Sault Ste Marie. Recently, he graduated from Mohawk College studying jazz voice with Bob Hamper and with opportunities to play the trumpet in the college Big Band and playing/singing in many ensembles. Today he takes lead vocalist, guitarist, and arranger of all the songs and original tunes for André and the J-Tones. Other bands he includes himself with are; an acoustic folk group that gigs around Hamilton regularly, singing and playing trumpet with the “Andre Bisson Jazz Trio”, and playing trumpet in the Loretta Hale Big Band. André teaches at Long & McQuade and at the Ontario Conservatory of Music. He is heavily influenced by The Commitments, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, Joe Cocker, and Bettye LeVette. Andre released his first CD April 2009 "Rhythm & Blues Experience" which can be purchased on iTunes, Cdbaby.com, Rhapsody, Amazon, and more.... Saxophone 
When you hear the term "Awesome Rock Sax" Kevin Matthews always comes to mind. Kevin has been playing the Saxophone for 14 years. Starting out classical, he later switched to Jazz blues and funk (which Andre and the J-Tones does an amazing job at!) As a recent Honors graduate from the Mohawk College Jazz Performance Program, Kevin is now keeping busy freelancing and teaching in the GTA. Awards he has received include an IAJE Citation for Outstanding musicianship and the Frank and Eva Palonek Scholarship. These days he plays in with Andre & the J-Tones, Back Room 11 as well as many other ensembles in the Hamilton area. This year Kevin has taken an opportunity to travel and playing in a show band on a cruiseline that travels all over.
Trumpet
"The Gal with the Golden Chops" has been playing trumpet for approximately 11 years, playing in community plays, bands, and string ensembles. She played in an older professional big band; “Big Wind” at 16 gigging regularly in Oshawa/Whitby bars and restaurants on bari-sax/trumpet. Graduating in 2005 from the Mohawk College music program she studied cello with Marsha Moffitt and some trumpet with Michael Malone and Jason Logue. While in school she played as lead trumpeter in The Mohawk College Big Band for two years as well as other ensembles playing a variety of types of music including; jazz, funk, and fusion. Presently, Loretta continues to teach, play and study while playing with Andre and the J-Tones, directing a big band downtown Hamilton, a string duo Rosetta, another string duo Strings Attached as well as many other great musical projects.
Bass
Mike Rowell is "your friendly neighborhood bass player". Mike began playing electric bass at age 15. During his high school years he played in several alternative rock bands with limited success. It was around this time Mike became more interested in jazz and blues then playing alternative rock. Mike attended Mohawk College as an electric bass major in the applied music program. After his first year, Mike made the decision to study double bass and it soon became his major for the final two years at Mohawk. During his time at Mohawk, Mike had the privalege to study with Kieran Overs, Pat Collins, and Will Jarvis. After graduating Mohawk, Mike was offered the
opportunity to work with a jazz trio on a Carnival Cruise ship, this was an opportunity he could not pass up. Currently, Mike is an in demand bassist who teaches at the Ontario Conservatory of Music, plays with Andre & the J-Tones, a few jazz trio's, as well as many other bands who are looking for that friendly neighbourhood type bass player.
Dan Rodrigues is “a Captivating Talented Guitarist, Musician, and Composer”. He started playing guitar at the age of 14 and quickly by age 17 began teaching and performing. While at
Drums
Anthony Giles is "Thee Most Intense Drummer" you'll ever see. He began performing in the Ontario drum corps scene with The Cardinals of Scarborough, Anthonys high level of potential was rapidly being exposed in provincial level competitions. In 1997, he was honoured to accept a position with the eight time world champions, Cadets of Bergen county Drum and Bugle corps; an opportunity known only to the finest drum corps percussionists in the world. While with the Cadets, Anthony performed extensively at a competitive level in various parts of the world. With the goal of broadening his musical spectrum, he began studying music performance and composition at Humber College where his uniquely creative writing style was received with considerable mention. Through this experience, Anthony established himself as a highly reputable freelance musician and composer; some of his commissioned works include television commercials for the Warner Brothers network and CBC; a featured composition for the Halton Youth Symphony; and various other performances and compositions in a wide range of musical settings. His most recent project marks the beginning of a highly influential career on the jazz fusion horizon. Anthony has just released his debut, full length CD Modality. Comprised entirely of original material, the album showcases the colourful imagination that defines Anthonys musicianship. As head of the percussion department at the Merriam School of Music, Anthony has worked significantly in the development of the percussion program and continues to motivate and inspire his students toward fullness of their potential.