Bios
Willy Ward
Willy (lead vocals, trumpet and keys) along with Paul Sorbara were the catalysts that put the band together. Willy is a veteran of the Vancouver music scene and has sung with the R & B All Stars and has also played lead trumpet with Tom Lavin and the Powder Blues Band. Willy’s gritty vocal styling is very reminiscent of David Clayton Thomas of Blood Sweat and Tears, and in fact, Willy actually auditioned with the band in LA to fill the lead singer’s position. Willy has also done lengthy stints on the cruise ship circuit and brings a wealth of experience to the group. He is an entertainer in the true sense of the word and is a great front man for the group.
Paul Sorbara
Paul Sorbara, the co-founder of the group 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. Paul also currently plays with the Ocean Park Wailers.
Jim Widdifield
Jim Widdifield the group’s keyboard player comes originally from Orillia Ontario and was classically trained 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. He has also played with groups in California including ‘Organic Sol" where he was fortunate enough to play alongside Kamau Kirby ( Frank Zappa), John Bolivar (Aretha Franklin, Lou Rawls, B.B. King), and Danny Flahive (Buddy Greco). Jim also plays at the present time with the Ocean Park Wailers.
Elliott Clarkson
Elliott Clarkson (saxophone) has played his instrument for over 50 years. In the 60s Elliott 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 Cooler Kings.
Paulo Silva
The band’s bass player has come to us all the way from Portugal. Paulo Silva immigrated to Canada in 1970. He didn’t pick up the bass until he was 32 years old and was influenced by a lot of 70s music such as Santana, Led Zeppelin, Earth Wind and Fire and the Doobie Brothers. Paul loves to play not only R&B but Latin, funk, blues and jazz. Paul has played for over 20 years with an Italian wedding band catering to the Italian and Portuguese communities and still donates his time to play in the Portuguese Marching Band. He has also played in many local jazz, classic rock and blues bands.
Leonard Bodin
Leonard Bodin, the bands lead guitar player is originally from LA and was classically trained on the violin but picked up the guitar in the mid-60s and was influenced at the time by the folk movement, and later by the psychedelic sounds of such groups as the Grateful Dead and then finally the roots of the blues. Leonard moved to Vancouver in 2007 where he discovered a thriving blues community and has played with many great Vancouver artists at local clubs and jams. Leonard produces a very silky sound from his Telecaster.
Renee Dora Cook
Renee has dabbled in music of all kinds for over 30 years. She has played with several bands and ensembles. From Orchestras ,to String Quartets, to Mariachi trios, to good old Rock and Roll bands. Her musical endeavours have taken her to many places across the globe including Russia, Amsterdam and Australia.
Since starting off with classical violin at the age of three, she has expanded her horizons to include Jazz, Blues, Rock and Pop. From time to time she can also be found tickling the ivories, strumming on a guitar or providing great lead and harmony vocals. Renee is the newest member of the Cooler Kings and the group is honored to have been able to add someone with her exceptional musical talents.
Renee has dabbled in music of all kinds for over 30 years. She has played with several bands and ensembles. From Orchestras ,to String Quartets, to Mariachi trios, to good old Rock and Roll bands. Her musical endeavours have taken her to many places across the globe including Russia, Amsterdam and Australia.
Since starting off with classical violin at the age of three, she has expanded her horizons to include Jazz, Blues, Rock and Pop. From time to time she can also be found tickling the ivories, strumming on a guitar or providing great lead and harmony vocals. Renee is the newest member of the Cooler Kings and the group is honored to have been able to add someone with her exceptional musical talents.
Bill Brooks
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 still volunteers his time working with people with disabilities here in the Semiahmoo area. It is a privilege to have been able to spend a lifetime in the music industry, and Bill hopes to go on learning, entertaining and educating for many years more.
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 still volunteers his time working with people with disabilities here in the Semiahmoo area. It is a privilege to have been able to spend a lifetime in the music industry, and Bill hopes to go on learning, entertaining and educating for many years more.