L-R,
Standing: Dennis Hammerstedt, Tom
Jestadt, Hector Bremner
Seated: Bill Petrie
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In the sixties, I got a
part-time job in the piano department at
Eatons. There, I became friends with
Jim Gillies who mentored me from classical
piano to jazz. He was a very
important and influential individual in my
life at that time. I also became
friends in the piano department with Jose
Poneira and took a lesson or two from him.
I joined the Al Sprintz band in the late
sixties at the Club Morocco, playing
Hammond organ and piano. Members of
the band were Al Sprintz, Bill Brandt, Del
Wagner and myself. We provided dance
music and backed a steady supply of acts.
Later Del Wagner and I left to open Koko's
on Portage Avenue, and Dennis Hammerstedt
joined us. - The Koko Nuts!
Then it must have been a year later I
moved back to the Club Morocco with Dennis
Hammerstedt on guitar, Tom Jestadt on
drums, firstly Tony Francis and then
Hector Bremner on vocals.
During this time we recorded one CBC
session for Jazz Canadiana, played with
Jimmy King's band at one of the concerts
in the park series, and 'sat in' at
various Saturday afternoon jazz events.
Eventually we left the Club Morocco and
started as the house band at the New Town
and Country. Shortly after this I
moved out to the coast. The last act
I played for was Natalie Cole.
During this period I was also organist at
John Black Memorial, Church of Christ
disciples, and the chapel at St John's
College at the U of M.
Bill Petrie
February 2014
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