T H E---L I N C O L N S----- L I N E - U P


Prakash John - Bass/Vocals: Born in Bombay, India, John immigrated to Toronto in 1960. A late bloomer, he picked up his instrument for the first time at the age of 17. His first 'high school' band was appropriately named The Questions. John quickly moved on to his first paying gig with a 'Beatle' band called The Bounders which soon after was renamed The Press Gang in 1965. The following year John restored his soul music passion, forming his first R&B group, The Trikq, which served as the stellar rhythm section for John's next collaboration in 1967 with George Olliver & The Soul Children. John completed his first recording with local club favourites The Majestics.

He was quickly in demand as a bassist in Toronto, and in 1969 began his broader career with the Canadian band Bush. Bush, the successor to Canadian band Mandala, was largely the brainchild of two Canadians, drummer Penti 'Whitey' Glan and guitarist Domenic Troiano; although Bush only lasted a year and a half, its influence among rock musicians was significant. After two albums with Bush, the second released under Troiano's name as a debut album, John became an respected player in the Los Angeles scene, playing with heavy hitters Edgar Winter and Rick Derringer (White Trash) as well as Bobby Whitlock (Derek & the Dominos). At the same time John was active as a teacher, coaching such luminaries as Nick St. Nicholas (Steppenwolf), Kenny Gradney (Delaney & Bonnie and Little Feat) and Rosemary Butler (Birtha).

John was recruited in 1971 by 'funk master' George Clinton to work with the Parliament/Funkadelic on the albums Chocolate City and America Eats Its Young while sharing bass playing duties with Bootsy Collins on tour with P-Funk. He later appeared on several famous rock albums and tours of the 1970s such as Lou Reed's epic Rock n Roll Animal, Lou Reed Live and Sally Can't Dance, as well as Alice Cooper's enormous hit Welcome to My Nightmare, The Alice Cooper Show, Lace and Whiskey, and Dada. John was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 as a member of Parliament Funkadelic.

John left mainstream rock in 1979, returning to Toronto to found his second R&B band, The Lincolns, one of the last bands now remaining which represent the now-famous Toronto Sound of the late 1960s. The Lincolns are well-known, and highly regarded by musicians worldwide; the "King" of Canadian celebrity, Wayne Gretzky chose The Lincolns to play at his 1988 wedding in Edmonton. The Lincolns remain active throughout Canada, and have released two albums, Take One and Funky Funky Funky.
As a solo artist, John has continued to amass impressive credentials working with such international stars as 'Godfather of Soul' James Brown, Paul Shaffer, The Blues Brothers, blues legends Pinetop Perkins, Jr. Wells and Mike Bloomfield in addition to Rory Block and Canadian songwriter Murray Mclauchlin. John also appeared in the film Blues Brothers 2000.

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photo by Ray Vela
Steve Ambrose - Lead Vocal: Steven was raised, the son of a gospel singer, in Toronto, Canada. Summer holidays were spent singing Gospel with dad and brothers touring the U.S.A and Canada. His music remained a family thing all through his teens and 20s with recording and performing projects. Steven says "I sang harmony with my brother James on his first recording in New York 1967." Finally, he could wait no more and went downtown to sing with bar bands. 1979 was a very interesting year. Steven sang around Toronto with 3 or 4 of the hottest bands (just guesting). He had a unique approach to Rhythm & Blues and so it was an obvious good choice for Prakash John, having spent 5 years touring and recording with Alice Cooper and Lou Reed, to pick Ambrose as the lead singer of The Lincolns. The Lincolns, from day one in 1979, were a hit and continue to be a hit to this day.






photo by Ray Vela
Vezi Tayyeb - Guitar/Vocals: Vezi has been involved in the Canadian music industry for over 25 years. As a record producer, engineer, songwriter and composer, he has worked with such artists as Alannah Myles, Daniel Lanois, Murray McLauchlan, The Drifters, Teenage Head, and countless others. He also performs his own songs throughout Canada and is currently recording his second CD. The first one is entitled "Army of Angels" and features some of Canada's finest musicians.







photo by Ray Vela
Denis Keldie - Keyboards: As a studio musician Denis Keldie has over a hundred albums to his credit, as well as numerous film and TV projects; including last years Celtic Electric and the Rankins Christmas Caberet for CBC /Salter Street Prod.

Recent CD's include , Lucid Dreaming, Rita Coolidge with Ry Cooder, Natalie McMaster, Jeff Healy, Prairie Oyster, The Boomers, Eddie Shwartz, Jesse Cook, Stompin' Tom Connors, The Lincolns, The Extras, King Biscuit Boy, The Stampeders, Gordie Sampson, Etta James and TV and live appearances with The Rankins, Colin James, Jann Arden, Amy Sky, Ashley McIsaac, Bruce Guthro, Crowbar and many others.

As an instrumentalist, he plays Hammond organ, piano, all keyboards including his selection of vintage keys, accordion, Guitar, Bass, Mandolin and Mandola. At present he is finishing the first CD of the Denis Keldie Trio.


photo by Ray Vela
Michael Fonfara - Keyboards: Fonfara is a much sought after player and world-class arranger/producer of many of today's artists, with over 35 years of experience in live music, radio and television productions. His knowledge of quality studio sound effects and musical soundtracks is vast. In the mid sixties, Micheal joined The Electric Flag on their rcording project "Long Time Coming". Next, Michael joined another top recording act called Rhinoceros in 1967. Their smash hit entitled "Apricot Brandy" was co-written by Michael on the Album "Rhinoceros 1968". Their fame allowed Rhinoceros to play on many stages with such great late rock icons as Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. Michael stayed with this combo for approximately five years and recorded three complete albums during that time frame. In 1972, Michael joined a new band called Blackstone. He was elated to be in the studio again as they recorded their legendary LP called "On the Line". This successful venture with Blackstone opened the door to other coveted recording sessions with the likes of The Everly Brothers, Loving Spoonful's John Sebastian and Ry Cooder.

Michael next recorded seven LP's with Lou Reed; the albums, "The Bells" and "Take No Prisoners", were produced by Michael as well as co-writing and production credits on "Growing up In Public". Michael has added immeasurably to hundreds of recording sessions. To name just a few - Rough Trade, Tycoon, Foreigner, The Lincolns, B.B. King, Booker T & the M.G's, Joe Mavety, Peter Sabourin, Scott MacKinnon, Rodeo Drive, Blue Willow, Trick Bag, Kim Remus, The Greivous Angels, and the list goes on and on.

photo by Ray Vela
Jordan John - Drums/Guitar/Vocals: Jordan records music and performs live throughout North America. He has already performed as a drummer with the likes of Prince, Jeff Healey, Lucky Peterson, the legendary bluesman Pinetop Perkins, Kevin Breit, Burton Cummings and Jake Langley, to name but a few. In addition you will find Jordan on tour with a variety of great artists such as Cuban Harmonica virtuoso Carlos Del Junco, Canada's premier rhythm & blues band The Lincolns and Canadian blues guitar monster on the US 'Chitlin Circuit'- Shawn Kellerman.

After being awarded scholarships to prestigious schools at the Berklee College of Music and the University of Toronto, Jordan managed to escape Humber College where he had attempted music studies in voice and percussion. In tandem with dynamic guitarist Mike Branton, A sixteen year old Jordan John commenced singing behind the drums in his own band The Blues Angels, performing regularly in the Toronto area from 2002 to 2006. One auspicious night in a nightclub, Canadian guitar legend Freddy Keeler sat-in with the Blues Angels; Jordan was never the same. He swore from that moment on that he wanted to play the guitar just like Keeler. Only months later in late 2005, while away in California recording an album, Jordan was given a Fender Telecaster guitar as a gift from his employer and friend Stu Heydon.

As of May 2007, this budding young entertainer has been fronting his own band captivating audiences with his voice and turning heads with his guitar and keyboard playing. His funky bass playing is strictly under wraps for now lest he nudge his famous father, Prakash John, out of a job. Jordan is presently working on a recording series with two world renowned recording producers, John Capek and Rob Fraboni, with sights on Europe and the USA.


photo by Ray Vela
John Panchyshyn - Saxaphone/Vocals
Russ Little - Trombone: While studying at U of Toronto, he played in hotel orchestras and with an R&B band, the Silhouettes. After graduation he worked in Woody Herman's big band and was a member of Lighthouse and the Boss Brass. He also has led or played in Toronto studio orchestras and appeared with small bands in the city's jazz clubs. In 1990 he introduced the Russ Little Big Band, which played his arrangements of the standard jazz repertoire at Rockit and other Toronto nightspots. Of Little's jazz trombone style, Peter Goddard wrote: 'Its roots lie somewhere in bop by way of rhythm and blues, with a funky, edgy tone that bites little phrases out. With a small group his solos swarm with notes, looping in and around a melody line'.
Little was music director for many Canadian TV variety series in the late 1970s and the 1980s (eg, CTV's 'The Patsy Gallant Show,' 'Shake, Rock and Roll,' and 'Circus') and served in similar roles for the Miss Canada and Miss Teen Canada pageants (some 15 years each) and industrial shows. His compositions include Black Hallelujah (a collaboration with Norman Symonds, telecast by the CBC in 1971), Cosmic Orpheus (commissioned and 1974-5 performed by the New York City Ballet), scores for film and TV documentaries and features, TV signature tunes and incidental music, jingles, and songs recorded by Salome Bey ('Try,' 'Paper Man,' etc), Dusty Springfield, and others. Little's own recordings include CBC broadcast LPs in the LM series and albums with the Boss Brass and Lighthouse.

photo by Ray Vela
Tony Carlucci - Trumpet/vocals: Tony has been on the freelance music scene in Toronto as a trumpeter/flugalhornist for over 30 years. As a top session player he has backed such notable artists such as Corey Hart, The spoons, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Frozen Ghost, Alfie Zappacosta, The Lincolns, The Drifters, Don Rickles, Canadian Idol either live and or in the studio. He is also an experienced lead trumpeter in Big Bands and Latin ensembles such as Fantasia, Domenicanada, NOJO, Toronto's Glen Miller band and Jim Galloway. He is currently recording sessions for the Solitudes label.







photo by Ray Vela