Band Biography

The Kevin Williams Band has been entertaining in Southern Ontario for more than a decade, including jazz coffee houses, the Glenhyrst Art Gallery, and the Brantford Jazz Festival, among others.

The band’s sound is jazz-informed with a modern influence. Funk, neo-soul, latin, light pop, and jazz standards form most of the repertoire, including originals and arrangements that showcase the members’ talents. They aim to constantly increase repertoire with new sounds, collaborating creatively. They have on occasion had vocalists join in on the fun. 

Its members are Kevin Williams (trumpet and flugelhorn), Andre Gignac (bass), David Martin (guitar), Samuel Daniels (drum kit), and Mary Ann Gorcsi (keyboard/organ). The group's members have played in many other projects over the years. Read their individual bios to learn more!

Trumpet, flugelhorn, song-writing, bad jokes

Kevin Williams plays the trumpet and flugelhorn in the KWB. After starting music lessons on piano at a young age, Kevin switched to the trumpet at the age of 10. The next several years saw Kevin involved in various band ensembles and doing well in solo music festival competitions near and far. Summer music camps was also a great learning opportunity. Kevin also taught trumpet years later at a local music school for approx 10 years.

He has enjoyed performing all different styles on the trumpet including classical, sacred, gospel and big band but lately enjoys the smaller jazz ensembles and participating in a more creative process including some composition with his wife Mary Ann.

Kevin dedicates and pays homage to his early teacher and mentor Wilfred Manning.

Keyboard, organ, song-writing

Mary Ann Gorcsi has played keyboards since age 9. She holds an ARCT from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Piano Performance and a B Hon Mus in Theory and Composition from University of Western Ontario. 

She started to develop an interest in learning jazz piano in her 30's. She studied with Paul Tobey privately and developed further in the Mohawk College Jazz Improv course. From this experience the jazz band Quintessential was born, where she and Kevin Williams honed their skills and performed in for almost 10 years. Since Quintessential, she has been part of many musical projects, of which the Kevin Williams Band has played a central part. 

Mary Ann enjoys composing and arranging and has had her compositions performed over the years. When she is not working on music, Mary Ann is a family physician in Brantford.

Guitar, vocals

David Martin is a guitarist, singer, and educator based in Baden, Ontario. David is a graduate of the Applied Music Program at Mohawk college, where he studied jazz guitar and composition.

After college, he became well versed in many popular styles of music while working on cruise ships, playing in musicals, and various cover bands. He released two albums of original material working as a guitarist with the rock band “Leaving Esmeralda.”

More recently, David has been taking on the role of a solo entertainer, singing and playing a wide range of covers. With his knowledge and skill on the guitar, he prides himself on taking a unique approach to difficult and engaging material.

Bass

Andre's bio coming soon!

Drums

Sam has been playing music since he was 6 years old, and putting bands together since he was 13. Over the years he has played many styles of music with dozens of different groups including jazz, big band, latin, rock, funk, blues, country, dance and more.

While based in Ontario, Canada, he has also performed in the USA, Mexico, and Costa Rica.

He is also the director/manager of Fresh Water Funk.