Ernie has been playing as a professional musician since age 13. During that time, he has played with professional symphony orchestras, major jazz ensembles, recordings (Grammy-nominated), theatres, Big Band (Canadian Stage Band Festival Gold Medalist), and touring shows across North America. As a drummer/percussionist, Ernie is equally “at home” in be-bop as baroque, and all genres in between. He has been the mainstay percussionist with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra for more than 38 years, and acting principal percussionist. Ernie has current and past performances with Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Toronto Operetta Theatre, Opera Ontario, John Sherwood Trio, Brantford Symphony Orchestra, Theatre Aquarius, National Academy Orchestra, Hannaford Street Silver Band, Luciano Pavarotti, Joan Rivers, Bob Hope, Harry Belafonte, Dudley Moore, Shirley Jones, Bill Conte, and Peter Appleyard,. He is the Professor of Percussion Studies at Redeemer University in Ancaster Ontario, and was a drum set/percussion Professor for 12 years at Mohawk College. He is currently working on an instruction book with famed Latin percussionist Jorge Luis “Papiosco” Torres. Ernie is particularly proud of his work in The Canadian Percussion Ensemble. As co-founder (with legendary tympanist Jean-Norman Iadeluca), The CPE has performed over 550 shows to students across southern Ontario, reaching and inspiring well over 100,000 students. Ernie continues to enjoy studies in percussion, and loves to immerse himself in the food, language, and customs of the varied cultures that come with the instruments.
Past Shows
DATE: February 7th, 2022
TIME: 6 PM – 9 PM
EVENT: Twilight Jazz Series: SAX in the CITY
VENUE: Mahtay Cafe and Lounge
PRICE: Early Bird: $39 + HST; At the Door: $49; Musicians/Arts Workers/Students: $19 + HST