tom bona

Credits

Nominated 15x for ‘Drummer of the Year’ at the Maple Blues Awards, including for this year, 2022. The award show is on June 20th, 2022 in Toronto. https://www.mapleblues.ca/

8x Award Winner for ‘Drummer of the Year’ ( Maple Blues Awards – Feb 3rd, 2020)

Myles Goodwyn

Honoured to be recording and performing with Myles Goodwyn (April Wine) and his ‘Friends of the Blues’ Project. Plans to release his 3rd blues recording in the fall of 2022.

Myles Davidson

Currently recording drums remotely for Cape Breton singer/songwriter Myles Davidson, being produced by Dave Gunning. I have a full live drum studio set up at home here in Halifax, called ‘bonasound studios’.

Sue Foley

Toured again with Sue Foley (2017-2019). Drumming, touring, road managing, and booking (with Leo Valvassori on bass)….. all across Canada, the United States and Europe in support of ” The Ice Queen” release.

I first toured and recorded with Sue Foley in 1998, (until 2008) and I appear on her releases: “Where The Action Is”, “Change”, “New Used Car” and a Live in Germany DVD.

Twelve plus collective years with the Ice Queen…..

Sue Foley ICE QUEEN BEE BLUES Full Live! X2 Concerts Montréal Jazz Festival Canada July 6 2019

www.suefoley.com

Soulstack

www.soulstack.com

Appearing live and in studio with Soulstack on the releases ” Big Red” 2012 , “Five Finger Discount” 2013 and “Soulstack” (self titled) 2015, as well as other LIVE releases via youtube and iTunes.

Soulstack - Blues No More - Live off the Floor

“Five Finger Discount is an album destined for legendary status. The music Soulstack has made here will be an inspiration for future generations just as it refreshes the memory of the greatness of the works that led the way to where we are today. Soulstack is a truly great band and Five Finger Discount is an all-time great album. Essential.” Rust Magazine – Rust zine 2014

Jon Knight and Soulstack - Everybody Hangin' In The Kitchen - Live in NL
Soulstack - Tom Bona OWNS- Drum Camera - Live at Southside Shuffle 2013

Raoul and The Big Time:

2019 Maple Blues Awards - Raoul & the Big Time

Shane Cloutier

https://www.shanecloutiermusic.com/

I have been recording and performing with Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist extraordinaire for the last 10 years, appearing on his lastest recording “Red Wagon” which includes a cameo by Frank Marino, and on other recordings includung the OddClue project with Mike Tilka (from Max Webster). Margo Timmons made a cameo appearance in this recording as well, and I share drumming duties with a drumming hero of mine, Jorn Anderson.

The Wilderness of Manitoba

A recent studio session with The Wilderness of Manitoba for a release called “Between Colours” has me sharing drumming duties with Marito Marques and Howie Beck, and has a cameo by Alex Lifeson from Rush.

http://www.thewildernessofmanitoba.com

Mike Sedgewick Friday Night Blues Jam

Appearing regularly (when I’m not touring) at Salty Dogs in the Beach ( Queen Street, Toronto) for Mike Sedgewick’s Friday Night Blues Jam

http://www.fridaynightbluesjam.com/

Lou Pinto’s ‘Saint Dominiques Preview’ (a Van Morrison Tribute band)

Saint Domenics Preview Tribute to Van Morrison

With Colin James at the Maple Blues Awards Show \ performance:

2018 Maple Blues Awards - Colin James

Life, Death and the Blues:

Life, Death and The Blues - Trailer

Raoul’s epic theatre show, “Life Death and the Blues”, one hundred performances across Canada 2013-2017

Bourbon Tabernacle Choir:

The Bourbon Tabernacle Choir - Hillside July 26 2008 - REUNION SHOW

Toured Canada a few times and a New York City monthly residency at Nightengales (2nd and 14th) from 1995-1996.

Marth and the Muffins:

Echo Beach 30th Anniversary Version / Martha and the Muffins

Played the Mike Bullard show with ‘Martha and the Muffins’ for their 20th Anniversary of Echo Beach, and then re-recorded a new studio version of Echo Beach for the 30th Anniversary.

bonavoice:

1921 by BonaVoice - Live July 2, 2011 (v.2)

bonavoice is Louanne Baker [ Notework, Brakin Tradition] , Karen Smith [ Father Jamie and Karen Smith] and Tom Bona. Lush sibling harmonies, original songs and musical richness stemming from the endless kitchen parties we all grew up with among family and friends. Produced by Tom Bona, a new recording/release is in the works featuring Richard Owens [guitar] , and tracked/engineered by Nick Smith.

Past Credits:

Maple Blue Revue / Maple Blues Band

I was the house drummer for the Maple Blues Awards from 2000-2017, with Gary Kendall, Michael Fonfara, Pat Carey, Teddy Leonard, Christ Whiteley, Al Lerman, Chris Murphy. An off shoot of the award ceremony house band was called The Maple Blues Review and featured additional guest vocals from Chuck Jackson, Dawn Tyler Watson and John Mays. www.garykendall.com/mbr.htm

Winner of seven Maple Blues Awards for ‘Drummer of the Year’.

Past Activities:

Sue Foley:

Back touring with Sue Foley since 2017. Touring, Tour management and Drumming all over Canada, America and Europe. Sue Foley’s ” The Ice Queen” was released March 2018, and Sue, Leo Valvassori and myself have been touring in support of this release.

www suefoley.com

Past info: I toured and recorded with WC Handy nominated, Juno Award and Multiple Maple Blues Award winning, roots/blues, guitarist and singer/songwriter Sue Foley from 1998 to 2007 . www.suefoley.com We recorded and released a Live in Europe DVD [ Germany ] , ” New Used Car” and a track for Bob Dylan Tribute as well as a track for “Guitar Woman” compilation on Ruf Records. “Change” Sue Foley’s ‘acoustic’ recording, was recorded live at Hugh’s Room in Toronto, December 2003. This recording won three 2004 Maple Blues Awards for Recording of the Year, Acoustic Act of the Year, and Female Vocal of the Year. I also recorded tracks on Sue Foley’s Maple Blues Award winning “Where the Action Is”, released June 2002, produced by multi-award winning producer & performer Colin Linden.

Wickens Knight
This project was a Pre-Soulstack band featuring Jon Knight, Dylan Wickens, Harpo Peterson, and myself. We nurtured greasy grooves and cool vibes with a long running house gig at the now defunct ” Chicago’s Diner Bird’s Nest” on Queen Street West. The band released a CD in Spring 2005, recorded in Tom’s basement, produced by Jon Knight and the band. Wickens Knight won the Toronto Blues Society ‘ New Talent Search ‘ 2006, and this performance was recorded by CBC Radio. Word on the street is that the debut Wickens Knight’s CD has reached somewhat of an underground cult status !

Randy Dawson – NEW CD Release ” D’Nile Blues ” January 2005
Performing and recording with Randy Dawson since 1996. This new CD features Randy, myself and Bob Bilton on Bass. www.randydawson.com
Other Recording Credits:

Martha and the Muffins

– I recorded with the band the 30th Anniversary version of ” Echo Beach” ( and a few other tracks) ….Now that’s Canadiana!!

Hennessey – Life on AM Radio 1999 – www.hennessey.ca
Jeremy Robinson – Butterfly Pin 1997, Good and Gone 1998 – www.jeremyrobinson.net
Chris Warren- Beautiful Ruins 2004 – www.chriswarren.cc
Kim Doolittle – Touch Wood 2004 – www.peterboroughjams.ca/musician_kimdoolittle.htm
Wickens Knight – due this spring 2005 – www.wickens-knight.com
Randy Dawson – D’Nile Blues 2005 www.randydawson.com
Gregory Hoskins – Surgery 2000
Simon Tell – Junk Fables 1993, Live Flamingo 1992

Razzmatazz for Kids – 1993

Fire Rooster / Bats in the Belfry

Other Performing Credits:

Arlene Bishop

Duke Robillard

Johnny Max

Philip Sayce

Ashley MacIsaac

Dylan Wickens Band

Junior Watson

Randy Dawson

Aylie Sparks (Yukon)

Glory Glory

JW Jones

Renann

Big Daddy G

Gordie Johnson/Big Sugar

Kenny ‘Blue Boss’ Wayne

Robbie Rox

Bill King’s Fish Fry

Greg Godovitz/Goddo

Kim Doolittle

Ronnie Earl

Blair Packham

Gregory Hoskins

Krista Blondin

Roxanne Potvin

Blues Doctor Julie Hill

Hennessey

Lance Anderson

Simon Tell

Bourbon Tabernacle Choir

Holly Cole

Mark Hummell

Steve Lukather (Toto)

Bunny Brown

Jack DeKeyzer

Martha and the Muffins

Southside Steve

Chris Armstrong

Jackie Richardson

Matt Minglewood

Steven C Barr

Chuck Jackson

Jackie Washington

Mel Brown

Suspect

Colin James

Jazz Unlimited

Michael Jerome Brown

Swing Gang

Colin Linden

Jeff Healey

Michael D’Amigo

The Bear Band

Damhnait Doyle

Jeff Martin (Tea Party)

Michelle Shocked

The Press

David Gogo

Jeremy Robinson

Midnight Walk

Tony D

Dawn Tyler Watson

Jerome Godboo

Morgan Davis

Tony Springer Wild T

Donny Walsh

Jim Byrnes

Paranoia

Virgil Scott

Don’t Talk Dance

Jimmy Boskill

Paul Reddick

Wickens Knight

Downchild Blues Band

John Mays / Fathead

Penny Skolski

Willie “Big Eyes” Smith

Long John Baldry Chuck Jackson Wilderness of Manitoba

Shane Cloutier Mike Sedgewick Lou Pinto and Van Morrison Tribute

Halifax: Fire Rooster / Bats in the Belfry / Dave Dobson / Suspect / Groove Guru’s / Simon Tell / etc

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Shared the stage/festival with:

54-40

Coco Montoya

Great Big Sea

Nina Simone

Allanah Myles

Colin Linden

James Harmon

Otis Rush

Amos Garrett

Country Joe MacDonald

Jennifer Warnes

Robert Cray

Barenaked Ladies

Dalbello

Joe Cocker

Rod Piazza and The Mighty Flyers

BB King

Danny Michel

John Entwhistle

Shemekia Copeland

Big Sugar

Delbert McClinton

John Hiatt

Sonny Landreth

Blue Rodeo

Dick Dale

John Lee Hooker

The Holmes Brothers

Bo Diddley

Double Trouble

Johnny Lang

Tom Cochrane

Booker T and the MG’s

Dr. John

Maceo Parker

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Bruce Cockburn

Duke Robillard

Max Webster

Van Morrison

Buddy Guy

Echo and the Bunnymen

Moxy Fruvous

Bela Fleck

Clarence ‘Gatemouth Brown

Gary Moore

Neville Brothers

Other Credits:

Features in Modern Drummer Magazine and DRUM! Magazine ( www.drummagazine.com ). Appearance in OMNI 1 TV’s “Metropia” ( www.cfmt.com/tv/metropia/ ) with Raoul and the Big Time. TVO appearances with Raoul and the Big Time and recently with Roxanne Potvin ( www.roxannepotvin.com ). Appeared in an Atlantis/Alliance made for TV movie ‘On Hostile Ground’ (1999), starring John Corbett (Sex and the City). Recorded on the soundtrack to CBC TV’s ‘Life and Times of Robert Bateman’ (1998). Numerous appearances on national Canadian television and radio shows, American (NPR) and UK (BBC) national radio shows.

I am a member of The American Federation of Musicians (Local 149, TMA) and an ACTRA Member.

Bona wins 4th Consecutive Maple Blues Award for 'Drummer of the Year'

I was again voted 'Drummer of the Year' at the 2004 Maple Blues Awards.
This is the fourth year running that I have won this prestigious national Canadian blues award ( www.torontobluessociety.com ).
(The Canadian equivalent of the W.C. Handy award.)

I have been touring and recording with WC Handy nominated, Juno Award and Mulitple Maple Blues Award winning, roots/blues, guitarist and singer/songwriter Sue Foley since 1999 . www.suefoley.com

Wickens Knight - Recording Debut
We are currently in the studio, working on a Spring 2005 release, produced by Jon Knight and the band. www.wickens-knight.com