The Tummy Rubber Band
| Lynne McNamara, vocals ... Lynne has wanted to be a jazz singer since childhood. Crazy about pop and jazz music from the 1920s to 1960s, she particularly enjoyed singers Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Eydie Gorme, Jo Stafford, Anita O’Day, June Christy and Billie Holiday. But growing up in small towns in B.C. in the 1950s and ‘60s she couldn’t see a route into the jazz world, so became a school teacher - and later, an entertainment journalist in film, radio, television and print - and sang only in her car. She’s very happy to be finally doing what she’s always wanted! |
 |
 |
Robby Anchant, sax... Robby’s musical career began in England at the age of 12. He took up trombone at secondary school and played in brass bands, concert bands, and jazz bands. By the age of 18 he was playing in the English National youth jazz Orchestra. He took up alto saxophone as a teenager and has played it ever since. As a junior Robby performed at the Royal Albert Hall and Wembley Conference Centre in London, without understanding that many musicians would wait their whole lives for that opportunity. Since coming to Canada he has broadened his musical palette and has subsequently taken up tenor sax, bass trombone, euphonium, valve trombone, and tuba. He is currently playing in seven bands in and around British Columbia, including three jazz bands, two military bands, a concert band and a travelling band. In his non-musical pursuits Robby has achieved international success as a body-builder. He firmly believes that no matter what level you achieve as an athlete or a musician, you can always improve further. |
| Ross Nichol, bass ... A recently-retired Chartered Accountant, Ross started his musical journey on electric bass in his native South Africa, playing in a variety of dance and rock bands. Now, many decades later, he plays his upright bass – called Bertha – in an adult orchestra specializing in classical music and he gives expression to his jazz side by anchoring the Tummy Rubber Band exploring his new world of the standards from the Great American Songbook. In his spare time Ross has climbed the highest mountains in North America and Antarctica, and has enjoyed cycling long distance races in Canada, Britain and Europe. |
 |
 |
Lock Gibbs, trumpet ... A former high school science teacher, Lock’s musical career began under his piano teacher mother’s eye. As a teenager he wanted to move away from the piano and he set his sights on the trombone but he was told that the trombone wasn’t a solo instrument and that he should take up the trumpet instead. At the age of 16 Lock toured Europe with the Kitsilano Boys Band, which won all three divisions at the World Music Festival. After playing in many bands through the years Lock says that playing with the Tummy Rubber Band is the highlight that lights up his life because of the joy of improvising. Lock and Robby enjoy playing “duet solos” in intricate call-and-response exchanges between trumpet and saxophone. |
| Steve Britten, guitar ... Former company president, radio & television anchor, photo safari tour guide, and high school teacher Steve began his love affair with the guitar as a teenager. After six decades of playing he regards the last few years as the most formative time in his musical journey. He says that the creation of the Tummy Rubber Band has taken him to a new level of playing, learning, and enjoyment. Steve believes very much in the four-tier foundation of music: listen, learn, practice, and play. When not playing music he spends his time rushing around playing tennis, cycling, running, kayaking – and photographing birds in far-flung corners of the planet. |
 |
 |
John Vavrik, Saxophone and more... John is the band’s super multi-instrumentalist! Growing up in the Czech Republic his parents discouraged him from playing music but when he reached high school in Canada he learned to play the drums. He then took up the saxophone at university in an effort to emulate his hero King Curtis. After mastering both drums and sax, John expanded his skills to the bass and more recently, the aerophone (which allows him to practice without annoying his neighbours!). John is the band’s go-to guy: whenever Ross or Bud are away John will step into their roles on bass or drums, and his sax and aerophone are adding to the rich sound of Lock on trumpet and Robbie on sax/trombone. |
| Bud Currie, drums ... Bud took up the drums in high school and joined a band playing Little Richard, Bill Haley, and Elvis Presley covers. When Motown music arrived, Bud was hooked and he became active in Vancouver’s R&B scene as both a drummer and a singer, playing in local hotels and clubs. He expanded his styles into country and dance music, and then the jazz bug bit after taking jazz drumming lessons. A chance encounter with a bunch of Saturday morning jazz jammers at the West Vancouver Senior’s Centre led to Bud being invited to join the Tummy Rubbers who were expanding their lineup to include drums. And he’s recently taken up the ukulele and joined a seniors' group providing volunteer concerts at long-term care homes on the North Shore. |
 |