Kieran Sloan – Vocals
Kieran has been dancing and singing up a storm in Canberra since he was in high school. His music career took off in the R&B/pop group 925 later known as D'Verse. The four-piece group travelled the country appearing on television and entertaining fans with their high energetic choreographed shows and smooth harmonies. The group performed with and supported many national and international acts. Kieran has performed and recorded with acclaimed artists such as Marcia Hines and Jon Stevens.
Toni Maxfield – Vocals
Toni has been performing in Canberra for longer than she wishes to disclose. She has been involved in cover bands, original bands, singing jingles, recorded a children’s CD and performed in numerous musical theatre productions. Toni was nominated for a Canberra Area Theatre award for her roles as Sandy in Grease, and Marian in Shout! Along with her commitment to Big Boss Groove Toni is currently a part-time vocalist with the Royal Military College Band Duntroon and is also the CEO of Music For Everyone, a community music school located in the Ainsle Arts Centre.
Ruslan Babajanov – Sax
'Bubba' is Big Boss Groove's sax man, imported all the way from Kazakhstan. Bubba moved to Australia in 1994 after completing his classical saxophone degree. He played with rock n roll band 'Happy Dayz' and with 'Club Morocco Latin Band' in Adelaide while finishing his honours degree in Jazz. In 2003, he moved to Canberra to join the Royal Military College band. Bubba was an instrumental member of band Big Boss Groove.
Bruce Smyth – Drums
Bruce “Bruiser” Smyth played drums professionally in Melbourne during the late 1970s to the late 1980s. He’s toured with blues legend Bo Didley, played on Countdown, spent a year on the road with Chad Morgan, and backed artists such as the Drifters (USA), Ricky May, Jimmy Little, and many others. He’s done many recording sessions, was one of the early drummers in Melbourne soul band Grand Wazoo, and played in the original Melbourne season of Little Shop of Horrors. After a 25-year break, he’s back and bigger than ever, smashing out the beats for Big Boss Groove!!!
Scott Temby – Bass
Scott is the youngest member of the band who has a Bachelor of Music (Performance) from ANU. Scott has studied with Eric Ajaye, Miroslav Bukovsky, Vince Jones, Mike Price, as well as many other acclaimed musicians. Scott has performed all over NSW and VIC, as well as New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, Hawaii, and New Zealand. Scott also plays the trumpet, piano, and guitar, and is an accomplished audio engineer, having worked at the ANU studio as well as recording many local artists at his home studio. Outside of performing, Scott also arranges, composes, and teaches music.
Victor Rufus – Guitar
Born and raised in the Blue Mountains, NSW, Victor has his AMusA in Classical Guitar and BMus(Hons) in Jazz Performance from the ANU. He has received training from some of the most revered jazz guitarists in New York City along with performing to bars and clubs in Europe and to sold-out crowds around Australia. Victor currently has an album for sale Tanzverbot by RasRufus (http://rasrufus.bandcamp.com/) and has played on a number of other albums and EPs.
Steve Davison – Trombone
Steve, originally from Toowoomba, is a professional trombonist and arranger, now living in Canberra. Besides dancing around on stage with Big Boss Groove, you will find Steve heading up the trombone section at RMC, playing lead with the Big Band. He also directs and runs CBR Big Band, as well as some smaller ensembles. Before moving to Canberra, Steve was bobbing around in the ocean for 6 years, as Musical Director and commercial sideman with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. Fun fact – he’s travelled to 75 countries! Yowzers!
Alex Ross – Trumpet
Alex has a classical music background that began with the violin at age 5. He quickly became enchanted and has been nurturing his addiction ever since. In 2009 Alex completed a Bachelor of Music (classical performance) at ANU and has continued to play in a variety of solo and group settings around Canberra and NSW. These include cover bands, big bands, musicals, orchestras, chamber groups, church services, community bands and ceremonial occasions.
Keyboard
Various Funksters