A Short History: Benny Sanders & Tina Reece, who played together in The Purple Gang began jamming with Richard Campbell & Godfrey Martyres in the latter months of 95. In late 96, R., G & B. began jamming at Adams Rib, Grossmans & The Millennium. H to Oh! began gigging by backing up Dean Grey in mid 97 at Trojans then playing a full evening at Millennium in August 1997. In 1999, a live recording was produced at 'The Black Swan'. The follow-up was a 3-tune studio CD, including "Nuclear Bomb" (a tune that Benny wrote on the subway for the TV show 'Meltdown at The Winchester') plus a high adrenaline "Magic Carpet Ride" (with Toronto music legend 'Lee Van Leer' on keyboards). In the late fall, the 3 piece core band competed in 'Tech Jams' (an exclusive contest for IT management individuals) and placed 4th after four appearances during three weeks of contests at 'The Skydome's Hard Rock Cafe'. Jim Campbell was added during this time after they met him at the competition. In 2000, rehearsals in Toronto and Aurora, a handful of jams along with the 'Mother's Against Poverty' event prepared H to Oh! to play at the 2000 'Beaches Blues Festival', as always, combining music, fun and a great cause. For this event Benny penned 'Mel's Moose Boogie', a jazzy tune about the antics of Toronto's infamous mayor, Mel Lastman. In the fall of 2000, Godfrey left for health reasons and Darren Kraemer began playing lead guitar at gigs, including an appearance on Breakfast Television. Godfrey returned in Nov. 2001, when the 3-piece core band was joined by Lee to play the benefit CMFL (Canadian Musicians for Liberty), attaining the band a position in the Guinness Book of World Records. In early 2002, the 4 and 5 piece band began playing gigs again across Southern Ontario including an appearance at 'Carnival'. Summer 2002 included involvement in benefit work for the Daily Bread Food Bank. A highlight of 2003 was a gig at Hollywood on the Queensway on July 16th that was broadcast on The Life Network
Sadly, after a prolonged illness, our good friend Godfrey passed away in late 2003.
The band line-up now includes Michael Burns & J.B. Chaplin taking guitar and bass duties ... and everyone sings!
Gig dates are posted on the main page. Keep an eye out for an 'H to Oh!' area event, or call and book one.
Alan Heart Management ~ 416-769-1354 ext #1 - pager 416-336-3457
Recording of their CD Canadiana is completed and in mix-down stage with intent for a 2004 release.
