The Players:
Meet The Current Members of TOP CITY!
Claudio Girasole
Lead Vocals
Top City’s lead male vocalist developed a love for music by listening to his father’s Tom Jones records while growing up on Vancouver’s east side. However, his first foray into performing was not with his voice, but with the guitar—Claudio’s first choice! Influenced by legends like B.B. King, Chuck Berry, and Jeff Beck, Claudio’s passion for the blues began to flourish. After graduating from high school, he studied music at Capilano College. While playing guitar in several bands, he started singing some parts and soon realized that his voice was his best natural asset, bringing him back to his initial influence. In performances with Top City, Claudio showcases his enduring love for the blues, along with classic R&B, soul, and funk—and at least one classic Tom Jones arrangement!
Chika Buston
Lead Vocals
Chika Buston is a fingerstyle guitarist, vocalist, and keyboardist. Self-taught on guitar and classically trained in piano (RCM Level 10), she has a contralto vocal range and a natural penchant for vocal harmony. She enjoys performing a wide range of genres, has contributed to several recording projects over the years, and accompanies various acts for live shows and festivals in Western Canada. Her stylistic influence mainly derives from the legends in contemporary R&B, soul, blues, jazz, gospel, latin, folk, pop, and country music. Other favorite pursuits include hiking, exploring, and connecting with people
Larry White
Rhythm Guitar & Backing Vocals
Larry, a founding member of Top City, is also active with other musical pursuits. He is a former member of the Take Five Big Band, and also performs as a percussionist with The Richmond Concert Band, under the direction of Cheryl McHugh. Larry, along with Top City keyboardist Steve Hannah, was formerly a member of The Copperfield Band.
Barry Merritt
Trombone
Along with his R&B duties as a founding member of Top City, Barry has been a regular on the Vancouver big band jazz & dance scene for over 35 years. He worked with the well-known Vancouver dance groups Swingtime and Route 66 during the ‘80’s & ‘90’s. More recently, Barry was member of the Arokis Music Society’s jazz band Urbana and also The VCC Jazz Orchestra. Currently, Barry’s chops get quite a workout by holding down a trombone chair with Bob Liley’s Sanctuary All-Stars Big Band.
Jim Kempton
Drums
As one of the original members of Top City, Jim has performed with many different bands in nearly every style you can name. Still as busy as ever, Jim is equally at home playing small group jazz, big band, musical theatre, or laying down a groove with Top City. Long-serving band members know to stay close to Jim—offers of extra dessert always seem to find him!
Steve Berger
Lead Guitar
Steve’s musical credits include playing in the Douglas College Night band, founder of Mo’tet and member of the Jeff MacArthur Quartet. He holds degrees in Music from UBC and UW-Madison. As lead guitarist in Top City, Steve pays particular attention to the many great guitar sounds of the classic R&B genre, with its multitude of gifted musicians. Other interests include rock climbing, skiing and cycling.
Garth Balint
Trumpet/Flugelhorn/Piccolo Trumpet
As well as riding high on the Top City Horn Section, Garth plays lead trumpet with big bands such as the Urbana, Jazz Connexion and Inlet Jazz Band and can be heard in the horn section for Vancouver’s premier Chicago tribute band WCC (West Coast Chicago). He is also an in-demand player with various orchestral and commercial freelance shows around Vancouver.
Don Hardy
Keyboards & Backing Vocals
Don, on piano and Hammond organ, is one of the latest additions to the TOP City rhythm section. He has played this role for numerous Vancouver R&B bands, touring extensively. As the latest member to join the troupe, he’s excited to lay down solid grooves with the band. Don has performed at major music festivals across Western Canada, including the Vancouver International Jazz Festival.
Paul Freeman
Bass
Prior to moving to Canada from the UK, Paul played on Cunard ships and toured with various bands playing theatres and venues all over the world. He now splits his time between BC and La Paz, Mexico and enjoys playing a variety of musical styles from jazz to big band, latin, funk and blues
Jamie Hicks
Tenor Saxophone
Jamie Hicks is a saxophonist in Vancouver, BC and has performed all over the lower mainland, and internationally across Europe and the US. He has played with and learned from world renown artists such as Randy Brecker (Brecker Brothers), Bob Reynolds (Snarky Puppy) and Eric Marienthal (Chick Corea). Jamie is also an educator in Vancouver, teaching both private lessons and in the school system in the Lower Mainland.”
Mark Follett
Baritone & Alto Saxophones
Over the past 30 years Mark has played saxophone and woodwinds in big bands, combos, a country band, a ska band and numerous musical theatre productions throughout the lower mainland. With a B.Mus and B.Ed from UBC and an M.Ed from U of Calgary, Mark has channeled his love of music into teaching jazz and concert band in West Van and Langley elementary and high schools. When he’s not holding down the bottom end of the Top City horns on Bari sax, he’s out for a run, coaching one of his sons’ baseball teams, or on an adventure with his family
Steve Hannah:
Teacher, Keyboardist, Our Musical Director and Arranger, and Our Dearly Missed Friend...
In July 2019, we lost our dear friend and bandmate, Steve Hannah, far too soon. Steve was not only a fantastic musician but also one of the greatest people you could ever meet. He custom-arranged 95% of TOP CITY’s music library, earning admiration from both musicians and fans alike. We dedicate every show to Steve’s memory. Thank you, Steve, for all the fun, memories, and your incredible musicianship. All of us, past and present members of the band, salute you. Man, we miss you brother!
