Stuart Broomer (piano)
John Mars (drums, digital & analog synths)
Formed originally in 1973 as a trio called Broomer, Mars & Smith, Stuart Broomer and John Mars became a duo in 1979 (after Mars did a brief stint in Brian's Children) and frequented Universities and community theatre throughout Ontario, Quebec, Michigan and New York.
Their lone album was 'Annihilated Surprise' in 1983 on John Mars' Ugly Dog Records. Although neither musician sang in the act, their concerts often featured the services of guest soloists such as Michael Snow (trumpet & piano), the late Graham Coughtry (trombone), Doug Wilson (flugelhorn), and Lloyd Garber. Occasionally the duo incorporated the poetic prose of Vic d'Or (aka Victor Coleman).
In March of 1986 they retired their duo and the two pianists delved deeper into playing progressive oriented music with an experimental edge which gained them some successful public and college radio play. Move Records signed them in Edinburgh, Scotland to release Stuart Broomer & John Mars recordings in the UK. But with their live act retired, the recording partners had no outlet to promote their recording effort and parted company.
Stuart Broomer can often be seen in various magazines and newspapers reviewing jazz & blues recordings; John Mars revived Brian's Children as 'The Children' and released a single in 1986 and a cassette-only album in 1989 ('Electric Playground'). He went solo in 1992 at which time he released a cassette-only album, 'Hay Waggon Inn'. This was followed by his first CD release called 'Whasup?' in October 1999 on Blue Star Records with help from Jack DeKeyzer (ex-Bopcats), Teddy Fury (ex-Bopcats), and Gord Lewis (Teenage Head) among others.
With notes from John Mars
Singles
Albums
1983 Annihilated Surprise (Ugly Dog)
1999 Annihilated Surprise [vinyl re-issue] (Ugly Dog)
Video
Compilation Tracks
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