Michael Magann's musical pedigree comes from an authentic source as his grandfather, Ernie Magann, had played Hawaiian guitar with a radio show in Hamilton (Ernie Magann and the Paradise Islanders) and ran the "21 Club" for years in Port Carling, Ontario during the 40's and 50's.
Michael Magann achieved his first bout of notoriety when he joined Brutus in April 1969 on an invite from bass player Sandy White as trumpet player. Magann's father had taught White how to play and the two had been neighbours. The younger Magann and White had gone to Thistletown High School together.
Little Caesar And The Consuls bassist and agent Tom Wilson had the band pre-booked for 6 months throughout Southern Ontario and they soon became of the busiest part-time bands on the circuit. But after one single "Funky Roller Skates b/w Flyer" Magann left the band by Christmas 1969 to finish university. He was replaced in Brutus by Bruce Gordon.
In 1971, Magann was contacted by Pat Riccio Jr., who was working with three brothers named Good, and the two went up to CFTO and put together a pilot variety show. It went up against Kenny Rogers who got the series that aired as "Rollin' On the River". Magann would later perform on two TV specials with Pat Riccio as part of the studio orchestra backing Anne Murray.
Magann finished university at Toronto in 1972 and kept his trumpet playing chops up in the military bands around the city. Over the subsequent years, he jobbed with many of the military bands as lead trumpet and later assistant conductor with the Naval Reserve band.
He then went to the Force's School of Music in 1978 and received a Director of Music qualification. This led to his job as Director of Music for the Governor General's Horse Guards band from 1980 until 1986, before moving to the US. Highlights from this tenure include the salute to Queen Elizabeth with the massed bands in 1984, "fanfare trumpets" that opened the Ontario Legislature each year from 1975 until 1986, the opening band for the CNE with Bob Hope, and providing music for the Royal Winter Fair throughout the 1970's.
Magann's most noteworthy claim to fame is an appearance with the Governor General's Horse Guards in the opening sequence of the movie 'Police Academy 3'. Magann is the trombonist on the far right.
Singles
with BRUTUS
1970 Funky Roller Skates/Flyer (Quality)
Albums
Video
Compilation Tracks
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