You know when you know about someone doing something for a long time, but you never really know about what they do or if they do it well? Tom Uhryniw, fellow name enigma, is one of those people. Tom has always chatted my ear about music, particularly hot drummers. Earth, Wind & Fire, Kenny Aranoff, stuff like that. It wasn't until a little while back and after he played here that I realized he holds a solid backbeat himself! He loves to collaborate and is the person behind the Sunday Fundays that are gaining steam with local support. He will be driving the train on drums again this coming Sunday, January 19 from 1-4pm at The Cove Inn with Shawn and Dave McCullough and special guest Shawn Kellett! Details here: web link

Seamus Cowan: As I mentioned, it's strange that I hadn't ever really heard you play drums before your recent times getting up with Shawn McCullough. Not sure why but that's the way it goes I guess! What made you get into drums and what get you moving as a musician in the beginning?

Tom Uhryniw: I lived in Ottawa and attended Canterbury High School. In those days, Canterbury was not officially an Arts school however we did have an enhanced music program which was one period a day of band class and one of theory. I spent lunch hours playing the school’s new drum kit and driving teachers Don Lake & Hans Lussenberg crazy with the noise. Should be noted that many of my high school band mates did go on to amazing music careers. One taught music at University of Miami and got to perform as a sax player for Dionne Warwick, Donna Summer, Eartha Kitt & more. One was part time in the Arts Centre Orchestra and has been full time since. One of the flute players went on to Cornell University and is a professor at Berkelee in California. And there are more. At Canterbury I learned to play some big band music and came to understand the rhythm section and the pulse of music, as well as the importance of the collaboration of the rhythm section as a whole. I left playing aside and picked it up again in my early 30s.

Q: Drumming is so fun. My brother and I were going to share a kit when we started out. I knew I needed to play something else though as we are twins. Who are some of your biggest influences on the kit and why?

Tom: Your brother Jeff is a very accomplished drummer btw! Many drummers come to mind. Mine were a little more eclectic than the average high school rocker. Buddy Rich was a huge influence. I was lucky enough to see Buddy in 1977 at the old Rideau Ferry Inn of all places. It was a similar size to The Cove. A very intimate venue and a memory of a lifetime!
Before drum clinics were a huge thing, I attended what would become Montreal Drumfest. I went to Montreal to a clinic hosted by Joe Morello of the Dave Brubeck Quartet. That kind of talent left a young teenager in awe.

Neil Peart of Rush fame was not just a drummer and innovator, but also wrote most of the lyrics. Others include, the drummers & percussionists of Earth, Wind & Fire, John Bonham, David Garibaldi. Studio legends Bernard Purdie and Jeff Porcaro who left his mark with that shuffle drum groove on the hit song Rossanna.

Today with the availability of clips on platforms such as YouTube, I am able to listen many groove masters. Two drummers I particularly watch are Stanley Randolph (of Stevie Wonder fame) & Todd Sucherman (drummer for Styx, Gowan & more).
Of course don’t forget Ringo! Even today he is considered a huge innovator and is still touring with his all-star band.

Q: I have known about you being a part of a few local jams for a long time. Jams can be great as you have have some many musical encounters with strangers and frequent connections with regulars. Where are those jams that you have been a part of and what is it about them that kept you playing at them?

Tom: When one would like to make new musical connections, going to the local Jam session helps to find like minded players. 6 years ago, I went to a Jam at the former Danby’s Bar & Grill in Munster Hamlet. This was a hidden gem, chock full of great players. A little rusty at first, (I have always found practice alone boring, I am a live player) I sat in for a few tunes and followed the Jam’s social media. One day they were short a drummer and I said I could bring drums and fake my way through it. The Jam’s host “Bacon” Mike Belajac (a very accomplished drummer/singer/musician of Bacon Tree Band, Heartbroken, Tom Petty Experience) took a chance on me. We are now pretty good friends. Mike is a retired pilot that plays amazing guitar and is the father of the current drummer for the Doobie Brothers. That is kind of talent level that in the beginning was a little intimidating, but in the end these people draw the best out of you and always encourage you through their performing to thrive on their level. Steve Piticco is another performer that in a gentlemanly way makes you bring your ”A” game to the stage. The very first time I met and got on stage with these next level players, I found out Johnny Faye the drummer for The Hip, was in attendance and sitting at the band’s table. Gulp! But he was a great guy and after the gig they invited me to dinner and I got to talk drums and gear with Johnny. He probably doesn’t remember, but I sure do!

The Jam transitioned to their location in Richmond. Today, it is one of those intimate events and I feel honoured to be there. I have made many musical connections that have created many new gigs for me.

I have also sat in with the Wings ‘n Tunes Wingnuts on Wednesdays at The Cove making new connections and sharing the stage with the amazing local talent. One common denominator is that connecting musically is almost important as the great jokes made on stage. Shawn McCullough, thanks for the opportunity to share the stage with you!

Q: Seems like you are charitable, thoughtful cat. I appreciate that as I know music is not the only thing in your career. I know you love this community and you have many ideas about what can be presented here in terms of new events. Is giving back to your community and being a part of it on the ground level something you have always done?

Tom: Great question! I think I have always liked the social camaraderie of a good cause. I live in this community because of music. I had the pleasure of drumming with Harry Adrain for about 7 years. Many times, I was one of the last to leave the Westport Legion as they waited for me to pack up my drums. At Stanleyville Hall, I was told just to lock up when I leave. It’s these years I fell under the charms of Westport.

With lots of assistance, I managed The Crystal Palace stage & beer garden for the Stewart Park Festival. It was a huge undertaking as it was a new venture for the festival. Now, it generates revenue for the festival and it’s local participating vendors and hosts the after hours events. Many thanks to John McKenty of Perth as he and the others made it a labour of love.

Q: Your latest funky outing is the now regular Sunday Funday Chicken Pickin' Matinees with brothers Dave and Shawn McCullough. It's been a real good time. The whole matinee thing seems to be attractive to the local crowd in the slower, winter season. Where do you see this series going and what can we expect at the next one?

Tom: The Cove rolled the dice on this event and it came up double sixes, which means roll again!
Featuring local talent on stage just seems to strike a chord (musical pun intended) with people in the Village and surrounding area. Shawn, Dave & myself are tickled pink with how much fun these first 3 shows have been. (Thanks Zach, Mark, Henry, Ron, & Evan so far!). January 19 brings a new venture as Shawn Kellett joins us with his amazing fiddle talent. Adding a rocking fiddler to a solid rhythm section makes for some awesome boot scooting’ fun! Of course, we sprinkle in a pinch of our regular tunes to round out the set. It’s the folks that attend our matinees that have bolstered its success. It should be noted that we have raised $1100 for Westport Food Bank and we will be doing another 50/50 draw at the next show. It will be a gooder! Posted: Jan 14, 2025