Alumni

Drums, Vocals

(2025) Well friends, it’s time to say ‘adios’ and Happy Trails to one of the Fade Kings’ founding members, drummer/vocalist Dave Impey. Dave is retiring from the band and heading west to be with family. Lots of great musical moments over the years!

Here are Dave’s parting thoughts and bio:

An old friend remarked ” it must have been a bittersweet decision to step back from the band ” …. it was … but with a major move being planned the time had come .

It’s been such a good ride . The Fade Kings have been really fortunate to keep it going for so long…. many memorable gigs , sometimes with a bit of magic happening …PEC Jazz Festival with Richard Underhill sitting in for a few tunes … Gananoque Waterfront Festival with consummate pro Ian K . and more than capable , new bassist Phil W. …Deseronto Canada Day & Blood Donor Clinic ( eaten alive by mosquitos )…Kingston Blues Festival with Miss Emily & Ila Vann …endless club dates …Waring House , Moe at the Red Lion ( Leigh and I reading the most profound quote tattooed on that young woman’s thigh in Belleville ) .
Sadly we did lose good friends , family over the years plus there have been some health scares but we were also blessed to meet so many good people along the way …..the folks behind Huff Estates Winery , Old Church Theatre , Northumberland Music Studio , Del Gatto Winery , Kingston Blues Society , all our good friends in the Campbellford , Trenton ( here’s looking at you SD & PC ) and PEC’s musical communities plus all the great side men and sound techs we had the pleasure of working with .

My folks recognized my need for a drumkit and bought my first Gretsch kit in the early 60’s , wasn’t long until that basement band was playing out and morphed into The Westbury Union which became Boojum , booking through the Bernie Dobbin Agency , playing Eastern Ontario into Quebec . Eventually took a hiatus to the west coast . Arriving back in the area was approached by Marinus Vandertogt to do some studio work and perform with a variation of his well acclaimed group Noah . Many projects after that with Quinte area musicians – Frank Rose , Ken Harnden , Ron Wood , Al Manning etc…. eventually getting back together with County legend , Jake deVries ( we played together previously in Freestone & Boojum )….. which led to The Fade Kings being formed and has continued sucessfully for the last 30 plus years !

I need to express a deep gratitude to my band mates , all rock-solid, local musicians who always rose to whatever challenge we faced . Thank you . It’s been a pleasure and yes, such a good ride …I expect to miss it a lot . Best of luck going forward .

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Bass Guitar, Vocals

Bio in Progress…

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Vocalist

R&B legend Ila Vann began singing with her family’s gospel choir, and has been performing since her mother brought her on tour with gospel legend Mahalia Jackson.

Her long, illustrious credit list reads like a who’s who of Rhythm and Blues history. Sam Cooke, The Staple Singers, Blind Boys of Alabama, Ray Charles, Mahalia Jackson and Louis Armstrong have all shared the stage with Ila. She has added her voice to Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Kenny Rogers and Barry Manilow.

After a Broadway musical in 1972 and a recording contract with Liberty Records, Ila toured extensively with the USO. As a key pioneer of the ‘Northern Soul’ movement in Britain during the 1960’s and 70’s her string of hit records continues to be played on British airwaves. She had her first number one hit in the U.K. – Can’t Help Loving Dat Man.

After moving to Canada with her now late husband, Ila continued to tour before settling into a house band gig in Kingston, Ontario.

She hooked up with the Fade Kings and Ian Kojima in 2013 and played festivals and clubs until her retirement in 2019.

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Vocals, keyboards, guitar.

Singer-songwriter originally from PEC , now Kingston based . Multiple Maple Blues Awards winner – Female Vocalist , New Artist and Sapphire Blues Video in 2020 .

“Live at the Isabel “ Juno nominated for Album of the Year in 2022 . Presently tours throughout Canada  – in past years was a featured artist  with the Fade Kings at various Quinte area venues – Belleville ‘s Woodstock Anniversary Concert , Limestone City Blues Festival – Kingston 

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Vocals, guitar.

Lenni Stewart was well on her way as a solo singer-songwriter, when she was introduced through a close friend to Tequila Mockingbird as a potential new vocalist, a la Linda Rondstadt. That was the beginning of a dynamic collaboration and long-standing friendship that continues to this day.

After a few years, she moved to Toronto, leaving the band, who then morphed into The Fade Kings. Lenni has continued to work with former bass player John Devries and Eric Fry as LST Revival, their 20+ year collaboration having produced the all-original CD ‘Root Cellar Boogie’, with more to come! Lenni is also a long-standing and respected chanteuse of jazz standards who works with several music groups including the Lenni Stewart JAZZTRIO, Frank Howard Big Band, Dan Shaer Big Band, Howard Lopez Music Group, The Starpainters and more. 

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Harmonica, Vocals.

René Huard is a multi-instrumental musician singer and songwriter with over 40 years experience in the industry starting from his early days with the Williams & O’Neil Band opening for storied acts like Taj Mahal and John Lee Hooker. Throughout his career René toured widely as a member of Cheryl Lescom & The Limit as well as being a founding member of The Meteors, where he toured the “A” Club circuit from Winnipeg to Halifax. René also did a stint on Global TV as host (and theme song performer) on the television show Antique Hunter. Blues Calling is Rene’s maiden album release as The René Huard Project accompanied on the project by legendary Canadian blues artists; Jack de Keyzer, Alec Fraser Jr. and Al Cross.

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David Norris-Elye was a talented songwriter and musician, playing tenor and soprano sax as well as guitar.

He and good friend Fade Kings keyboardist Leigh Moore played together in Toronto bands Ebony Jam, Streetlife and Double Exposure back in the 70s and 80s. David went on to log stints with Downchild Blues Band, the Stampeders and Long John Baldry.

He was also a talented music producer, having produced two of the tracks on the Fade Kings “Years to Recover” CD. He often appeared onstage as a special guest with the Fade Kings.

Sadly, David passed away in 2007.

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Bass, Vocals

Steve is best known locally as an incredibly talented bass player. He has performed with a wide variety of local bands, both prior to and after moving back to the County in 1994.

He has organized concerts, started his own groups, written original songs and collaborated with other musicians in song writing. Steve is remembered for his gutsy style of singing and his hard to match piercing rock and roll screams.

Steve performed with local bands in the 70’s such as: United Power, Boojum and Backshed Revue.

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