Jake DeVries
Bass Guitar, Vocals
Bio in Progress…
Ila Vann
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.
Miss Emily
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
Lenni Stewart
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.
David Norris-Elye (R.I.P.)
Saxophones, Guitar, Songwriter, Producer
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.
Steve Martin (R.I.P.)
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.
Fade Kings 