♫ Gigs

Grace St. Andrews United Church December 3, 2016
"What a wonderful group - such a lovely mix of jazz and Christmas music."
"So nice to have a band in the church that can really rattle the rafters! A great sound!"
"We'll have to have the band back in the church hall so that we can have a dance."
"The most enjoyable afternoon I've had in a long time. That singer can really belt it! "
"I really enjoyed your concert. You were all awesome!"
"I got lost en route to Arnprior and rolled in late - Glad I got there though, your band is AWESOME!"

Barrhaven Legion October 21, 2016
"We’re not steak eaters so didn’t want to come out, but bowed to our friends’ request and loved every minute of the music."
"The band provided an extensive repertoire and it was exactly what we were hoping for. We danced all night!"
"We were touched when the singer thanked all who served and who are currently serving. We will recommend you."
"As a singer elsewhere, it was fantastic to appreciate the band from the dance floor - the sound was perfect. Guests loved it and were really impressed with the professionalism."

Granite Ridge Care Community September 17, 2016
"A BIG thank you to all of the band for helping us out on this event"

RCAF Officers' Mess - Private event July 23, 2016
"A lovely evening. I wish we could have stayed longer."
"You’re doing well for only one year on the music scene. Keep up your hard work."
"We really enjoyed the swing tunes. Maybe the full big band could play at another time?"

Blackburn Fun Fair June 4, 2016
"Caught the band at last year’s fair. Pleased to see and hear how the group is evolving."
"Loved the movie theme and the enthusiasm with which everything was presented."
"What a terrific way to spend an hour; this was fantastic!"

1st Anniversary Concert/Out of the Cold Fundraiser May 29, 2016
Knox Presbyterian Church
"Congratulations on a job very well done."
"People were not sure what to expect but were very pleasantly surprised."
"Nothing but praise for The Wild Cards and the event as a whole."
"Definitely want the group to celebrate their 2nd anniversary with us."

Knights of Columbus Hall May 6, 2016
"Started off really well. Wish we could have stayed longer."
"You are destined to make it big."

Vanier Legion April 10, 2016

"AWESOME would definitely be the key word. You guys/gals were amazing.”
“ I am so looking forward to meeting with your group in the future. You ROCK.”
“I will be paying the highest recommendations on your skill set and energy.”
“I see the beginnings of a beautiful partnership.”

Greenfields Pub & Eatery October 19, 2015
"Great to hear some old standards and arrangements of other stuff as well!"
"Enjoyed the music...was a fun time."
"Great evening. The best the band had played so far!"
"Only 6 months old? Great job and thanks for the invite. "

Accora Village - Resident Appreciation Event July 25, 2015
“I just wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank you all so very much for making this happen.”
“Lots of positive feedback from our residents. They really enjoyed you guys!”
"Tunes were a perfect accompaniment to our lunch, thank you."
"You are a lovely band and you sound so great."

Blackburn FunFair June 6, 2015
"Wish we could hear more bands like yours!"
"A trip down memory lane is a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon."
"Fans of this music will be glad you’re on the scene; love your business cards."

Bass Line Station - Food Bank Fundraiser April 25, 2015
“THE biggest band to ever appear on our stage; what a wonderful experience!”
“We had a full house and people are still talking about the event.”
“Thanks to you, we decided to change our mission statement to include ‘all genres of live music’!”

The Crazy Horse April 11, 2015
"What a surprise to take a break from shopping and have a bite to eat in front of a live big band.
It was lovely to dance again to a a song (Bandstand Boogie) that we danced to as teenagers in the 1950s."
“Pleased staff and customers, thank you.”

GIGS
Come hear us play

UPCOMING:

Sunday, May 5, 2024 / 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Buster’s Bar & Grill / 420 Hazeldean Rd., Kanata
Join the big band ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET!
Donations toward Knox Presbyterian’s Out Of The Cold program gratefully accepted
NO COVER / Reservations 613 836 7007

Sunday, June 9, 2024 / 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Buster’s Bar & Grill / 420 Hazeldean Rd., Kanata
LIVIN' LA VIDA LOCA with the pocket!
Donations toward Knox Presbyterian’s Out Of The Cold program gratefully accepted
NO COVER / Reservations 613 836 7007

Sunday, June 23, 2024 6:30 - 8:30pm
PRIVATE EVENT with the BIG BAND at the Manotick Community Centre
Donations toward Knox Presbyterian’s Out Of The Cold program gratefully accepted

Thursday, June 27, 2024. 7:15 - 8:15pm
PRIVATE EVENT with the POCKET BAND at Maplewood Retirement Community

Thursday, July 25, 2024. 7:15 - 8:15pm
PRIVATE EVENT with the POCKET BAND at Maplewood Retirement Community

Thursday, August 22, 2024. 7:15 - 8:15pm
PRIVATE EVENT with the POCKET BAND at Maplewood Retirement Community

Sunday, September 15, 2024 / 2:00 – 5:00 PM with the POCKET BAND
Buster’s Bar & Grill / 420 Hazeldean Rd., Kanata
Donations toward Knox Presbyterian’s Out Of The Cold program gratefully accepted
NO COVER / Reservations 613 836 7007

Sunday, October 27, 2024 / 2:00 – 5:00 PM with the BIG BAND
Buster’s Bar & Grill / 420 Hazeldean Rd., Kanata
Donations toward Knox Presbyterian’s Out Of The Cold program gratefully accepted
NO COVER / Reservations 613 836 7007

Sunday, November 10, 2024 / 2:00 – 5:00 PM with the POCKET BAND
Buster’s Bar & Grill / 420 Hazeldean Rd., Kanata
Donations toward Knox Presbyterian’s Out Of The Cold program gratefully accepted
NO COVER / Reservations 613 836 7007

Sunday, December 8, 2024 / 2:00 – 5:00 PM with the BIG BAND
Buster’s Bar & Grill / 420 Hazeldean Rd., Kanata
Donations toward Knox Presbyterian’s Out Of The Cold program gratefully accepted
NO COVER / Reservations 613 836 7007

PREVIOUS:

Buster’s Bar & Grill with the Pocket Band
Sunday, April 14, 2024 Featuring the vocals of Wendy Martin, Diana-Lynn Kyd, and Mike Murphy

Buster’s Bar & Grill with the Big Band
Sunday, March 17, 2024 Featuring the vocals of Krista Grant and Wendy Martin

Buster’s Bar & Grill with the Pocket Band
Sunday, February 25, 2023 Featuring the vocals of Fiona George, Diana-Lynn Kyd, and
Mike Murphy

Buster’s Bar & Grill with the Big Band
Sunday, January 21, 2024 Featuring the vocals of Stephanie Pierre

Buster’s Bar & Grill with the Pocket Band
Sunday, December 17, 2023 Featuring the vocals of Fiona George, Diana-Lynn Kyd, and
Mike Murphy

PRIVATE EVENT with the Big Band at Granite Ridge Care Community
Saturday, December 9, 2023

PRIVATE EVENT with the Pocket Band at Granite Ridge Care Community
Saturday, December 2, 2023

Buster’s Bar & Grill with the Big Band
Sunday, November 26, 2023 Featuring the vocals of Stephanie Pierre

Buster’s Bar & Grill with the Pocket Band
Sunday, October 22, 2023 Featuring the vocals of Wendy Martin and Diana-Lynn Kyd

Buster’s Bar & Grill with the Big Band
Sunday, September 24, 2023 Featuring the vocals of Malcolm Wade and Fiona George

Buster’s Bar & Grill with the Pocket Band
Sunday, May 28, 2023 Featuring the vocals of Wendy Martin and Diana-Lynn Kyd

Swing into Spring / Out Of The Cold Fundraiser with the Big Band
Saturday, April 29, 2023 in the Sanctuary of Knox Presbyterian Church.
Featuring the vocals of Fiona George, Malcolm Wade, and Wendy Martin.

Buster’s Bar & Grill with the Pocket Band
Sunday, March 19, 2023 Featuring the vocals of Fiona George, Mike Murphy, and Wendy Martin

Ottawa Swing Dance Society with the Big Band
Friday, February 10, 2023 Featuring the vocals of Dave Arthur

Buster's Bar & Grill with the Big Band
Sunday, January 29, 2023 Featuring the vocals of Malcolm Wade and Fiona George

PRIVATE EVENT with the Big Band at Granite Ridge Care Community
Saturday, December 10, 2022 Featuring the vocals of Malcolm Wade

PRIVATE EVENT with the Pocket Band at Granite Ridge Care Community
Saturday, December 3, 2022 Featuring the vocals of Mike Murphy and Wendy Martin

The Capital Fair, Rideau Carleton Raceway with The Wild Cards POCKET BAND
Sunday, August 14, 2022 Featuring the vocals of Mike Murphy and Wendy Martin

BBQ lunch, held at the Promenade Retirement home in Orleans to support Ukrainian refugees relocating to Ottawa
Friday, June 17, 2022 TWC combo featuring Doug Martin

NOSTALGIA NIGHT with the Pocket Band at the Blackburn Funfair
Friday, June 3, 2022 Featuring the vocals of Mike Murphy and Wendy Martin

DANCE with the POCKET BAND at the Greely Community Center
Sunday, May 29, 2022 Featuring the vocals of Mike Murphy and Fiona George

CANCELLED due to COVID-19
DANCE with the POCKET BAND at the Dovercourt Recreation Centre
Sunday, March 27, 2022

CANCELLED due to COVID-19
DANCE with the POCKET BAND at the Dovercourt Recreation Centre
Sunday, January 30, 2022

CANCELLED due to COVID-19
PRIVATE EVENT with the big band at Granite Ridge Care Community
Saturday, December 4, 2021

CANCELLED due to COVID-19
DANCE with the POCKET BAND at the Dovercourt Recreation Centre
Sunday, May 30, 2021

CANCELLED due to COVID-19
DANCE with the POCKET BAND at the Dovercourt Recreation Centre
Sunday, March 28, 2021

CANCELLED due to COVID-19
DANCE with the POCKET BAND at the Dovercourt Recreation Centre
Sunday, January 31, 2021

CANCELLED due to COVID-19
PRIVATE EVENT with the big band at Granite Ridge Care Community
Saturday, December 5, 2020

CANCELLED due to COVID-19
PRIVATE EVENT with the POCKET BAND at Maplewood Retirement Community
Wednesday, August 19, 2020 / Featuring the vocals of Mike Murphy and Wendy Martin

CANCELLED due to COVID-19
PRIVATE EVENT with the POCKET BAND at Maplewood Retirement Community
Wednesday, July 15, 2020 / Featuring the vocals of Pauline Proulx

CANCELLED due to COVID-19
PRIVATE EVENT with the POCKET BAND at Maplewood Retirement Community
Wednesday, June 17, 2020 / Featuring the vocals of Fiona George

CANCELLED due to COVID-19
DANCE with the POCKET BAND at the Dovercourt Recreation Centre
Sunday, May 31, 2020 / Featuring the vocals of Pauline Proulx

CANCELLED due to COVID-19
DANCE with the POCKET BAND at the Dovercourt Recreation Centre
Sunday, March 29, 2020 Featuring the vocals of Fiona George

NON-SWING DANCE with the BIG BAND at the Dovercourt Recreation Centre
Sunday, February 23, 2020 Featuring the vocals of Fiona George

DANCE with the POCKET BAND at the Dovercourt Recreation Centre
Sunday, January 26, 2020 Featuring the vocals of Mike Murphy and Wendy Martin

PRIVATE EVENT with the BIG BAND at Granite Ridge Care Community
Saturday, December 7, 2019 Christmas Concert for the Residents

DANCE with the POCKET BAND at the Dovercourt Recreation Centre
Sunday, October 27, 2019 Featuring the vocals of John Graham

PRIVATE EVENT with the POCKET BAND at Riverpath Retirement Community
Wednesday, September 18, 2019 Featuring the vocals of Fiona George

PRIVATE EVENT with the POCKET BAND at Riverpath Retirement Community
Wednesday, August 21, 2019 Featuring the vocals of Mike Murphy and Wendy Martin

PRIVATE EVENT with the POCKET BAND at Riverpath Retirement Community
Wednesday, July 17, 2019 Featuring the vocals of Pauline Proulx

NOSTALGIA NIGHT with the pocket at the Blackburn FunFair
Friday, May 31, 2019 featuring the vocals of Mike Murphy and Wendy Martin

DANCE with the POCKET BAND at the Dovercourt Recreation Centre
Sunday, May 26, 2019 featuring the vocals of Pauline Proulx

CASINO NIGHT with the Pocket Band at the Red Oak Retirement Home
Thursday, May 9, 2019 featuring the vocals of Wendy Martin and Mike Murphy

PRIVATE EVENT for the Pocket Band at the Beacon Heights Retirement Residence
Sunday, May 5, 2019 featuring the vocals of Pauline Proulx

4th anniversary BIG BAND concert-dance/Out of the Cold Fundraiser
Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Elgin, Ottawa
Saturday, April 27, 2019 / 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Featuring the vocals of Malcolm Wade

DANCE with the POCKET BAND at the Dovercourt Recreation Centre
411 Dovercourt Ave., Ottawa / No cover
Sunday, March 31, 2019 / 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Featuring the vocals of John Graham

DANCE to both bands at the Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre
102 Greenview Ave., Ottawa
Saturday, February 9, 2019 / 7:30 – 10:30 PM
Featuring the vocals of Peter Liu
“Talk about a transformation! I was expecting to hear swing all night and was delighted by the eclectic repertoire.”
“Awesome. I’d never experienced the sound of a real big band before and I loved it.”
“A dynamic and versatile performance by this band. I’m looking forward to more.”
“Sit back and relive moments. That’s what I did all night. I loved the selections.

DANCE with the POCKET BAND at the Dovercourt Recreation Centre
411 Dovercourt Ave., Ottawa / No cover
Sunday, January 27, 2019 / 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Featuring the vocals of Mike Murphy and Wendy Martin

“Not into rap or screamers. Loved your variety and your singers.”
“Well-chosen, well-balanced songs presented in a well-paced way. I was an audio tech in my youth and, now that I’m wearing hearing aids, I just want to say BRAVO!”
“I was dragged out to this show...free means not good enough to charge money, right?...how wrong I was. It was my first time checking out this band, but not my last. I didn’t regret a minute and will be a fan for life.”
“I loved the sparkle. Good decision to add lights, and great costume choices.”

BATTLE OF THE BIG BANDS! The Wild Cards and Big Band Ottawa
Greenfields, 900 Greenbank Road, Ottawa
Sunday, November 11, 2018, featuring the vocals of Pauline Proulx

“Highest regards to you for how you handled this sensitive day.”
“I was there for the original battles and I loved that your band stuck to the music from back then.”
“It being the 100th anniversary of Armistice, I enjoyed all of the references and was delighted to hear Tie A Yellow Ribbon as your last song. It was fitting for today’s veterans.”
“Thank you for creating such a memorable event. We’re looking forward to the next battle!”

DANCE with the POCKET BAND at the Dovercourt Recreation Centre
411 Dovercourt Ave., Ottawa
Sunday, October 28 , 2018, featuring the vocals of Fiona George

“Your ability to switch genres is effortless and much appreciated.”
“Wonderful music. It’s sad that so much of the next generation’s introduction to music is mostly through screaming guitars.”
“I attended this event to indulge a friend and ended up being blown away by the entire experience.”
“All ages were there and all had so much fun!”

Seniors' Dance with the POCKET BAND at the Orléans Y
265 blvd Centrum Blvd
Saturday, October 13, 2018, featuring the vocals of Fiona George

“We were thrilled that you learned YMCA especially for us. Thank you so much!”
“The styles chosen and the flow were absolutely perfect. I hope to see more dancers the next time.”
“What a pleasure to see, and hear, the gym transformed this afternoon!”
“Everyone was impressed by the professionalism of the band and the quality of the music.”

Ottawa Swing Dance Society with the BIG BAND
St-Joseph’s Parish, 174 Wilbrod, Ottawa
Friday, October 12, 2018, featuring the vocals of Pauline Proulx
“The music and the energy in the room was great.”
“Amazing! Every single person was dancing at some point.”
“We didn’t know what to expect from your band because you’re so new to the Ottawa swing scene, but we weren’t disappointed.”
“You played to the crowd and kept everyone engaged, and that’s not easy with this group!”

DANCE with the POCKET BAND at the Dovercourt Recreation Centre
Sunday, June 24, 2018 – theme: Rock 'n' Roll
Featuring the vocals of Mike Murphy

3rd anniversary BIG BAND concert-dance/Out of the Cold Fundraiser
Knox Presbyterian, 120 Elgin, Saturday, May 12, 2018
Featuring the vocals of Peter Liu

“Amazing band. Delightful to see a church dance floor packed in the middle of the afternoon!”
“Every musician was just phenomenal. I am a musician and a lot of guests were, and we/they were just blown away by the professional quality of the sound.”
“The band received countless compliments after they played and all were well-deserved. They completely exceeded my expectations.”
“This band is talented and tight, and they sounded amazing. Guests left on a high note!”
"I grew up listening to the big band sound during and after World War II. The Wild Cards need and deserve more publicity and public appreciation as, so far as I know, it is the only big band worthy of comparison with the late Dorsey brothers, Miller, Beneke, Brown and many others whose names remain engraved in my fading memory."

DANCE with the POCKET BAND at the Dovercourt Recreation Centre
Sunday, April 29, 2018 – theme: Swing into Spring
Featuring the vocals of Pauline Proulx

DANCE with the POCKET BAND at the Dovercourt Recreation Centre
Sunday, February 25, 2018 – theme: Nostalgia
Featuring the vocals of Fiona George

2nd Anniversary Concert/Out of the Cold Fundraiser April 30, 2017
Knox Presbyterian Church, featuring the vocals of Rory McGlynn
"My toes are still tapping. Hope the 3rd anniversary has a dance floor."
"Merci d'avoir contribué à cet après-midi inoubliable. Au plaisir de vous revoir."
"I sincerely hope this experience can be renewed!"
"It's nice to see the musicians having as much fun as the crowd."