Biography

Kieran Sloan - Vocals

Kieran has been dancing and singing up a storm in Canberra since he was in high school.  His music career took off in the R&B/pop group 925 later known as D'Verse. The four piece group travelled the country appearing on television and entertaining fans with their high energetic choreographed shows and smooth harmonies (one of their back-up dancers was the amazing Timomatic!).  The group performed with and supported many national and international acts.  Kieran has performed and recorded with acclaimed artists such as Marcia Hines and Jon Stevens.  

Toni Maxfield - Vocals

Toni has been performing in Canberra for longer than she wishes to disclose.  She has been involved in cover bands, original bands, singing jingles, recorded a children’s CD and performed in numerous musical theatre productions.  Toni was nominated for a Canberra Area Theatre award for her roles as Sandy in Grease, and Marian in Shout!  Along with her commitment to Big Boss Groove Toni is currently a part time vocalist with the Royal Military College Band Duntroon and is also the CEO of Music For Everyone, a community music school located in the Ainsle Arts Centre.

Ruslan Babajanov - Sax

'Bubba' is Big Boss Groove's sax man, imported all the way from Kazakhstan.  Bubba moved to Australia in 1994 after completing his classical saxophone degree.  He played with rock n roll band 'Happy Dayz' and with 'Club Morocco Latin Band' in Adelaide while finishing his honors degree in Jazz.  In 2003 he moved to Canberra to join the Royal Military College band.  Bubba was an instrumental member of band Big Boss Groove. 

Col Bernau - Guitar

Col is a guitarist, performer & music teacher, playing a variety of styles in a wide range of situations. Col has worked with many well known artists, ranging from Australian acts like Jade Hurley, Daryl Braithwaite, Simon Gallagher, Jackie Love and Normie Rowe in the cabaret and rock fields and Ricky May and Erroll Buddle in the jazz field.  Col has worked with international stars such as Al Martino and Thelma Houston, plus supported a broad variety of international and national artists, varying from B.B. King, Joe Cocker, Leo Sayer, the Pointer Sisters and Hot Chocolate to Renee Geyer, Split Enz, John Paul Young and Jon English.  Col completed his Diploma of Music (Jazz Studies) in 1988, and has taught classroom music at Marist College since 1990.

Scott Temby - Bass

At just 20 years of age, Scott Temby is the youngest member of the band. He is currently in his final year of a Bachelor of Music (Performance) at ANU, and has studied with Eric Ajaye, Miroslav Bukovsky, Vince Jones, Mike Price, as well as many other acclaimed musicians. Scott has performed all over NSW and VIC, as well as New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, Hawaii, and New Zealand. Scott also plays the trumpet, piano, and guitar, and is an accomplished audio engineer, having worked at the ANU studio as well as recording many local artists at his home studio. Outside of performing, Scott also arranges, composes, and teaches music.

Bruce Smyth - Drums

Bruce “Bruiser” Smyth played drums professionally in Melbourne during the late 1970s to the late 1980s. He’s toured with blues legend Bo Didley, played on Countdown, spent a year on the road with Chad Morgan, and backed artists such as the Drifters (USA), Ricky May, Jimmy Little, and many others. He’s done many recording sessions, was one of the early drummers in Melbourne soul band Grand Wazoo, and played in the original Melbourne season of Little Shop of Horrors. After a 25-year break, he’s back and bigger than ever, smashing out the beats for Big Boss Groove!!!  

Darren Ormsby - Trombone

Dazza has a vast range of experience playing trombone In various groups from jazz and dixie through to big bands and orchestras.  He has performed with great artists such as Doug Parkinson, Guy Sebastian, John Farnham, James Morrison, Emma Pask, plus various other Australian and international artists.

Doug Hall- Keys

Doug 'magic fingers' Hall is a multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire.  He has performed with numerous acts both in Australia and abroad in many different ensembles and styles from classical to metal.