Profile
About GALE FORCE BLUES BAND
Jon Gale – (Howlin’ Jon) – Vocals and Guitar – Howlin’ Jon has been a fixture on the local blues scene for the past 2 decades. Exposed to Chicago Blues in the mid 60’s while in his teens, he knew that blues would been his genre of choice. Howlin’ Jon formed the Gale Force Blues Band 18 years ago and it has been performing on a regular basis around the lower mainland. In recent years he hosts blues jams at local venues as well as on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise (www.bluescruise.com). Jon often performs in California and Florida and has done a number of performances with the Seattle based Randy Oxford Band. He has had the honour to share the stage with blues luminaries such as Tab Benoit, Tommy Castro, Deanna Bogart and Mr. Sipp.
Terry Raible – (Joe) – Vocals and Drums – Terry is excited to be playing drums and sharing lead vocals with Howlin’ Jon. Over the last 50+ years Terry has had the honour to play with a number of local Vancouver Bands such as Wizbang, Penny Arcade, Pizaz, Opus 81, Sterling and Time Machine. There were a few years where he put the drums in storage and started singing lead vocals with Bands like Granville and All About Jack. He currently one of the Lead Vocalists with Big City Soul and is the main attraction in Feeling Alright – a tribute to Joe Cocker. Getting back on the kit is a blast for Terry, and playing and singing the Blues with The Gale Force Blues Band is a ton of fun. He hopes all you Blues Fans will come out to our shows. As Terry says – Blues is my Business and Business is Good.
Howard Greenstein – (Howie) – Keyboard – Howard is a keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist who started on piano at age 5 and guitar at age 12. While he was trained in classical and jazz piano, he learned blues and rock guitar by ear. After playing jazz and R & B, Howard came home to the blues and is a committed bluesman. He has played Hammond organ in a number of blues house bands in Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He has accompanied many Canadian and U.S. blues artists on organ, piano and electric pianos in club and festival settings. He loves playing blues and has been a proud member of The Gale Force Blues Band based in South Surrey-White Rock as well as making appearances with other blues artists.
Mike Carter – (Maui Mike) – Guitar – Mike is known in Vancouver as founder of “The Blues Piggies Band “and “The long running Docs Rock for the Children’s Wish Foundation.” He disappointed his parents by switching from classical music to Blues guitar in his early teens after hearing and meeting Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee. Mike played and toured with many Pop, Rock and Blues bands in the mid sixties, culminating in playing with the first incarnation of the “Liverpool Scene “at Liverpool Uni.” After a 10 year hiatus from playing, he started again when he moved to Canada in 1979 and has continued in many bands since. He very much enjoys The Gale Force Blues Band, especially Howlin’ Jon’s knowledge of Chicago and contemporary blues.
Mike Ellerbeck – (Brad) – Bass – Mike began his musical life taking organ lessons from Carillon music in Rootin’ Tootin’ Newton in Vancouver as a young boy back in the mid 70’s. He joined his first band at 14 as an organ player but started playing bass at 17. For the past 35 years Mike has been playing bass around the lower mainland and the Gulf Islands. He has played with a number of original artists in folk, country, and rock bands and shared the stage with the yet unknown Sam Roberts at Canada Music Week in Toronto in 2005. After spending a few years working with original artists in Vancouver, Mike settled in to the local blues music scene. He always strives to become the best blues bass player he can be, and is known for his energized style of playing which provides a solid foundation for the band. He is a prominent sideman for a number of local bands and is very excited to be playing with The Gale Force Blues Band. Blues runs in his blood, and Mike lays down the groove, confidently playing the bass lines with his great blues feel.
Elena Butler (Tambelena) – Percussion and Back Up Vocals – Born into a musical family, Tambelena was always dancing to all genre’s of music. She transformed her love of music and dance into playing percussion, filling the rhythm section with groove and beat. She has had the honour of playing with many fine bands and performers in Canada and the USA. With a wide variety of percussion instruments in her arsenal, Tambelena hopes to see you movin’ and groovin’ at live music venues everywhere.
Favorite quotes
May the Force be with you!
