Rayman's Reggae with Rock, Country, Blues is a new sound

Listen to Rayman Here 

If you are looking for a distinct sound, rooted in reggae, Ray Rayman Yap, until recently known along with his band as The Yappers, fits the bill. While most similarly inclined artists using a reggae back beat tend to take a reggae beat and bring it to the punk rock side such as Ska bands, rarely is it taken to the rock or blues side and none bring it to the country side - something that always intrigued Rayman. 

Born of  Chinese parents raised in Jamaica, while he himself was mostly raised in California, going back and forth when young to his grandparents in Jamaica before eventually settling in  California long before coming to Toronto, Ontario, Canada where he left the music scene, returning as an original artist in 2013.

Rayman's musical bloodlines run true, influenced by his uncle Phil Chen, a Chinese-Jamaican Brit who was England's most used sessions bass player to all the big rock groups in the 70's and 80's including Jeff Beck, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bob Marley, Pete Townsend,  Eric Clapton and Rod Stewart, playing on Hot Legs among others and is the current bass player for The Doors.

Getting prepared to play on the steps of Parliament April 20, 2018, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Uncle Phil was an early influence on Rayman providing him his first guitar at age 9 and encouraging him.Ray'd listen to records his uncle played on and attended his concerts. Meantime Ray's parents had always played reggae and a young Raymond Yap unknowingly had begun to soak up his future sound, as bands like The Police began to take foothold in his brain alongside other influences like The Specials and The Selector.The California music scene was also littered with country rock at the time adding to his music's influence and Rayman and his bands played some of the hippest clubs in Hollywood including "The Roxy' and " The Whiskey"aGogo before he was old enough to legally drink!

Debut CD

The Resurrection

It wasn't until after he had a wife and kids and had moved to the burbs in Aurora, Ontario, Canada where he self-taught himself how to mix and record his music that Ray really discovered "his own sound". And after finally sitting down and writing some lyrics to his songs and recording, while playing each track himself separately and then mixing it, he brought it his final product to an audio expert to get better sound but the guy was blown away.

"How did you get the bass to sound like that?" he'd asked, adding, "Buddy you don't understand. You have got your own sound here. You gotta get this out for people to hear."

Rayman now plays his solo gigs like that - he performs live but pre-records and lays down all his own backtracks to every song for seamless on-stage performing. Rayman's One Man Show is a simple set-up also for smaller venues up to 150 people and it adds the value of time saving - staff love that - while his state of the art sound equipment weighs a whopping 17 lbs! It also allows that the drums do not overwhelm which is often an issue in smaller venues.

A Broad Appeal

The Yappers form in 2013

Before going "live" Rayman first tested reaction to "his sound" online and through internet radio achieving raves from the Brits.

And now with dozens of "local" gigs under his belts at such Toronto hotspots as The Hard Rock Cafe, The Mod Club, The Opera House, Lees Palace, The El Mocambo, Rock Pile, Velvet Underground and as headliner in Ottawa at the steps of  Rideau Hall on 420 Day for the last 3 years, Rayman is growing a legion of followers - many from the university scene and the 18-45 age bracket and has been picked up for regular airplay on British radio. His band The Yappers are also well known in the medical marijuana circles and well respected and loved in the that fan base too although Rayman 's about the music. A typical show is composed of originals splashed with some covers done in Yap's own unique style.

Link To Music Video.

The sound is what is exciting to music fans and musicians alike - it's not everyday you hear a brand new sound!

And Now you can enjoy Rayman  on Face Book!

You can get more info about Rayman or to purchase the music or buy songs here or to book call TPEntertainment & Productions at 289-221-0928 or email tpeproductions@gmail.com. 

Tom Pearson - Actor and Talent Profile

Who is Tom Pearson?

Good question. Jury is still out! Actor, Director, Writer, Voice-over Artist, Creator and Tom is also the President of the Very Useful Theatre Company which produces the Newmarket International Festival of One Act Plays.

Most recent acting work includes currently shooting as a prinicipal Actor in a proposed series called Raven and is starring in a period piece pilot called Grace & Justice. See the rough cuts here. As Well TP just finshised as principal actor in the film The Hangman in which TP is both the Hangman by night as well as an "entertainment  reporter" by day - 2024 release.

Tom Pearson Recent Voice-over 

TP does both Santa and Capt Edge Hawk here.

TP using Announcer style  TP Voice-over  

TP does the voices of puppets,  Rusty and Rudy

TP in story-teller Narrator style

Tom foolery - comedic voices variety 

Height: 5'9 Weight:165 lbs, Hair: Salt n Pepper Eyes: Hazel-Blue : Waist 34" Neck: 16" Shoulders 38" Leg inseam - 32"

Current Agent: TP Entertainment and Productions 

More Tom Bits

Past appeared on TV Series' Forever Knight, Top Cops, Secret Service, TV movie The Steven Truscott Trial and was the feature "Best Of" Elvis and Impressionist on City TV's Speakers Corner.

1999 - Yuk Yuk's - Stand Up Comedy Performer 
@ " Canada's Funniest New Comic "

2000 - Producer and Principal Actor in  The Canadian Improv Showcase for both live performances and TV show while attending film school - graduating with honours @ Trebas. 

2000 - Present - MC / Host Live Shows  Comedy-Impressions

TV Host

Prior, TP had already written, hosted, and produced shows for Rogers / Shaw Cable including Out and About for four years, that focused on dining and entertainment. The entertainment focused show was a first of today's versions and TP always added some wacky, original characters. Show Highlights included interviewing The Good Brothers and Comedians Derek Edwards and Mike Bullard then with Yuk Yuk's prior to his becoming a Host himself for C.T.V. and radio.

Tom Pearson sings Elvis

Radio, TV & Film / Productions 

TP always kept a hand in the industry via his own productions, online work, and working in various other projects freelance such as this radio show live tribute to the troops produced and Co-Hosted by Tom Pearson, taped on and airing on Remembrance Day in Afghanistan as well as world-wide.

Other recent highlight TP reel moments

2012 - Live Performer / Impressionist : Elvis @ Collingwood Elvis Festival - audience of 30,000

TP gets opinions on festival winning documentary

2012 - 13 - Voice-Over Talent / Writer: 

Short Film - Ad spot - Canadian Labour Congress contest winning entry - One Minute Short - 

"One Paycheck Away" chosen the winning entry online from voters across Canada and used in their national ad campaign.

2013 - 14 - Writer, Actor, Director  Short Film "Shoots, Scores" play part of the teacher and "parents voices" which debuted as part of York Region School Board's Quest For Youth presentation to an international audience and on Rogers TV and subsequently released as a stand alone short in the PlaYR film festival in 2015. TP was commended for working with and mentoring an Asperger's syndrome (autistic) youth on the production.

2015 - Director / Writer / Host / Voice-Over - Short Film - A Thin Pink Line - Winner Best documentary 2015 PLaYR Film Festival.

2010 -16 - TP Entertainment's online videos now over 500,000 views, from docs to comedies to commotions to serious reports.

What else? 

TP has also worked in the past as an Entertainment Editor / Columnist for CoverStory Newspaper and his entertainment blogs are well viewed online and optimized for long term branding - now over 500,000 views- and includes original characters & impressions by TP as well as original outside the box promotional and entertainment content originated by TP.

In 2017 TP appeared as lead Actor in the Comedy Short " I Begin Where You End" produced by That Guy Media and in 2020 field produced a piece for " Canada Remembers Our Heroes" TV Series as well as Wrote, Directed and Acted  as the lone Actor in the short film " Unknown Soldiers".

Award Winning Character

Tom Pearson has received numerous commendations for his work in community development including being nominated for a York Region Character Award and awarded the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 recognizing TP's contribution to country through community initiatives such as the 10 year run of the Friendly Neighborhood Youth Road Hockey Challenge which he created and as well helped start Operation Sparrow - chairing the non-profit group for 4 years- providing kids free access to sports, arts, and activities. Tom was also awarded the Member of Parliament's Medal in 2017 for volunteer service.

Contact TP @ 289-221-0928
tpeproductions@gmail.com

Tom Pearson April 2017

Hip Hop Talent - Dean Wild

Looking for a unique Hip Hop act? Someone that doesn't follow a cookie cutter?

Canadian Idol Judge Farley Flex said at a recent event TP was also a judge at, that the best acts are those true to themselves and not trying to copy someone else.

" You're not American. Why are you singing about the American experience" he told one act.

It's true too. Unique, original acts are what make it and I think Dean Wild is just different enough to get some stage time. It's up to her from there on to take it to another level.

 Recently I found one of Dean's tracks , Garden of Eden" to be a good fit for a promo piece I was doing. Now living in Aurora, Ontario, Canada and hailing from nearby Newmarket, this home-grown Hip Hop artist had her own unique experiences to draw from, having grown up in a smallish town with a semi-homophobic nature at the time, and was happy to oblige the piece with the soundtrack. Other tracks of hers I've checked out I found the same thing, signature.

Dean, along with her Stay Blessed Productions, have been playing gigs in and around the Toronto area for the past few years, some of which along with other Hip Hoppers TPE has captured live.

Interested in booking or in more info on Dean Wild?

HIP HOP Beats Duo Krhyme Syndicate York Region Music Gems

Richmond Hill based Krhyme Syndicate has been rappin on the doors of recording success for a number of years now and their seasoned brand of Hip Hop has been well received not only by Hip Hoppers and fans but by the other performers themselves and with the boys gettin' down with recognition from some of the "big boys' this past year as well, they are on a confidence buzz.

Recently TP Entertainment & Productions did a gig in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, featuring the duo along with a guest hip hop talent and using live bands on the back end of a classic rock & roll bands night and they were the stars! It was an incredible vibe actually. Club patrons from 20's to 70's were groovin' on the dance floor like nothing else, convincing me that there was a great market for Hip Hop out there in circles even one'd never have thought - including yours truly!

I look forward to these guys as I really get into and and enjoy it and you can to. Book em or come see them next -  

Fri Mar 14 Cameo Appearnce @ Big Daddys Rock & Roll Emporium in Newmarket, Ontario. Feature Feb 21 Contact  TPE to book your HIP HOP show! 289-221-0928

Country Psychedelic Classic Rock Music Band

Clean Fill Wanted describes themselves as a Psychedelic Country Rock Band. What does that mean? Well if you take good old polished talent guitars and vocalists and add a twist of keyboard electricity to the mix and some catchy original toe tapping to dance infusing numbers in the fray, you've got Clean Fill Wanted!


Founded by Pat Ruffolo and John Ellis 5 piece C.F.W.'s rockin' original tunes are a testament to their dedication to the craft, but they are not above belting out originals as well and can adjust the play-set to suit the show, event or function. You'll get some great soft and cutting rock tunes either way and some country /  folky flavours as well including a "kickass' old stand up bass that gets strummed like no other!

TPE

Clean Fill Wanted can play indoors or out

booked C.F.W. for the first time in cooperation with the 2007 Opening Face-Off Party where they rocked the house with Johnny coming out solo as well in between and so we looked them up for the events upcoming Fri Mar 14 2014, 10th Anniversary, Opening Face-Off Party  and to include their new Hockey Song!

A seasoned group, great fit for the right gig and ideal for corporates.
See more of  


CLEAN FILL WANTED here.For Booking info call TPE@ 289-221-0928  - Follow TPE on FB

Blues, Jazz, Latin Singer Extraordinaire Fluent Italian

I first caught  songbird Lori Viola's husky vocals while sitting at the piano bar lounge at Villa Risi Ristorante ( Envision me speaking ala Humphrey Bogart ). I'd been sitting at Villa Risi Ristorante in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada when suddenly this sultry voice wrapped in velvet enveloped my limited attention span - a feat in itself. I was enamored. This dame had class. Something, I, unfortunately, was born without. LORI VIOLA - Jazz, Blues, R&B, Latin, Swing, Italiano, Pop Singer

Lori Viola is also fluent in Italian and available alone, as a duo, or with her band.

Accompanied by her Pianoman, the steamy, bluesy,  jazzy, rythm and blues numbers Lori Viola belted out, added an ambiance so missing in today's G.T.A. entertainment scene - let alone dining and entertainment.

Performances in fine dining restaurants - even ones offering a fine cuisine and decor at affordable prices and a beautiful piano bar - are far and few between, and finding a gem Lady Singer with the range in both vocal abilities with the sheer volume of song selections that she was able to warble, was a definite bonus for me on this night setting mood as such I'd not had in some time in a restaurant. A walk back in time if you will, like an old movie sound track, and certainly a pleasure worthy of any special occasion, wedding, reception, anniversary, birthday, swank theme night, fundraiser, or suitable film / tv / video / audio production.

Lori's R&B version of a "Georgia" so touched a local radio station owner as to inquire as to who the singer of the beautiful recording he was listening too was, unaware whilst dining in another room, that the sultry voice was no recording at all but a live performance of Ms. Viola, prompting him to request a copy to play on their station - which they did much to her delight...and that of the listeners!

Don't take my word for it, glimpse Lori Viola's video performance captured at a recent show!  You can be a listener now as Lori is now available across York Region, The G.T.A. and The Golden Horseshoe for a limited number of private bookings. Make your special event remembered for all the right reasons. TP Bookings @ 289-221-0928

Live Stand Up and Improv Comedy Shows Booking in the G.T.A. and Newmarket

If you're looking for live comedy showsin the G.T.A., of the stand up kind at least, you have to look pretty hard. Sure there are sporadic showings of Yuk Yuks hosting various levels of shows here or there north of the city, but nothing sustained in one spot, and certainly no place that has claimed comedy as its own. TPE productions hopes to end that by offering live stand-up, emcee or improv comedy shows.Stellar Hall may just be that place.


I've noticed a lack of available comedy stages in the north of Toronto spots for a long time like Richmond Hill Markham, Thornhill and Vaughn as well as Stouffville, King, Aurora, Georgina and what have you ...Nothing!, And I don't think its because their isn't a market for it - Canadians attend comedy movies #1 of all genres - just that no one aside from Yuk Yuks has ever seemed to package anything affordably tangible and sustain it. Some improvisation troupes are around, I helped start one and was the original Producer and also for for the TV version of  The Canadian Improv Showcase, but it's not the same.

Around that time I was also a regular attendee of the Yuk Yuks stand-up comedy workshops run by the circuit pros and learned a lot from them. Guys like Mike Bullard, Glenn Foster and others taught us the ropes with the idea of it leading up to a performance in the Canada's Funniest New Comic Contest. It was literally my first time on stage doing my stand up routine on stage and didn't win - Jeremy Hotz did - but I did cut my teeth, and gained a respect for those that do it for a living.

Knowing this, I've always kept in the back of my mind the lure of comedy, and the need for a regular spot / stage north of Toronto to be showcasing comedic talent - not only for TPE, but for entertainments sake as I personally enjoy comedy and would like to have something nearby to keep myself entertained. I've done that a lot - created something to entertain myself. Ha. But usually others enjoy it too - like when as a single I got bored with the only 30plus bar worth salt in town and created my own licensed event night, complete with a buffet, live music(duo or trio) followed by a DJ / dance, had old TV movies and shows on the screens and ran games with prizes, like a mock version of the old "Dating Game" live. It was a blast...and so that in itself is the allure of putting on shows of any kind - whether it be a film or a live event - giving others a lift.

TP scouts talent

Recently I was invited by a Yuk Yukker agent (and former stand up comedian) to check out some of the up and coming performers for Yuk Yuks performers from across Canada, and looks like we have some great talent in the fish pool ready for the big time shows.TPE would likely use Yuk Yuk's for some venues but to create a local scene it will take other types of supportive comedy nights.

I likely will not host though, as I've come across a talented "young" stand-up comedy phenom, Jeff Leeson and a host of sidekick stand-up guys who can take the load while I can float in and out doing cameos or filler when needed.

What I have in mind is a similar set up for an open stage but with at least one feature comedian / host and perhaps, along with a  couple others to open the night and then open up the stage to amateurs.  This format can be tailored and is ideal for corporate gigs.

Perhaps a contest to find The G.T.A. suburbia's funniest comic!? Stay Tuned!

TP's " Pick Up Lines"