About Me
The Toronto Horns (TTH) were officially formed in 2006, by members Alexis Baro (trumpet), Mei Kelly (trombone) and Jeff King (sax). Although TTH were formed in 2006, they have been performing live, recording, and working on television for a number of years with artists such as: Divine Brown, Kollage, Robert Goulet, Paul Anka,Wayne Newton, Lonnie Smith,Hilario Duran,Jackie Richardson and Paul Schaffer. They have recorded for Canadian Idol, Summerset Records, Nelly Furtado. Television appearances include Canada's Walk of Fame, and the number 1 show in Canada, "Canadian Idol"Meirion (MEI)Kelly - TrombonIs a multifacetedinstrumentalist at home in the jazz settings,recording studios and broadcast stages of Toronto and beyond.The past twelve months of freelance work as a trombonist have brought him to engagements in jazz festivals throughout Ontario,a first call broadcast contract for CTV's Canadian Idol , and numerous club dates. Born in Meirionethshire, Wales on 1962, Meirion became a Canadian citizenin 1976. Mei's Education is extensive and International.In 2006 he received a Masters of Arts in jazz Studies from the Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College CUNY, where his teachers included (The Late) Sir. Roland Hanna, Conrad Herwig,Michael Mossman and Antonio Hart. Meirion is proud to hold a C.R.I.A. Gold Record and Juno Nomination garnered through local session work and is also a member of Canada's premier jazz ensemble Kollage, He is a member in good standing of local 149 American Federation of Musicians, the Ontario College of Teachers, and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation.Jeff King - SaxesToronto born musician Jeff King began performing at the early age of 15 in many R&B and jazz groups, all while still going to high school. His serious musical studies continued as he obtained a degree in classical music from the University of Western Ontario. While studying classical music, he continued to perform and work at his first musical love...JAZZ...and began performing more and more in the jazz idiom while in University.
His post-graduate studies brought him back to Toronto where he studied with Kirk MacDonald,Phil Nimmons, and a host of other Canadian and international jazz greats.
He now ejoys an active performing life both in Canada and in the U.S. He has recorded and performed with the likes of Paquito D' Rivera, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez, Paul Shaffer, Terry Clarke , Kieran Overs, Alexis Baro, David Braid, Luis Mario Ochoa, Joel Haynes, David Virelles, and most recently with Hilario Duran's Big Band. He also has two albums under his own leadership...."OFF Balance" and "Urban and Eastern"Alexis Baro -Trumpet & FlugelhornBorn and raised in the heart of Havana Cuba. His musical influences began with his family. His Mother is a cellist with the National Ballet company of Cuba and also a music teacher, one of his aunts plays Viola for the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba and the other two aunts violin and piano respectively.Alexis began playing trumpet at a very early age and has been classically trained in Cuba.He graduate from the Amadeo Roldan music institute , one of the top music schools in Cubawhere he received his music teaching certification. From the age of 19 he began working as the Lead Trumpet for the Radio and Television Orchestra of Cuba. for the next 2 years before making Toronto (Canada) his permanent new home in 2001. Alexis has toured Europe and canada with artists including Canefire,Kollage, Hilario Duran and David Ruder to name just a few. He has also performed with Paquito D' Rivera, Arturo Sandoval,Andrea Bocelli, Omara Portuondo, Robert Goulet, Paul Shaeffer, Paul Anka, David Foster,Baby Face, Wayne Newton, Michael Buble to name a few aswell.In 2004 he and Kollage received a National Jazz Award for best acoustic group, and he also has been nominated many times for trumpeter of the year. In 2007 he was co-winner of a Juno Award with Hilario Duran's Big Band. He also performs on live television for Canadian Idol and Canada's Walk of Fame.Alexis is a highly motivated and firey virtuoso trumpet player who is comfortable performing multiple genres of music in a variety of settings, from studio recordings , concerts and festivals to small and intimate. His musical passions range from Jazz, Funk , Soul,R&B and more. Alexis performs regulary in the Toronto Music scene and continues to record,teach,compose and arrange music.
