Tom Easley, Bill Stevenson and Geoff Arsenault are three of Canada’s top musical talents. Their impressive credits as sidemen include a myriad of performances and recordings with a list of greats that reads like a ‘who’s who’ of roots, blues and jazz icons. They have, as individuals and together, been nominated for and received multiple East Coast Music Awards and Canadian Maple Blues Awards. For years, the trio has shared an uncanny ability to compliment each others musicality. It was only a matter of time before they would create a stellar collection of songs that represent their writing and shared collaborative talents. Nine Steps, an energetic blend of blues-based jazz, was produced by Tom, Bill and Geoff along with Charles Austin. It features eight original songs and a cover of Bob Dylan’s “Just Like a Woman”. Bill’s revered urban piano blues, Tom’s upright bass mastery and Geoff’s unique and consummate rhythmic approaches give life to a collection of music and lyrics reflecting years of playing together and a deep-rooted friendship as members of a distinct musical community. TOM EASLEY (double bass/backing vocals) Tom has earned a reputation as one of Eastern Canada’s first- call bassists. Throughout his successful career as a performer and session musician he has played with many of the top jazz, blues and folk acts. Tom co-leads the ECMA winning group, Hot Toddy Trio, with whom he has co-produced and released seven CD's. With Hot Toddy, Tom has performed at most major jazz and blues festivals across Canada, Europe and the United States. Tom received the 2007 ECMA for Jazz Recording of the Year and has been nominated three times for Bass Player of the Year by Toronto’s Maple Blues Society. He has a Music Degree from St. FX in Honours Jazz Performance and holds a faculty position at NSCC's Music Arts Program. BILL STEVENSON (piano/organ/vocals) In over 40 years as a musician, Bill recorded for Elektra Records while still in his teens, opened for the Doors, backed up John Lee Hooker, performed and recorded in bands behind some of Canada’s best loved musicians, including Amos Garrett, Colleen Peterson and Linda Carvery. He has hosted his own National radio series for CBC. He has been a contributing side man to multi-award winning albums by Garrett Mason, Thom Swift, Hot Toddy Trio and now includes his own win with a 2008 ECMA for Jazz Recording of the Year. His participation in the Jazz/Blues idiom has earned him a respected place in the national music spectrum. GEOFF ARSENAULT (drums/backing vocals) Geoff started playing dance halls in rural Nova Scotia at age 14. He travelled the blues and jazz circuit in Halifax and Ottawa in the late 70s and by the mid 80’s he moved to Toronto and began to tour the country and world with artists such as Rita MacNeil, Morgan Davis, Carlos del Junco and Collin Linden, Ray Bonneville, Mary Jane Lamond, Hot Toddy Trio, Thom Swift and more.