About | Growler

Creative. Contemporary. Groove

Growler is a Canadian quintet that performs genre-defying contemporary jazz. The music is refreshing, often melodic, at times complicated and always entertaining. All the music is created by members of Growler. Rather than a Bandleader, we have chosen to all contribute to the refinement of our music. Members are Tony Smith - Guitars, Joe Palawan - Keyboards, Joaquin Hidalgo - Drums, Paul Cafarelli - Bass and Mark Daniels - Percussion.

Guitar

Tony Smith

Guitarist - Growler
A Toronto native, Tony gigged in Toronto for 10 years, then moved to Europe, gigging in England and France.
Joined Roy Ayers European/American lineup while in Europe touring Europe, Japan, Australia and more.
Recorded 8 CDs of original material.

TonySmith.growler@gmail.com

Drums

Joaquin Nunez Hidalgo

Its hard to write a single paragraph about Joaquin Nunez Hidalgo. HIs career, to date, includes performing with many genres of music from Latin to Latin Big Band to jazz to working with famous vocalists (The Tenors) to directing and producing Italian Superstars (Zucchero). A teacher at Humber College, Toronto District School Board and System Toronto, Joaquin also is the MD for Rumberos Drums. This is just a small highlight of Mr. Nunez long and successful career.

JoaquinHidalgo.growler@gmail.com

Bass

Paul Cafarelli

Paul claims that he has never played Bass in any known Bands and has always worked with unknown Artists. But, as the entire Growler Band agrees, that may be the case, but Paul is as talented and hard working as any musician any of us have ever met. A quick study, Paul brings a solid dynamic to the sound, holding the rhythm section down in very solid fashion. We are lucky to have him in the Band.

PaulCafarelli.growler@gmail.com

Keyboards

Joe Palawan

Joe Palawan is a versatile Keyboard Player and Composer/Arranger. Performing in Showbands, Concert Bands, Cruise Ships and Dance Bands, Joe has performed all around the world, notably Japan, Philippines, Cyprus, Italy, USA, The Middle East and Canada. Joe has worked with The Delfonics, and a former The Platters singer as his Musical Director. Joes incredible touch and ability to hear ‘music inside the music’ makes him a valuable musical asset to Growler.

JoePalawan.growler@gmail.com

Percussion

Mark Daniels

Started playing drums at 12 and then again at 50. Collaborated with Joaquin Hidalgo on a number of projects including
Aqwa and Really Big World. Also became the percussionist for Crack of Dawn, a seminal black funk band in Toronto.
Now Mark is percussionist for Growler and Executive Producer on the soon to released first CD.

MarkDaniels.growler@gmail.com

Get in Touch

186 Bartley Dr

North York, ON M4A 1E1

For Booking contact:

Olga Zayas

jddrums13@gmail.com

416 274 7567