’Wild T & the Spirit’ are a powerful blues-rock band from Toronto, Canada that have released 5 CD's and currently tour all over Canada and Europe. The band has built up a strong & loyal fan base of musicians and music loving fans over the years with it's powerful live show!
Jeff Healey said, "I followed him around like he was the Messiah...Tony has been my idol for years!"
Originally, the band came together in 1990 with guitarist Tony 'Wild T' Springer, drummer Danny Bilan and bassist Nazem Lakay. The band was signed to Warner Music Canada and released 2 albums (Love Crazy 1991, Givin' Blood 1993). "Givin Blood" was nominated for best hard rock album at the 1994 JUNO (Canada's Grammy) awards. In 1993, 'Wild T & the Spirit' was also hand picked to perform on a 14 city tour across Canada opening for Bon Jovi on the "Keep The Faith Tour".
During this time, guitarist Springer was also invited to tour & record with David Bowie.
"A absolute delight to work with...a lyrical, lilting take on Hendrix" says David Bowie.
Springer appears on the CD "Back Tie, White Noise" and performed with Bowie in concert all over the US.
After the tour with David Bowie, the band went on a hiatus and Tony relocated to Chicago, USA where he continued gigging as a sideman with many great local & regional blues bands. One of the many highlights was opening up a string of concerts for "Deep Purple" in places like Detroit, Chicago & New York City.
By late 2002, Tony returned to Toronto and reformed the band with bassist Guenther Kapelle.
Guenther Kapelle had spent many years performing and recording in the Toronto & Los Angeles music scenes and has toured throughout Canada, USA and Europe with 'The Blazers', Jimmy O & Code Blue, blues guitarist Jason Buie and other acts.
With addition of drummer Brian Lass and veteran Toronto keyboardist Peter Nunn, the group recorded the CD "True Bliss", which was released in Canada, USA by Bullseye Records, and in Europe by Taxim Records in 2004.
"Wild T Springer is building a reputation for himself as the next premier guitarist to emerge from the Canadian music scene!" says Tom Richards of the Michigan Blues Society about the "True Bliss" CD.
The band then began a relentless tour schedule of Canada and Europe playing in many venues and festivals. This also included a stop at the BBC studios in London, England to perform live on "Paul Jones Blues Show" on BBC Radio 1.
A compilation CD of the first two 'Wild T & the Spirit' albums called "I've Got The Rhythm" was released in 2005.
In March 2006, the band returned to the power trio format minus the keyboards.
In 2008 the band released their 5 th full length album “Fender Bender” on Jazzhaus Records and toured Canada & Europe extensively. The new album covers the whole spectrum of guitar rippin’ blues-rock and psychedelic super jams. “Fender Bender” has been receiving rave reviews from fans & press from all over the world.
In 2009, the band introduced new drummer Murad Gundaz. Murad is accomplished in blues, rock, funk, latin and adds a big groove to the band. He is a veteran of Ontario music scene and also holds down the drum duties for 3 time Grammy winner Walter Ostenak.
The line up of Springer, Kapelle and Gunduz continues to rock the world in 2010.
TONY SPRINGER
Wild T is originally from Tunapuna, Trinidad. He has been playing guitar for many years and has always been involved with calypso, reggae and funk bands. Though one may find similarities in his playing with Jimi Hendrix, actually it was Wild T first exposure to STEVE HOWE & YES that got him interested in Rock music.
After moving to Toronto, Canada, Tony quickly gained a reputation on the local club circuit for his intense guitar playing. Since then he has toured and recorded with ROUGH TRADE, CAROL POPE, and DAVID BOWIE, and has recorded 5 albums with his own group WILD T & THE SPIRIT.
With Bowie he appeared on the “Tonight Show”, Arsenio Hall Show” & “Late Night with David Letterman”.
With WILD T & THE SPIRIT he has toured in Canada and the United States with BON JOVI & DEEP PURPLE.
In 1999 he was asked to portray Jimi Hendrix in movie “Daydream Believer” because of his resemblance & showmanship.
>Tony uses Fender Guitars, Fender Amplification and endorses Dean Markley Strings & MI Audio Pedals.
GUENTHER KAPELLE
Guenther is originally from Kelowna, BC Canada and began playing the bass guitar in high school bands. After many years of performing regionally with rock & blues bands, Guenther attended Musicians Institute of Technology in Hollywood, California where he graduated with honors.
He is a veteren of the Los Angeles & Toronto music scenes and has recorded & toured throughout Canada, the United States & Europe with such acts as RITUAL PISTON, THE BLAZERS, JIMMY O & CODE BLUE and Vancouver blues guitarist JASON BUIE. He has also recorded 2 albums with WILD T & THE SPIRIT.
Guenther uses Peavey & Warwick Basses, SWR & Peavey Amplification and endorses Dean Markley Strings.
MURAD GUNDUZ
Murad is from Niagara Falls, ON Canada. For the Past 25 years Murad has honed his drumming skills by covering a variety of musical genres such as Rock, Blues, R&B, Latin and Brazilian music.
Some highlights of his career include recording & touring with PSALM DRUMMER, STANG and blues man SHAKIN’ SMITH in Canada, the United States & Europe.
When not performing with WILD T & THE SPIRIT, Murad also drums with 3 time Grammy winner Walter Ostanek.
Murad uses Yamaha Drums and Sabian Cymbals.
WILD T & THE SPIRIT have performed at these festivals since 2002:
MUSIC FESTIVALS:
BARRIE JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL - BARRIE, ONT CANADA 2002-2009
WOODSTOCK EN BAUCE MUSIC FESTIVAL - ST. EPHREM, QC CANADA 2002
HARRIS PARK MUSIC FESTIVAL - LONDON, ONT CANADA 2003
TYYKI BLUES FESTIVAL - FORSSA, FINLAND 2003
FESTIVAL BY THE SEA - SAINT JOHN, NB CANADA 2003
THE ORILLA BLUES FESTIVAL - ORILLA, ONT CANADA 2004
BLOORCOURT VILLAGE HERITAGE FESTIVAL - TORONTO, ONT CANADA 2004
WINDSOR INTERNATIONAL BLUES FESTIVAL - WINDSOR, ONT CANADA 2004
HARELBEKE ROCK & BLUES FESTIVAL - HARELBEKE, BELGIUM 2004
MANITOBA SUMMERFEST - GRAND BEACH, MAN CANADA 2004 -2005
ROTHER BLUES FESTIVAL - ROTH GERMANY 2005-2006
PEP 66 MUSIC FESTIVAL - PEPINSTER, BELGIUM 2005
OSHAWA JAZZ & BLUES FESTIVAL - OSHAWA, ONT CANADA 2005
1ST ANNUAL GUITAR FESTIVAL - BASEL, SWITZERLAND 2005
MUSIC IN THE PARK FESTIVAL - KAMLOOPS, BC CANADA 2006
NAKUSP MUSIC FESTIVAL - NAKUSP, BC CANADA 2006
BLUES ON THE FARM FESTIVAL - CHICHISTER, ENGLAND 2007
ROTARY CLUB MARKHAM RIBFEST - MARKHAM, ON CANADA 2007
CANAL BANKS BLUES FESTIVAL - THOROLD, ON CANADA 2007
THE CANADIAN GUITAR FESTIVAL - KINGSTON, ON CANADA 2007
THE MT. TREMBLAY FESTIVAL - MT. TREMBLAY, QC CANADA 2007
BEACH BLUES FESTIVAL - WINNIPEG BEACH, MB CANADA 2007
THE WINE FESTIVAL - ST. CATHERINES, ON CANADA 2007
CANAL BANKS BLUES FESTIVAL - THOROLD, ON CANADA 2007
MAXIMUM BLUES FESTIVAL - ST. OMER, QC CANADA 2008
BELL BORDER JAM FESTIVAL - S.S. MARIE, ON CANADA 2008
SUDBURY SUMMERFEST - SUDBURY, ON CANADA 2008
KAMMGARN BLUESFESTIVAL - KAISERSLAUTERN, GERMAY 2008
HONKY TONK FESTIVAL - ST. GALLEN, SWITZERLAND 2009
SCHANKE WHITE NIGHTS FESTIVAL - HALTERN, GERMANY 2009
ROCK IN FIELDS FESTIVAL - MINNEDOSA, MB CANADA 2009
FRINGE FESTIVAL - SASKATOON, SK CANADA 2009
WOODSTOCK REUNION FESTIVAL - TORONTO, ON CANADA 2009
EVENTS:
THE ASSOCIATED ARTIST OF BUTLER COUNTY - BUTLER, PA USA 2005
THE OTTAWA RIVER BLUES CRUISE - GATINEUA, QC CANADA 2005
THE BROTHERHOOD ALL BIKE RODEO - ONOWAY, AB CANADA 2005
SALMON ARM SUMMERSTOMP - SALMON ARM, BC 2006
THE BLUES CRUZ - KELOWNA, BC CANADA 2006
THE 24 HR SPIN-A-THON, THE HERSHEY CENTRE - MISSISSAUGA, ONT CANADA 2004 - 2005
THE TORONTO MOLSON GRAND PRIX -TORONTO, ONT CANADA 2007
THE BLUES EXPLOSION TOUR - MARITIME, CANADA 2007
THE Q 107 MID SUMMER BASH - TORONTO, ON CANADA 2008
THE Q 107 JINGLE BALLS PARTY - TORONTO, ON CANADA 2008
