Los Variants

Los Variants is the brainchild of Vince Maccarone. Vince’s vision is based on celebrating diversity by bending some of the rules of staying in one genre. This 6-piece super band uses versatile musicians that deliver a spectacular performance and explore the connections between their collective musical and cultural backgrounds to create a seamless mosaic of international groove.

Los Variants’ core personnel is made up of some of Canada’s top musicians featuring vocal powerhouses Suba Sankaran and Dylan Bell (also on keys) Michael Occhipinti on guitars, Jonathan Amador on bass, Luisito Orbegoso on percussion and Vince Maccarone on drums and percussion. Tour guests may include: Luis Simao on accordion, Kevin Turcotte or Andrew McAnsh on trumpet, Fethi Nadjem on violin and Maryem Hassan Tollar on vocals.

The band takes the audience on a musical journey around the world highlighting the band members’ origins and cultures while maintaining a common thread in jazz and roots music. Flamenco, Middle Eastern groove, Caribbean rhythms are all found in a Los Variants performance.

The 2023 Touring Series will be a Global Musical Experience. Drawing from the release of the 1st Los Variants CD, – “jass/blues” and from the latest CD “O Passeio”. This CD features Afrofunk, reggae, jazz, blues and a raucous New Orleans jazz funk number.

Collectively the members of Vince Maccarone’s Los Variants have won and been nominated for many JUNOS, DORAs and other awards and will be bringing all of their rich musical history to Festivals in 2022.

Be prepared to move and groove at a Los Variants show!

Vince Maccarone

Vince Maccarone is an educator, sought-after performer, studio musician and producer with over 30 years of playing, teaching and writing experience. Originally from the mining town of Sudbury, Ontario, he has been based in Toronto, Ontario for the past 30 years.

His live performances display an unbreakable link between traditional music and cutting-edge contemporary. His Jazz, Reggae, Afro-Cuban and Brazilian influences blend into a unique “World Music” approach which he brings to his master classes and workshops. Vince’s drumming influences range from Manu Katche & Earl Palmer to Sly Dunbar, Tony Allen and Stewart Copeland.

Vince is a very versatile and adaptable musician, he has toured extensively in Canada and the United States and also in Australia, Europe and the Caribbean. Vince’s writing and drumming have been featured on films, commercials and television shows including: Two If By Sea with Sandra Bullock and Dennis Leary, The Decorating Challenge and commercials for Tim Horton’s and Coca Cola to name a few.

Some other artists Vince has worked with include: Colin Linden, Denny Doherty of The Mammas and Pappas, Deanna Bogart, Gregory Hines, Jim Belushi, Sugar Blue (harmonica player for Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, U2) and New Orleans great, Earl King (Come ON, Big Chief, Trick bag) who shared “this drummer is hot!” with the crowd all evening. He also has been with Paul Reddick and The Sidemen for the past 20 years. One career highlight was a 2 week tour out west backing blues legend Buddy Guy.

Vince has many studio recording credits for labels such as Dark Light Music, Northern Blues, Wonderlust Records and on Pour Soul Records.

Awards and Nominations

  • 2016 – Endorsee for Dream Cymbal Company

  • 2011 – Maple Blues Nomination “Drummer of the Year”

  • 2010 – Maple Blues Nomination “Drummer of the Year”

  • 2009 – Johnny Max Band – Kings of Beale Award, International Blues Competition Memphis, TN
  • 2003 – Maple Blues Nomination “Drummer of the Year”

  • 2002 – Paul Reddick and the Sidemen WC Handy Award Nomination “Best Debut” Memphis, TE

  • 2002 – JUNO Nomination “Best Blues Artist”

  • 1997 – Jazz Report Magazine’s – “Best  Live Band”
  • 1995 – JUNO Nomination “Best Blues/Gospel Artist”

  • Canadian Independent Music Awards Nomination “Blues Album of the Year”

  • Maple Blues Awards – (9) Nominations  3 awards won – Best Live Band, Best Recording, and Songwriting