Bio – Short (75 Words)

Yonge Guns is the premier a cappella quartet in Southern Ontario. Hailing from Toronto, these boys have been singing together since early days at Earl Haig Secondary School and have grown into an internationally recognized group. Having performed in Canada, USA, the UK, Germany, and Sweden, Yonge Guns is no stranger to the world stage. Chris, Greg, Jonah, and Reuven take the opportunity to perform wherever, whenever, and strive to share the joy of music.

 

Bio – Long (255 words)

Yonge Guns formed in August 2013 and began as a trio of high school friends. Greg Mallett (lead), Jonah Lazar (baritone), and Reuven Grajner (bass) came together to put up an attempt at the international collegiate barbershop competition. At the time, Chris Tanaka-Mann (tenor) was the Toronto Northern Lights’ newest baritone and was immediately asked to join the quartet…on tenor. Introductions were made, music was learned, and so started the journey.

The quartet has competed in Barbershop Harmony Society competitions consistently since their formation. As the 2015 Ontario District Champions, 2015 International 3rd Place Bronze Medallists in the collegiate category, and 2019 International 17th Place quartet in the open category, they are one of the most decorated Ontario quartets in recent memory. Yonge Guns proudly bears the honour of achieving the highest placement in competition for an Ontario quartet since 1985.

Outside of contest, Yonge Guns are veterans of the famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe, having put on a week long run in August 2018. This festival boasts 3500 shows and 2.5 million tickets sold each year, supposedly doubling the population of Edinburgh during August each year.

The quartet has performed at such distinguished venues as the MGM Grand Garden Arena, The Axis at Planet Hollywood, Salt Lake City Tabernacle, Meridian Arts Centre (formerly Toronto Centre for the Arts), Metropolitan United Church, and of course the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.

At everything from choral festivals, to school workshops, to performing for Toronto’s ever-growing a cappella community, they take the opportunity to perform wherever, whenever, and strive to share the joy of music.