Bill Runge - Saxophone, Flute, Keyboards (1997, 1998, 2001, 2003)

Multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and performer Bill Runge first reached prominence in 1981 when he became a member of the Powder Blues Band as a saxophonist and arranger. Bill helped record the double platinum selling "Thirsty Ears" and has subsequently recorded on every Powder Blues album since. Also in 1981, Bill played saxophones and did arrangements on Jim Byrnes' first album "Burnin". It was the beginning of a working relationship that continues to this day including live performances and two more recordings, "I've Turned My Nights Into Days" and the 1996 Juno Award winning "That River" for which Bill wrote two tunes, played bass and saxophones and provided arrangements. In 1990 Bill's jazz quintet, the Creatures of Habit won the CBC/Alcan Jazz Competition at the Montreal Jazz Festival and recorded an album of his compositions on a CD entitled "Live in Montreal". Bill also leads an organ trio called B-3 whose CD is often featured on CBC Radio. Bill is a top session player who has played keyboards, bass, saxophones, flute, guitar, accordion and done arrangements on over thirty albums (including contributing sax and string arrangements to Shari Ulrich's new album "The View From Here") as well as countless TV themes, jingles, radio shows, CD -ROM's and movie soundtracks.

This year, Bill released another CD of his own compositions entitled "Acid Test," featuring a plethora of Vancouver's top musicians.