ANTHONY SZCZACHAR (Drummer, percussionist) Born and raised in the east end of Toronto by a Chilean mother and Polish father, Anthony’s parents exposed him to a broad range of music at an early age and encouraged him to try different musical instruments, settling on the drums at the age of thirteen.  While music was a fun hobby, he began to get serious about pursuing music as a career as a result of three opportunities in his final year of high school: studying drumset with Steve Mancuso at the Humber College Community School, taking theory lessons at the Royal Conservatory of Music, and performing as a member of the JAZZ.FM91 Youth Big Band.

Following lessons with renowned teacher Jim Blackley, Anthony completed his music degree at Humber College.  Focusing specifically on the traditions of jazz and Cuban music, he studied under the direction of Mark Kelso, Steve Mancuso, and the Cuban percussionists Chendy Leon Jr., and Jorge Luis Torres.

Since graduating, Anthony has been established himself on the Toronto music scene, performing with numerous artists including Chilean singer Jose Seves, folk singer Elizabeth Morris, Charango virtuoso Freddy Torrealba, Brazilian singer Chocolatte, Columbian singer/guitarist Diego Marulanda, and bassist Dave Young.

While his work as a sideman has taken him across Ontario and the United States, he has also stepped out as the leader of his own piano trio. The group released its debut EP, Stepping Stones, in August 2014 featuring pianist Brian Dickinson and bassist Julian Anderson-Bowes.