Mark Hodgson
vocals, guitar

Mark's love of music prompted his early devotion to learning guitar and singing. His rhythm guitar and vocals have been heard throughout the Ottawa area for well over 20 years in various local bands. He has played many venues, including memorable school stage band concerts in Disney World and Sea World. Mark was even slated to be on the Phil Donahue Show after doing a concert for a New Jersey Rescue Squad, but time ran out and the band didn't play.

Mark has enjoyed every step of the pathway to Take Five which was formed out of a duet called The Two Yudes (comprised of Mark and Dave Wentzell). Two more additions, and one name change later, Take Five was officially born.

Mark's musical influences include: Eric Clapton, Blue Rodeo and The Tragically Hip, to name a few. Mark is a superb vocalist and witty frontman; always bringing smiles to the faces in the crowd.

Bill Brookes
vocals, lead guitar

Born in Ottawa, Bill started playing acoustic guitar at age 17, and soon after, bought the neighbours old electric and began driving the neighbourhood crazy. People blocks away would call him up because they knew he was home. Having never taken music or guitar lessons, he "pretty much sucked" (his words!) for the first few years of playing, but after moving out to British Columbia in his 20s, found a band that toured heavily on the west coast and ran a local jam out of Whistler.

He has since been in various bands including Take Five which he joined in 2003. His early musical influences were classic rock guitar heros such as Hendrix, Jimmy Paige, and Eddie, to name just a few. And this early influence shows in Bill's exceptional lead guitar work. He can play any lead he comes across just like the real thing. We often find the audience with wide eyes and open jaws during many of his amazing solos.

Glen Scammell
bass, vocals

Music and Art started early in Glen’s life. Glen remembers strumming an old guitar with 2 strings on it when he was 12 or so, and that was what got him into music. He took up the trumpet and played in the school bands, and was trained in theory and took private lessons. Later in High School he bought his first bass (for $50 at Wiener’s Pawn Shop).

His first band was Sterling, and it included his brother on drums. He finally bought the Rickenbacker bass he always wanted after working all summer and saving his money. He jammed and played with lots of people over the next few years, and bought and sold a lot of equipment. He also started recording jams and performances. His Boom Box had a decent condenser mic in it! And cassettes were cheap!

Since then, Glen has evolved as a musician in many ways; appreciating and playing all types of music. He plays rock, blues, folk and jazz, just to name a few.

Larry Cadman
drums, vocals

Larry’s parents bought him his first drum kit at the age of 4. Eleven years later, Larry’s parents rented a garage a mile from home, so he and his band mates could make music and be as loud as they wanted. His early music influences were April Wine, Rush, AC/DC and Supertramp to name a few.

After graduating high school, he left Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, joined the military and traveled the world. He continued with his passion of music, but it wasn’t until Larry and his family moved to Ottawa some 15 years later that he seriously invested his time in music.

Larry formed a new band White Water where he enjoyed 2 years of gigging at local pubs, charity events and private parties. This was short lived as Larry was transferred out of the country with the military. Larry spent three great years south of the border, kept up with his drums but also took an interest in guitar where today he enjoys sitting around a campfire, playing tunes, singing and partaking in a few cold ones. Upon his return to Ottawa in 2001, Larry became the drummer for “Sheffield Road” where he enjoyed playing for local charities and private parties. Sheffield Road went their separate ways in 2006 and Larry joined Take Five in October of that same year. Larry’s interest is in many music genres, enjoying pop/rock, alternative rock, Celtic, folk, blues, funk and country. A great addition to the Take Five team.

John Loubser
sound

As our sound and tech support guy, John brings us an edge that most local bands can ’t offer – professional sound. Although he’s had a “real” job and short hair for years, a good chunk of his misspent youth was dedicated to making LOUD sound wonderful.

 On the road, in concert, in studio, and in countless clubs, a small sample of his mixing credits includes Doug and The Slugs, The Lincolns, Junior Walker and the All Stars, Vendetta, The Powder Blues Band, and locally The Big Umbrella, The Bobby Lalonde Band, Altair, Gleneagle, Gnu, Exciter, and of course Take Five. He’s designed and built studios, concert and custom monitor systems, and is a guiding force in the evolution of the Take Five sound system. Oh, and he makes us sound great!