By Denise Bacon
Move over Jacksons and Osmonds, Port United Band is our very own family band in the Centennial community! PUB, as band members affectionately call themselves, is very much a family affair with three siblings, one cousin and one adopted family member. Each band member is part of music dynasties with music in their genes going back to parents and grandparents who played instruments, sang and composed.
The band will be the star attraction at CCRA’s spring dinner dance on April 7 at West Rouge Community Centre. The price is $55 per person and you can reserve your seats by emailing heatherlemieux@royallepage.ca
Band members Keith D’Souza (guitar and vocals), Maskie Fernandes (guitar and vocals), Nigel De Souza (bass and vocals), Quintin, AKA “Q”, De Souza (drums and vocals) and Leona De Souza (vocals) are a musical force that simply moves people with their music. Their love of music is contagious and space on dance floors fills up quickly as the first notes are struck!
Each of these musicians plays multiple instruments. They rehearse here in the Centennial community approximately once a week while managing full-time careers and family obligations. Leona is a full-time student pursuing her Masters degree at U of T.
PUB came together as a band by serendipity in 2013. Each was invited to a birthday party of a mutual friend and was asked to bring guitars for a jam session. Magic happened that night when they realized they sounded so good and it felt so good! Within two weeks of that night, the band, yet unnamed, played their first gig at 43 Division for a Toronto Police event. That year became the formation year for Port United Band as they played for the 100th anniversary of Miller Lash House, Thursday Pub Nights at Miller Lash and The Firkin on Yonge where they passed their big test by playing for a U of T Engineering fundraising event.
Later in later 2013, the band took on the name Port United Band, connecting with the Port Union community and a favourite football team.
Today, PUB has a loyal, growing fan base as the band is now familiar in Scarborough where they are a mainstay at Port Union Winterfest, the Waterfront Festival and the Summer Concert Series. Last summer, they played at The Kee to Bala, a summer concert tradition since 1942, where icons like Louis Armstrong and Burton Cummings have performed.
Locals can catch PUB at the Stone Cottage Inn every month and at other venues in and around the Greater Toronto region. They are also a favourite for private parties and weddings.
Playing at West Rouge Community Centre for the CCRA spring social on April 7 is especially sweet for Port United Band since this is where Nigel and his wife, Nadia, had their wedding reception three years ago. You can imagine how wonderful the music was!
Listen to PUB’s catchy original song “Run Boy Run” and read about the band at portunitedband.com.