The
Steppes of Ukraine can easily be compared to the tranquil vastness
and beauty of the Canadian Prairies. The Sounds of the Steppes
is a group of musicians who originally started in 1995 as a trio accompanying
a Children's Ukrainian Choir and then later, an Adult Ukrainian Choir
in Dryden Ontario. The original group consisted of Allen Mazurski
on mandolin, Ken Denby on guitar, and Jeannette Denby on accordion.
Ken switched over to bass when Origene Legros and Tom Stratton both
joined the band on lead and rhythm guitar. Ed Wladyko rounded out
the group on drums until leaving because of employment reasons. Humberto
Pacheco then sat behind the drums. At 87 years of age, Origene left
the group and the band has been a 5-piece since 2000.
 The
Sounds of the Steppes have performed in various Ukrainian festivals
and celebrations such as the Dauphin
National Ukrainian Festival, the Dryden Ukrainian Festival and
'Cossack Days' in Thunder Bay. In addition to playing Ukrainian
Music, the band is quite versatile playing many other styles of
dance music. They have performed for numerous telethons and festivals
including the Ear Falls 'Trout Forest Music Festival' and the 'Norsemen
Festival' in Red Lake. They also perform at old time dances, weddings,
anniversaries, socials and coffee houses. The group is very proud
with their first recording "O' Ukraine" and they hope
you enjoy their second recording — "the Next Steppe".
The
Sounds of the Steppes have appeared on many venues including:
- Red
Lake Norsemen Festival
- Ear
Falls Trout Forest Festival
- Thunder
Bay Community Auditorium
- Dauphin
National Ukrainian Festival
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