Dr. Bird and Blue Beat

Based in Regina, SK, this performing and recording Rocksteady/Reggae/Ska band is relentless in providing soulful beats for your dancing feet. Originally formed in 2007, the seven talented members of Dr. Bird and Blue Beat offer a large show band sound, influenced by such greats as Bob Marley and the Wailers, Toots and Maytals, Gregory Isaacs, Sam Cooke and The Selector.

Notable performance credits include: the Caribbean Pavilion at Regina Mosaic Festival (2009, 2011), Canada Day Regina main stage (2011, 2013), CariSask Festival (2010, 2011) and Redbeard's tribute to Bob Marley (2010, 2011 and 2012), Cathedral Village Arts Festival (2012), opening for Byron Lee's Dragonaires (2012).

Dr. Bird features: Khanida Taylor (vocals); Tammy Sawer (vocals);  Lloyd Francis, lead guitar; Shane Kachur, rhythm guitar; Karl Valiaho, saxophone and percussion; Scot Beaumont, keyboards and saxophone; Martin Streete, drums; and Al Kosteniuk, bass and vocals.

Individual Biographies

Khanida - hails from a musical family, her dad being a "blues legend" regionally and nationally.  Her powerful and dynamic voice thrills our fans, and her knowledge of many musical genres and how to work with a band are first-rate.

Tammy - brings beautiful harmonies and vocal leads to our show, drawing on her musical education and stage experience to help wow the audience.

Lloyd - Heralding from Alpha Boys School Kingston Jamaica, Lloyd has spent decades honing his guitar skills, learning from some of the greats of Rock, Soul, Motown and Reggae. Lloyd is breaking into the live performance scene with Dr. Bird and the Blue Beat.

Scot - Originally from Regina, SK, Scot is passionate about 2-tone and reggae. He started his musical career as a founding member of SkaVenJah in 1992 and went on to numerous musical projects and performance and songwriting credits.

Martin  - Marty has been a member of Reginas local music scene for decades. Having extensive experience performing with Rock and Zydeco bands, Marty is excited to now be playing Rocksteady/Reggae, the music of his Jamaican heritage.

Al - Born in Saskatchewan, Al cut his musical chops on Rush and Led Zeppelin as a teen in Regina. Al's love of Reggae harkens back to 1990, when he formed a Reggae band in Toronto, ON.  He now focusses on Reggae.

Shane- Originally from Winnipeg, MB, Shane was part of the local punk scene during its golden age in the 80s and has been inspired by the original Rocksteady sound for decades. He played and recorded with numerous bands, including Black Velvet and the Blue Beat, Winnipeg's premiere Ska band in the early 90s. 

Karl- From Saskatchewan, Karl completed a degree in music at McGill University. He returned to Regina where he has had experience playing many different styles of music, including Latin, Jazz, Surf rock, and Ska. He enjoys playing music with the great people in Dr. Bird.