Bobby Bruce's World Class Tribute to Neil Diamond
The Solitary Band
Left to Right: Marlow Holder, Kyle Radomsky, Jen Lewin, Bobby Bruce, Sandra Lee, Jeremy Scott
Bobby Bruce – Nearly Neil – Lead Vocals & Acoustic Guitar
A legend and pioneer in the Canadian tribute community, Bobby Bruce's Nearly Neil journey began in 1994. An actor and singer from Vancouver, Bruce was a new transplant into the Toronto entertainment scene when he was convinced by an Elvis impersonator to join a local multi-tribute show. Within a year Bruce was being scouted by Las Vegas' Legends in Concert. He joined them for a 10-month engagement in the US with appearances stretching from Nevada to Branson to Atlantic City.
International engagements came calling, Bruce's first national tour of Australia with another Legends-style show saw 60 shows in 10 weeks across the continent, earning him his moniker.
Headline: "NEARLY NEIL DIAMOND"
"Neil Diamond had better be wary he ever comes to town. Bobby Bruce is a hard act to follow. The Canadian impersonator not only mimics the great Neil Diamond to a tee but also implants some of his own pizzazz and style, a combination so clever and disarming that it brought the house down."
Samela Harris, Adelaide Advertiser, Australia 1996
Directly from Australia, the tour went on to Malaysia where Bruce had the honour of performing for the King and Queen. The Australasian connection continues today with dozens of tours visiting Borneo, Singapore as well as elite venues across Malaysia, national tours of New Zealand and annual Australian tours that have taken him to every state and territory.
Using his international touring as a launchpad, Bruce broke away from the "Legends" type shows and formed Nearly Neil and The Solitary Band in Vancouver in 1997 quickly becoming a staple in the Canadian market. The Solitary Band has embarked on national tours of the USA and Canada, repeat tours to the Cayman Islands, Holland and Belgium, performed at exclusive private events for a handful of people to outdoor public concerts to 20,000.
Over twenty-five years into his Nearly Neil journey, Bruce, now 52, lives with his wife, Leanne, off the coast of Vancouver, BC on Gambier Island in the Howe Sound. When European and Australian tours were suddenly out of the question in early 2020, they adapted to life off-the-road by starting a volunteer essential goods delivery service to ensure food security to their community during the lockdown. They were both awarded Gambier Island Citizen of the Year for their efforts. Most recently, they were recognized by the Provincial Government with the B.C. Medal of Outstanding Citizenship.
Bobby’s brand of honest audience connection paired with an authentic and skilled homage to some of the most enduring songs of the modern era continues to appeal to international and domestic audiences alike.
The Solitary Band
Kyle Radomsky –Drums
Born into a musical family, Kyle has been making music since the age of 5. Piano was 1st, though he always wanted to play the drums, always inspired by his older brother Kevin. After switching to drums at the age of 15, there's been no looking back. Thousands of shows, 15 countries and counting, Jazz to country to rock n' roll. Records, jingles, TV shows, if they need drums, he can do it! Highlights include touring Canada with Farmer's daughter at the ripe old age of 17, playing for the NATO troops on a Canadian forces tour of Bosnia with the Shagadelic Swingers, and most recently, playing all over the world with Bobby Bruce!
Sandra Lee - Backing Vocals
Sandra began performing with her Father’s band at 12; fronting her own band by 16. Fresh out of high school, Sandra toured Western Canada for three years – concluding in Vancouver, where she quickly became part of its dynamic music scene. Sandra’s musical journeys have taken her to Hong Kong, Mainland China, Thailand and Eastern Europe. Her first CD titled, “Here I Am” (2002) was distributed by EMI Poland. In 2003, Sandra joined up with world-renowned Bobby Bruce (Nearly Neil), performing for the peacekeepers in Bosnia and touring throughout New Zealand. Releasing her second CD in 2005, Sandra continues to write and perform her own music today.
Marlow Holder – Bass & Backing Vocals
Marlow is a homegrown Vancouverite who enjoys expressing his musicality through a variety of instruments. He was briefly signed to David Foster's recording label as a founding member of Mollies Revenge, and has shared the stage with a wide variety of artists, including Feist, Kinnie Starr, Dirty Radio, and Mike Reno of Loverboy. He continues to deepen his relationship to the rhythm of music, clarifying his role as a bass player, and redefining his outlook on life. Marlow feels he is part of a great family of musicians and that Neil Diamond's music has served as a cornerstone from which his life as an artist, husband, and friend has flourished.
Jeremy Scott – Lead Guitar & Backing Vocals
Jeremy is a loving husband and father of two amazing kids. He began his musical journey in high school, studying classical saxophone performance at university. After that, he took up the bass and began playing in local rock bands around Vancouver. Soon, he was a mainstay in the Vancouver rock scene, playing in numerous original and cover bands. He spent several years playing in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. He has toured North America with Nearly Neil and The Solitary Band, and Jet Black Stare, where he has shared the stage with notable rock acts Shinedown, Saliva, Red, Hawthorne Heights, and the Toadies, among others. He is very excited to once again join the Solitary Band.
Jen Lewin – Keyboards & Backing Vocals
Earning her spot in the Solitary Band's 2022 tour of Holland, Jen Lewin is a delight on-stage and off. Well-versed in a variety of musical styles, Jen Lewin is a Vancouver-based keyboard player and singer who began her professional career in 2001. Besides her solo/duo/trio work as a frontperson, you may have heard Jen playing keyboards with: Krystle Dos Santos in Hey Viola!, yacht rock project extraordinaire Aimée A-Yacht and the Smooth Sailors, crooner Tony Barton and his exciting stage shows “Blue Eyes Too” and “Jingle”, or with her 9-piece passion project Deep Cutzzz, among others.
