In Memory of Mike "The Cleaner" Mazzulla.
If you worked at 299 Queen Street West in Toronto, your life was more enriched if you got to know Mike Mazzulla. He was a cleaner there for a very long time, and the unofficial mascot of the whole building. First put on air in station I.Ds by my friends Gord McWatters and Scott Greig, Mike ended up being used by many producers, including myself; whenever a good laugh was needed, or to keep the station "honest" . Mike had a crazy natural comic timing that couldn't be coached out of anyone else. It was just the way he was when you turned on the camera.
A very sweet man with a kind heart. He will be missed by a lot of people. I cut this piece when he passed, to help celebrate the great man that he was to so many of us.
In Memory of Mike "The Cleaner" Mazzulla
One of the great things about working at MuchMusicCitytv back in the day was the opportunity to work with some really fun and creative people. One of them was Denis McGrath. I had known about him from my days at Ryerson (now TMU), but it wasn't until he worked at MediaTelevision and I at MuchMusic, that we got a chance to have some fun. Denis went on to become a hugely successful screenwriter and film producer. He suddenly passed away in 2017 and we lost one of the biggest champions of Canadian television. But long ago…Before all that…He enjoyed doing stuff just for the fun of it and making people laugh.
As a composer I have always had a special interest and love for electronic music and in January 2023 I created the Toronto Electronic Open Mic (TEMOM). Inspired by the creator of the EMOM movement, Martin Christie of Manchester, England, TEMOM is a night for anyone and everyone to try their hand at electronic music; whether they're a seasoned musician or new to the electronic music scene, it provides people with the opportunity to perform live and have a little fun in a forgiving environment. No matter the level of experience or type of electronic device - everyone is welcome; from iPhones and drum machines, to synths and modular, found sound, new gear, old gear and everything in between, it's a great way to experiment and be creative with fellow musicians and electronic music lovers alike.
The sense of community we've created really captures the spirit of the event.
Check it out: