Artist page

Demo Cates was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He began playing saxophone in his youth and joined the Detroit-area band "The Fabulous Counts" in 1968, which later became known as "The Counts." The band remained active for eight years until their breakup in 1976. During their time together, they performed regularly along the east coast, including cities like Detroit, New York, Boston, Washington, Philadelphia, Montreal, and Toronto. Due to the welcoming atmosphere and the burgeoning reggae scene in Toronto, Cates decided to make the city his home after the band recorded part of their 1971 album, "What's Up Front That Counts," there. He subsequently worked as a session musician for artists like Lenny Breau and Wayne St. John. In Canada, Cates was a prolific recording artist, releasing fourteen studio albums over an eleven-year span (1980-1991) for four reggae/soul/funk-oriented labels: Scorpip, Abraham, Imperial, and S.I.G.H.T. He was also a regular performer in Toronto jazz clubs. In 1981, he collaborated with Bobby Boyer and Jay W. McGee on "Rap the Night Away," recognized as the first known full-length Canadian hip hop album. Cates is a two-time Juno Award nominee for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year, receiving nominations in 1985 for "Memories of Moments" and in 1989 for "Secret Love." While primarily a

For any edit requests, please reach out to info@rovr.live