ROTATIONAL MEMBERS
aYdEn Jacobs
GUITAR/VOCALS
A child prodigy, Ayden was selected by Kim Mitchell as the lead guitarist for 'The Kid Mitchell Band' in 2013, culminating in opening for Kim Mitchell in May 2014.
He has since started writing his own music and started 'The Ayden Jacobs Band'. In 2016 he was featured in the Discovery Winter 2016 podcast by Al Joynes as an up and coming young artist. One of his original songs 'Mood Swings' was featured on the show.
Ayden has also had the opportunity to fill in as guitarist for a few bands over the years (Jackson X, Marc Joseph Band). He has also worked with Dave Langguth (Nelly Furtado, Kim Mitchell) as well as Michale Vassos.
He released his first EP on August 1, 2016 with Andy Narsingh (Dave Barrett Trio) and Mike Thorne (SAGA).
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Currently, Ayden continues to hone his vocal & guitar chops with 'The Juggernaut Band' at 2 residencies in Toronto, Canada as one of the premier Jam Bands in the area.
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We welcome him into the 'Epic Journey' family as a rotational member.
KEvin 'Toad' SaulNiER
BASS/VOCALS
Hailing from Canada's East Coast & now based in Toronto Canada, Toad is a versatile multi-instrumentalist proficient at Keyboards, Guitar, Bass, Hand Percussion & Vocals. This vast skill set has kept him busy as an in-demand 'gun for hire' in the Canadian Music Industry for over two decades.
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A consummate pro, he brings with him a wealth of international touring experience as a performer, along with extensive knowledge of behind-the-scenes production, staging and sound reinforcement.
Toad has appeared in countless Radio/TV appearances & have performed on all of the major Late Night TV Shows such as Jay Leno & David Letterman, to Iconic Shows like Top of the Pops.
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He has also performed in some of the largest concert arenas, stages & music festivals around the world.
Highlights include recording and touring with the likes of Nelly Furtado, The All-American Rejects, Lawrence Gowan, Alan Frew, Small Town Pistols, Honeymoon Suite, David Archuleta, David Osmond, Holly Woods & Toronto, and Canada's 'Metal Queen', Lee Aaron.
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Completing a 6 month tenure with 'Absolute Journey Tribute' in 2017, Toad is now a rotational member with 'Epic Journey'.
TRisTaN avakian
GUITARS/VOCALS
After getting a first dose of his older sister’s record collection, Avakian picked up the guitar and has not put it down since. By the time he was 16, he was a fixture of the New York City club scene, playing stages like CBGB’s and Max’s Kansas City when he was still too young to be in the crowd. “I learned a lot about music,” says Avakian, “and a lot about life.”
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Lessons from the legendary Steve Vai and watching Steve Stevens ascend to fame in Billy Idol’s band influenced Avakian to follow the same path: “It wasn’t anything specific they showed me as much as seeing their work ethic... (that is) what shaped me as a player.”
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From there, he worked with a truly diverse batch of artists: the New York Dolls’ Syl Sylvain, punk poet Jim Carroll, pop diva Mariah Carey, hardcore icons Biohazard and hip hop star Lauryn Hill.
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In addition to appearing with 80s hitmakers Night Ranger and Christmas rock icons the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, he has worked as lead guitarist for many musicals, including 'We Will Rock You', 'Book of Mormon', 'The Bodyguard', 'Kinky Boots' and 'Rock of Ages'.
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He was selected by Roger Taylor of Queen to represent Brian May in the first North American tour of the official Queen tribute, 'Queen Extravaganza'.
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Tristan also completed a summer/fall tenure with 'Absolute Journey Tribute' in 2017, and will continue performing the music of Journey as a rotational member of 'Epic Journey'.
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Currently, he is the lead guitarist of the Meatloaf Musical 'Bat Out Of Hell', and is focusing on his artist career with his debut album of classic story-song, As Waters.