31 December 2005
Well, for a final update for 2005 I have decided to say thank you to everyone I had the pleasure of meeting and working with during the last twelve months.  It was a great year for me and I had a wonderful time traveling to some distant locations.  When I decided I wanted to be a musician, one of the major reasons was the ability to travel the world.  I have been to so many places over the years, but this year was most definitely the best thus far with two trips to Japan, two trips to New Orleans and two trips to New York City - among others!

What's up in 2006?
The first quarter of 2006 looks to be full of interesting projects already!  We started recording the new Fake Reality CD on December 19th and it is going very well.  Look for pictures in the coming weeks.  I will be in Montreal recording Derek Yaple-Schobert's first CD of classical piano works in late January as well as working on a new stage show and new songs for Latte's new EP.  Consequently, she recently surpassed 11,000 listens at myspace.com!!

May you have a wonderful New Year and may you all find happiness and prosperity in 2006!  Yours, Flavio

28 November 2005
The new TUIAS CD is finally completed!  Please click the CD cover at left to have a listen.  This disc was recorded in Toronto and Vancouver and features numerous talented musicians including Adam Popowitz from Pacifica, Devrim Eldelekli from Blue Venus, and members of I Furiosi.

In other news...
Pre-production for the new Fake Reality disc is coming to an end.  We will be in the studio starting on the 19th of December and continuing until the recording is completed with short breaks for Christmas and New Year.  We've worked up 11 songs and may record all of them.  The fan show is still in the works, but it should happen in the next few weeks.

I recently spent three days doing a promotional tour of Toronto radio and television stations with INXS.  Thank you to JD, Jon, Andrew, and Kirk for being great guys.  Jon - I think we need to get you a little more cowbell in your monitor!!  A huge thanks to their amazing crew. "13", "TM" and Doug - You guys are the best.  It's no wonder the bands you've worked with are as amazing as they are if they have you on side!  I hope to see you again soon.  Keep in touch!

Also, I met up with some old friends at a Loverboy benefit concert for Juvenile Diabetes.  Jerry Wong is playing in this amazing band called The Short Stories.  You should check them out!

And finally, thanks to Larry Davidson of D'Addario Canada and Ralph Angelilo of Muzik Etc. Magazine for the great weekend in Montreal at Drum Fest.  It's always a pleasure to attend this event as I get to see friends and watch some great drummers.  The highlights for me this year were catching up with Pat Stewart (Bryan Adams, The Odds, Matt Good), chatting with Ray Ayotte and Mark Miller from Taye Drums and watching John Blackwell (Prince) and Keith Carlock (Sting, Steely Dan) perform.  Looking forward to next year!  The photo at right is of me with John Blackwell and Pat Stewart and was taken by Ray Ayotte.

05 November 2005
Please visit Suzanne Brown's new web site.  I recently completed a total makeover of her site that now includes MP3s from all her CDs and a listing of up-coming dates.  If you are in the mood for some light Jazz or Blues, you should make a point of seeing one of her shows.

Pre-production for the new Fake Reality CD is moving along famously.  We are working on a number of songs that will be performed at a special concert for fans before we go into the studio next month.  This one promises to be a great show.

I recently opened an account on www.myspace.com.  It seems to be the place where all the cool kids hang out!  You can check out my page there at: http://www.myspace.com/flaviomonopoli

07 October 2005
I just completed the design of Mark Tabor's new website.  This site showcases his talent as a visual artist with an emphasis on his vast body of work.  Check it out and don't forget to sign his guest book!

As a result of the work on Mark's site, I am designing a new web identity for Suzanne Brown.  I am also hard at work in pre-production with Fake Reality for the recording of their next collection of songs.  The TUIAS CD is in the final stages of artwork design and should be out very shortly.  Stay tuned!!

21 September 2005
I recently spent three days in New York City at a call-back audition for the Blue Man Group.  I did not get chosen to begin training, but I had a great time in the Big Apple.  The audition process was a new experience for me and I learned tons about acting and stage performance.  Thank you to performer director Randall Jaynes for giving me the opportunity to attend the second phase of their casting process.  Thanks also to casting director Deborah Burton, her associate Karen Rockower, and performer directors Jeffrey Doornbos and Brian Scott for what will surely be remembered as the strangest three days I have ever spent in New York!  Congratulations to Kris, Scott, Nathan, and Brad.  They were selected to begin training.  All the best to you all!

I am currently in pre-production for the new Fake Reality CD and finishing up Mark Tabor's website.  The TUIAS CD is quickly approaching release.  Look for samples on here very soon.

16 August 2005
It's been a number of weeks of touring for me.  I went to Biloxi, Mississippi and Little Rock, Arkansas to do a Legends show for Coca-Cola at the beginning of August.  It was a good trip, though we missed our flight from Buffalo, and were delayed getting from Biloxi to Little Rock.  As a result, we did not get much sleep!  Upon my return, I drove to Sault Ste-Marie to do a concert with Sharia Twain and had the chance to catch up with my friends Shawn and Karen who live there.  It was very nice to see them and can't wait to see them again!

On the 9th I attended the Foreigner concert at Artpark in Lewiston and had the chance to meet Jason Bonham, son of late great John Bonham.  It was a very good show and they said there were about 22,000 people in the park to see the show.

The 12th saw a drive past Montreal to perform at a festival in St-Hyacinthe, Quebec.  It rained, but we were joined on stage by well known Quebec violinist Stephanie Labbe (with me in the picture).  She performed the entire set with us.  It was great to meet her and I hope to have the chance to work with her again!

Jungle has decided on a name for his project.  It will be called TUIAS (The Universe Is A Symphony).  Tuyas in Spanish also means "YOURS".  The mastering is completed and artwork and duplication is in the works.  Expect an early September release.

18 July 2005
WOW!  I have been busy since the last NEWS update!  I completed producing, recording and playing drums on tracks for the Wetspots' new Fringe show entitled "Sing Your Way To Better Sex".  It was given 4-stars here in Toronto and was named Top 10 best of the Fringe last week.  They will be heading to Winnipeg next, and then Vancouver.  You must check out the show - it's hilarious!  We recorded two songs for the show, including the finale.  You can listen to a sample here.

I spent the beginning of July back in Japan!  We went back to Sasebo and Atsugi and had an afternoon and evening in Tokyo.  From five days in Japan I went to Vancouver for five days of recording with Jungle and Panthea.  We have completed Jungle's CD and it should be released in about three weeks.  Check back then to hear the final mixes and see the artwork.  Her album concept is quite amazing!

And finally, I spent three days in New Brunswick.  The highlights were a gig at CFB Gagetown for about 2,000 people and a visit to the SABIAN factory in Meductic.  Robert Mason gave me the complete tour through the factory and explained the entire process.  Very interesting and educational!  Thanks to Peter Stairs, Terry Ryan, and Robert Mason for their hospitality.  BY THE WAY - Nobody should have the view they have out of their office windows.  It's a wonder they do any work!!

03 June 2005
I recently added the new "Chain Gang - Live at The Trane" CD to the audio section of the site.  The Chain Gang features Julian Fauth on Piano and Vocals, Wayne Charles on Harmonica and Vocals, Greg Cooper on Drums, and Ka-Cheung Liu on Bass.  Click the CD cover at left to go to the audio page.  Hope you enjoy!

In other news, Jungle Tshongo is making his way back to Toronto from Vancouver.  He will be in the studio at the end of June to finish the mix on her CD.  December 2005 will see the production of a new Fake Reality CD.  I am very much looking forward to working with them again!  I am also talking to Latte about producing a new EP for her.  Hood continues to get a tremendous response, both from this and Latte's site.  She will be applying for FACTOR money to do the next collection of songs.  I will be on the road on and off for the next number of weeks including a return visit to Japan for the 4th of July.  I'll keep you posted on how it all goes down.

09 May 2005
I spent all of last week on tour in Japan.  What an amazing place.  We played three concerts at different US Navy bases and met lots of interesting people.  Thank you to Jeff Thornton of Lone Wolf Entertainment for having us and for being such a great guide.  The experience would not have been so much fun without your knowledge and experience!  Thanks also to the MWR and more precisely, Paul in Atsugi and Yoshi and his team for the great sound and equipment.  Hope to see you all again when I return in July. At right is a photo of some new friends I met at US Navy Air Facility - Atsugi. (l to r: David and Isis Arenas, ME, Angie and Donald Quick)  I gave them the sticks I used during the show and in return Donald gave me an Association of Aviation Ordnancemen challenge coin with an inscription that reads: "Peace through power - We are the arms of the fleet".  VERY COOL!!

28 April 2005
Just returned from performing with Irish '60s Show Band leader Brendan O'Brien at a benefit concert for COPE at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.  The night was amazing and I played the same stage as the Rock N' Roll Hall Of Fame ceremonies.  I had the pleasure of meeting Irish Tenor Ronan Tynan and The Irish Sopranos (Diedre Masterson, ME and Wendy Dwyer at left).

Also, I recently signed on as an endorsee for Evans Drum Heads.  I am very honored to be a part of their roster and look forward to a long relationship with them.  Next week I will be in Japan!  I'll fill you in upon my return. FM

21 April 2005
Last night was the SABIAN Cymbal endorsee dinner.  It took place at The Marlowe Restaurant and Bar and brought together most of Toronto's best drummers who play SABIAN cymbals.  It was a great opportunity to see friends I never get to make music with because we all play drums!  At right is a photograph of me with friends Tyler Stewart from the Barenaked Ladies, and Peter Stairs and Terry Ryan from SABIAN.

The evening ended at the Orbit Room where Wilson Laurencin (not a SABIAN endorsee!!, but still smokin') was backing up James Bryon with J.K. on Bass and a woman named Alexandria on lead vocals.  Below is a picture of the people who made the trip two blocks from the restaurant to the bar!

Thank you SABIAN - especially Peter, Terry and Ann - for a great evening.  It was great to see everyone again!  FM

11 April 2005
I had the pleasure of attending a classical piano recital in Montreal by a high school friend named Derek Yaple-Schobert on the weekend.  The event took place in Redpath Hall at McGill University and featured Derek performing works by Grieg, Gade, Hartmann, and Haydn in honor of Hans Christian Andersen's Bicentennial Celebration.  It was amazing to see him play.  He is world class and if given the chance, you should check him out. Derek holds a doctorate of music in piano from the Universite de Montreal and was recently featured on Bravo Television's "The Classical Now".  Thank you to Mr. Tomas Bruun, Trade Commissioner for Denmark, for taking the photo at left.  We are presently scouting for a suitable location and piano to record a collection of his most popular works.  I very much look forward to working with Derek in the near future as it promises to be an enlightening project!  FM

08 April 2005
Time to launch a re-designed site!
Since getting home from the road, I've been hard at work finishing a number of projects, and starting new ones.  First, I completed a total overhaul of this site.  It is now much simpler and easier to navigate and has undergone a significant facelift.  I have also been in the studio completing Jungle's mixes and recording tracks for Meet My Band.  Look for songs to be posted on their site very soon.  There is also a comic book in the works, and something so huge I can't talk about it yet!  I'll keep you informed as things develop.
All the best,
Flavio

01 February 2005
Greetings from the road!  I am in Winnipeg, Manitoba today!
I am touring with a Dixie Chicks and a Shania Tribute until mid March.  Once that is done, I may hit the road for two weeks with my good buddy Pete Robertson.  I am very honored he asked me to play drums for him on his promotional tour.  I have posted the dates, but the entire tour is still in the prelim stages.

Before leaving, Jungle and I got a number of songs for his upcoming CD completed.  He will be in Vancouver recording an opera singer whose vocals will be inserted later.  Emerald Doyle and I have been hard at work preparing for her session in April.  It promises to be a very creative experience and I can't wait!

Meet My Band is kicking and has been in Muzik Etc. for its second time.  You can check it out at www.meetmyband.com

The best news of all....
Latte D. Kyd organized a fund raiser for the Toronto Rape Crisis Centre that took place on the 21st of February.  She raised over $900.00 for the centre.  WAY TO GO!!
More soon I'm sure!
Flavio