Founding member of the N-Zones and Sambatucada! believed that music was for everyone
Bruce McKenzie was born on October 16, 1952, in Burlington, Vt. He was the youngest of 11, born six months after the death of his father, Harold McKenzie. His mother, Lennie Perry McKenzie, raised him and his siblings on Isham Street in Burlington. His eldest siblings, Joe and Thelma, were his godparents. At an early age, Thelma arranged drum lessons for Bruce. He got to upgrade from his knife and fork tapped out on the dining room table to a trap kit in the attic. He spent many hours honing his skills for the bands he was yet to join. He was recruited to join his first band, the Heartbeats, when its existing members overheard him practicing up in the attic. Later, and most notoriously, Bruce formed the N-Zones with Zoot Wilson, Joe Moore, Ellen Powell, Gus Ziesing and, later, Jim McGinniss, Mark Ransom, Trey Keepin, Peter Riley and Don Sydney. The N-Zones were an institution. They thrilled audiences at countless venues with original blues rock and roll numbers, including “Boogie ‘Til Your Head Caves In,”“Killer Bee Bop” and many others, all driven by Bruce’s tenacious backbeat. In 1978, Bruce married another Burlington troubadour, singer-songwriter Mary McGinniss. They welcomed their sons into the world: Owen, in 1980, and Willy, in 1983. Bruce was an attentive and engaged father who delighted in his relationships with his boys. His marriage to Mary ended in 1993, but they have remained lifelong friends, parents and grandparents. In 1995, he was a founding member of Sambatucada!, an Afro-Brazilian samba street band. He served as its band leader and artistic director for many years, playing for every conceivable community event, from the Discover Jazz Festival to Mardi Gras to fundraisers for nonprofits serving the poor and disadvantaged. The group's membership was — and is — open to all. Every performance concluded with an invitation to join the band. Bruce believed that music was for everyone, including playing it. Over the years, he held percussion workshops in schools and for people with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges — anyone with a desire to pick up a drum and play. He would often talk about the "omnipotent groove" that resonates with everyone. Bruce remarked that his nearly 30 years with Sambatucada! was among the most fun and fulfilling experiences of his creative life. In his tenure, it is estimated that over 1,000 people have received…
Founding member of the N-Zones and Sambatucada! believed that music was for everyone
Bruce McKenzie was born on October 16, 1952, in Burlington, Vt. He was the youngest of 11, born six months after the death of his father, Harold McKenzie. His mother, Lennie Perry McKenzie, raised him and his siblings on Isham Street in Burlington. His eldest siblings, Joe and Thelma, were his godparents. At an early age, Thelma arranged drum lessons for Bruce. He got to upgrade from his knife and fork tapped out on the dining room table to a trap kit in the attic. He spent many hours honing his skills for the bands he was yet to join. He was recruited to join his first band, the Heartbeats, when its existing members overheard him practicing up in the attic. Later, and most notoriously, Bruce formed the N-Zones with Zoot Wilson, Joe Moore, Ellen Powell, Gus Ziesing and, later, Jim McGinniss, Mark Ransom, Trey Keepin, Peter Riley and Don Sydney. The N-Zones were an institution. They thrilled audiences at countless venues with original blues rock and roll numbers, including “Boogie ‘Til Your Head Caves In,”“Killer Bee Bop” and many others, all driven by Bruce’s tenacious backbeat. In 1978, Bruce married another Burlington troubadour, singer-songwriter Mary McGinniss. They welcomed their sons into the world: Owen, in 1980, and Willy, in 1983. Bruce was an attentive and engaged father who delighted in his relationships with his boys. His marriage to Mary ended in 1993, but they have remained lifelong friends, parents and grandparents. In 1995, he was a founding member of Sambatucada!, an Afro-Brazilian samba street band. He served as its band leader and artistic director for many years, playing for every conceivable community event, from the Discover Jazz Festival to Mardi Gras to fundraisers for nonprofits serving the poor and disadvantaged. The group's membership was — and is — open to all. Every performance concluded with an invitation to join the band. Bruce believed that music was for everyone, including playing it. Over the years, he held percussion workshops in schools and for people with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges — anyone with a desire to pick up a drum and play. He would often talk about the "omnipotent groove" that resonates with everyone. Bruce remarked that his nearly 30 years with Sambatucada! was among the most fun and fulfilling experiences of his creative life. In his tenure, it is estimated that over 1,000 people have received…
