JOE BENDZA (drummer), now deceased, was a sought-after player by many leaders in Toronto throughout the late ‘70s and ‘80s, including celebrated guitarist Lorne Lofsky who featured Joe Bendza and bassist Kieran Overs on his debut album, It Could Happen to You (Pablo), produced by Oscar Peterson at his personal  invitation after he heard Lofsky at George’s Spaghetti House in Toronto.

Bendza played with the Lorne Lofsky Trio in two separate “Sound of Toronto Jazz” Concerts (January 28, 1980 and March 13, 1980), with the Peter Leitch Quartet on December 1, 1980, and with the Chris Chahley Nonet on January 9, 1984.