Gamble, Loni

Websites:  https://www.lonigamjam.com/
Origin: Philadelphia, USA - Montréal, Québec, 🇨🇦
Biography:

Loni Gamble (1955–2024) was a Philadelphia-born singer, guitarist, and producer whose musical journey found one of its brightest chapters north of the border. Though firmly rooted in American soul and funk, Gamble made a lasting contribution to Canadian music with the release of his 1983 solo album Could It Be Love, recorded and produced in Montreal.

Having begun his career as a touring guitarist with Grammy-nominated R&B legends The Stylistics, Gamble eventually set out as a solo artist, bringing his silky vocals and songwriting skills to a wider audience. His path led him to Quebec, where he teamed up with producer Steven Tracey Eisenberg and a host of Canadian session musicians to create Could It Be Love. The album was released on the Canadian label Tracey Records and recorded at Montreal’s Studio Marko, with mastering handled by Disques SNB Ltée — two staples of the local recording scene.

Blending smooth soul, dancefloor grooves, and radio-friendly hooks, the album’s title track became an international underground hit, earning airplay across Europe and North America. In Canada, it struck a chord with club DJs and R&B audiences alike, helping Gamble earn two Canadian Dance Music Awards in 1984 — for Best Record and Top Male Vocalist.

Gamble’s work in Canada exemplifies the rich cross-border musical exchange that has long enriched the soul and funk traditions of both countries. His collaborations with Canadian musicians, engineers, and producers brought a distinct Montreal polish to his sound, while reinforcing the city's status as a creative hub in the 1980s dance and R&B scene.

Beyond his musical success, Gamble remained a dedicated community leader and educator. In later years, he founded the Community Alliance for Positive Progressive Action (CAPPA) and launched the Young Gentlemen (YG’s) Performing Arts and Life Skills Project — initiatives that used music to uplift and empower at-risk youth.

Loni Gamble passed away in 2024 at the age of 69. His Montreal-recorded Could It Be Love album stands as both a creative milestone and a powerful example of Canadian-American collaboration — a soulful testament to the multicultural heartbeat of Canadian music.
-Robert Williston