Information/Write-up
Demetrius “Demo” Cates was born on November 13, 1948, in Detroit, Michigan, where his musical journey began in a household filled with rhythm and soul. Encouraged by his mother, who gave him his first saxophone at the age of ten, Demo immersed himself in the sounds of jazz legends like Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, and Eddie Harris. By his mid-teens, he had already formed his first group, Demetrius and the Gladiators, and was performing throughout the Detroit area. At just sixteen, he co-founded The Fabulous Counts with Mose Davis, Leroy Emmanuel, and Andrew Gibson—a group that would become one of Detroit’s most dynamic funk and soul ensembles of the late 1960s. Their blistering instrumentals and tight grooves were showcased on the 1969 LP Jan Jan and its follow-up What’s Up Front That Counts (1971), both of which have since become cult classics and frequently sampled by hip-hop producers for their raw, rhythmic power.
The Fabulous Counts toured extensively through the U.S. and Canada, playing on a circuit that included New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Montreal, and Toronto. It was in Toronto, while recording part of What’s Up Front That Counts, that Demo found a city whose energy and diversity mirrored his own musical ambitions. Drawn to its growing jazz and reggae scenes, he chose to settle there permanently. Toronto in the 1970s was a haven for creative experimentation, and Demo quickly became part of its heartbeat, performing in clubs, collaborating with artists like Wayne St. John and jazz guitarist Lenny Breau, and establishing himself as a versatile session player.
By the early 1980s, Demo Cates had emerged as a powerful solo artist, releasing a steady stream of albums that reflected his expansive musical vision. Over an eleven-year period, he recorded fourteen LPs for labels such as Scorpio, Abraham, Imperial, and S.I.G.H.T., blending elements of jazz, soul, reggae, and funk into a style uniquely his own. His 1981 debut Memories of Moments was a turning point—a lush, confident record that captured his smooth vocals and fluid saxophone tone, both rooted in his Detroit jazz upbringing yet coloured by Toronto’s cosmopolitan influence. As Norman (Otis) Richmond wrote in the album’s liner notes, Demo envisioned Toronto as “a musical capital of the North,” where Black, Caribbean, and Canadian influences could fuse into something entirely new.
Demo’s artistry carried him to the forefront of Canadian soul music. He was twice nominated for the Juno Award for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year—first in 1985 for Memories of Moments and again in 1989 for Secret Love—marking him as one of the few Black artists in Canada at the time to receive such national recognition. His songs were warm, romantic, and effortlessly sophisticated, and his live performances were known for their charisma and emotional connection. But beyond his own catalog, Demo was also a pioneer in Canadian hip hop: in 1981 he collaborated with Bobby Boyer and Jay W. McGee on Rap the Night Away, recognized as the first full-length hip-hop album ever recorded in Canada. This groundbreaking project positioned him at the crossroads of two musical revolutions—jazz and soul on one side, and the emerging rap movement on the other.
Though best known as a saxophonist and singer, Demo Cates also found success as an actor, appearing in numerous television series and films. His screen credits include Forever Knight, Goosebumps, The Jane Show, Blues Brothers 2000, and A Raisin in the Sun, where his natural presence translated seamlessly from stage to screen. Whether performing on camera or on stage, he brought the same calm confidence and soulfulness that defined his music.
Through it all, Demo’s sound has remained timeless—an elegant synthesis of his Detroit roots and his Toronto reinvention. He carried the spirit of Motown and the jazz tradition north of the border, shaping Canada’s R&B landscape while building bridges between genres and cultures. His music, rich with melody and message, continues to resonate with listeners who value authenticity and soul. From the Motor City to the Great White North, Demo Cates forged a legacy of innovation, perseverance, and artistic generosity—an enduring reminder that great music knows no borders.
-Robert Williston
Demo Cates: alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute, piano, vocals
Bobby Boyer: vocals
Fred Boyer: vocals
Kung Foo: vocals
Butch Flint: bass guitar, lead guitar
Danny Columby: bass guitar
David Moyles: bass guitar, lead guitar
Earl Leader: drums
Gary Steed: drums
Jeff Simmons: drums
Ron: drums
Calvin Suro: keyboards
Kingsley Ettienne: keyboards, synthesizer
Leroy Emmanuel: lead guitar
Dave McMarrow: synthesizer
Produced by Demo Cates and G. Lewis
Arranged by Demo Cates
Mixed by Calvin Suro and David Moyles
Recorded by Calvin Suro and David Moyles at Sound Kitchen and Kensington Sound, Toronto, Ontario
Distributed by: D.K. Productions Inc., 1553 Eglinton Ave. West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6E 2G9
Phone: (416) 789-5722
Telex: 06-218382
Special thanks to the engineers and musicians at Sound Kitchen Studio: Calvin Suro, David Moyles, and Mr. Hugh
Liner notes:
Canada has not been kind to creative artists in general and Black artists in particular. Consider the fact that Rick James, Claudja Barry, Eric Mercury and Gino Vannelli all had to leave before the international spotlight shone on them.
Demo Cates’ first solo album Memories of Moments should reverse this situation. If Memories and Moments fails to be nominated for a Juno Award (Canada’s Grammys), something is terribly wrong with the music industry in this country.
The obvious question is: who is Demo Cates and what’s so special about his album Memories and Moments?
Demo wears many hats as a producer, arranger, songwriter, musician and vocalist. He hails from Detroit, a city that he credits for giving him his awareness of a wide spectrum of music. Today he resides in Toronto.
His roots are based in jazz, which can be traced to when his mother gave him a saxophone at age 10. He grew up listening to Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, Joe Henderson and Eddie Harris. He plays alto, tenor and soprano saxophones and has recently picked up the flute.
Demo was an intricate part of The Counts, local legends in Detroit for 12 years, and he credits them with drawing him close to gospel and rhythm ’n’ blues. But he’s quick to point out, he drew them into jazz: “It was a good marriage,” says Demo.
As a vocalist, Demo’s style can simply be called “smooth.” His vocal influences include Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway and Lou Rawls.
Demo’s talents have been recognized by some of the giants of black music. In 1974 he was offered a job with Miles Davis. He received a call from his friend Michael Henderson, who was playing bass with Davis at the time. Henderson said: “Ya man, Miles heard you on tape and he wants you to come to go to Brazil with us.”
Demo declined because he was going through some changes in his life and didn’t want to deal with the touring end of the business and wasn’t sure if he wanted to continue in music period. Lucky for lovers of good music he didn’t drop out of the business.
Memories and Moments is a potpourri of sophisticated cuts, Latin, jazz fusion and easy listening. It showcases Demo’s versatility as a vocalist, musician, songwriter, arranger and producer.
Demo is in the vanguard of helping to shape the sound of Toronto. Memories and Moments brings together people from different cultural backgrounds.
Says Demo, “I feel that Toronto can develop into quite a musical capital of the North. All the elements are here for a fusion of the best of Caribbean and black music and Canadian music — both Black and white. I want a sound coming out of Toronto that is a fusion type of sound unique to us.”
Demo wants his music to reach every corner of the planet. “So I write and arrange my music so it will have an international appeal. Because I’ve Latin, it will have a Latin feel to it. It will have some reggae in it. And of course it’s going to have some jazz, because that’s where I’m from,” says Demo.
May I recommend Memories and Moments for your personal play list. Put it on your turntable, kick back with your favorite woman or man and a glass of wine and mellow on out.
-Norman (Otis) Richmond (liner notes)
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