Tommy Ambrose

Tommy Ambrose, pop singer, composer (b at Toronto 19 Oct 1939). The creator of many of Canada's most successful advertising jingles - including those for Labatt's Blue, Smarties, Eggs get crackin', and Milk - Ambrose is also well known as a club performer and broadcaster. He began his career at age 6 with gospel-singing appearances at Toronto Youth for Christ rallies and on local radio. Primarily a singer of popular music since 1957, he has been host of several CBC TV series: While We're Young (1960-61), The Tommy Ambrose Show (1961-63) and the gospel music show Celebration (1975-76), which first appeared on CBC Radio (1971-74). He created the theme songs for Global TV, City TV and for the opening of the SkyDome. He established the downtown Toronto bar, Jingles, which from 1977 until 1989 occasionally presented jazz groups. Ambrose has made several records and had his first hit in 1959, "The Magic of You." His next hit was "One Summer Song" in 1974. He had begun working with jazz musicians and recorded two albums with Doug Riley (Dr. Music). Their recording, the album Tommy Ambrose at Last, received a Juno nomination in 1981 in the Best Jazz Album category.