• Submitted by: manso
• Travel and Tourism
• 03 / 18 / 2011

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Sometimes the people behind our huge Canadian travel industry are as fascinating as the destinations they take us to.

When Colin Hunter sings "Come Fly with Me," he means it. While you were boarding the plane, the chairman of the board of the Sunwing Travel Group was singing to you, and when the plane reaches altitude, tune in to channel 10 on your armrest and relax to his seductive, soothing, crooning voice.

Colin Hunter's journey into singing didn't happen overnight. His mother talked of him humming and swaying to music at two, and in his youth he sang in jazz clubs and had a half-hour show on All India Radio before immigrating to Britain, and then to Canada to use his commerce degree in the travel industry.

He sang for his friends and family while he worked his way to stardom in travel.

"For his 50th birthday we bought him a Karaoke machine," says his wife Joan.

"We had many Karaoke parties and that built his confidence again.

"We've been on 20 cruises with the Oceania Nautica, and early on I told the pianist in the piano bar, that my husband was a great singer.

Now the two are friends, and every night on our two week cruise, Colin performs in the piano bar."

He's now a living legend in the industry, and also in the last few years is becoming better and better known as a crooner-entertainer bringing 50s favourites to the forefront of old fans and new younger ones as well.

Inspired by Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Nat King Cole, Colin recorded a CD in 2005 when Sunwing Airlines was launched.

Of course, it was called "Come Fly with me."

Now the sixth and seventh are due for release.

This led to invites to jazz festivals, the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival in 2009 and in this past December the 26th Jazz Festival in Havana.

It seemed appropriate that the man who flies 350,000 Canadians yearly to holiday in Cuba should arrive with Joan on the inaugural flight from Montreal to Havana.

And even more appropriate that he stayed and rehearsed in the famous historic National Hotel. The National just celebrated its 80th birthday and what stories the walls could tell. This after all, was one of the hotels built by the mob.

It seems fitting that Colin rehearses in the Sala Tagansana, where back in 1958 Nat King Cole performed, and Frank Sinatra sang. The hotel was packed with international entertainers, and people simply wanting to listen and enjoy the music, and soak up the 50's atmosphere.

Watching the rehearsal was very special as the musicians pulled it all together. Colin was accompanied by legendary award winning Canadian pianist Joe Sealy and Cuban Jazz, a large group of talented musicians.

Orlando Sanchez was on saxophone, pianist Alexis Bosch, and Singer Danai Blanco in duets. They all spoke the language of music, and when words were needed, the efficient charming Miosotis Elliott pulled it all together.

"I know Come Fly with Me is your signature song," said Joe Sealy at one point. "But it isn't working at this venue."

It didn't appear on the programs.

Joan and Colin married 38 years ago have four children. They have a romance that sends sparks across a crowded room. When he rehearsed, the love songs were directed directly to Joan. She seemed so in tune with him that she knew exactly when to deliver a glass of water.

The saying goes, "Behind every successful man is a surprised wife."

Well Joan isn't surprised. "I'm his biggest promoter."

When does this busy executive get time to practice?"

He sings an hour each way as he commutes to Sunwing offices from home."

There were more than 20 different concerts during the three day festival, but many more jamming sessions here and there. Cuba has always been known for fabulous music, and this showcase of talent was out of this world.

The first concert was at the famous Havana jazz club La Zorray el Cuevo ( Fox and Raven). It was a scene right out of a 50s movie, and when we left at 3 a.m. the place was still packed.

The next night more than 200 Cubans and Canadians arrived at the Casa del la Cultura Plaza to listen under the stars.

Before Colin's performance I said stupidly, " I know you'll be great."

Joan said, "of course he will, he always is."

And he was.

Check out the National for the new plaque commemorating Colin Hunter when you visit Havana.

This Week travel columnist Sam Ion's column appears every Friday.

Source: www.mykawartha.com/opinion/columns/article/968242-