COUGAR Chick Tribute Band is a high energy show band that pays tribute to four decades of the world’s best female singers.  COUGAR features three seasoned and exceptional female vocalists, backed by a hot 4-piece band, to produce a high-energy entertainment experience.  With extraordinary vocals & choreography, several costume changes, and dramatic staging, COUGAR keeps audiences entertained and dancing all night with this unique tribute show!  We cover all the favourite female rock, R&B and pop greats, including Pat Benatar, Heart, Pink, Joan Jett, Katy Perry, Aretha Franklin, Alannah Myles and many more.

The red-hot COUGAR Bait Band made up of 4 accomplished Ottawa musicians: Jose Bergeron on Guitar, Brent Hultquist on Keyboards, Dave Fraser on Bass, and Chris Houle on Drums rounds out the dynamic COUGAR sound.

Leslie Rohonczy

With over 25 years of professional experience in a wide range of musical styles, Leslie Rohonczy is a powerful lead vocalist and dynamic performer. Leslie brings her powerful alto vocals to the stage with depth and range, and her performance goal is simple: to engage the audience, and tell a compelling story through song that makes a connection with each person.

As an active member of Ottawa's music scene for over 25 years, Leslie has played it all, from Rock, Swing, R&B, & Top 40 Pop, to Roots Rock, Power Blues and Jazz Standards. It was with popular 80s band "8 To The Bar!" that she first performed with Joanne McCann, and then again with the hot R&B and top-40s band "Girls Like Us". Leslie pursued the Blues and R&B with several Ottawa bands over the years, and currently performs with popular Ottawa blues band "The RUNES", and roots rock band "Moondogs". Leslie has twelve years of Royal Conservatory training in piano and music theory, has played the baritone saxophone and flute, is a performance & vocal coach, songwriter, professional voice-over artist and studio vocalist, and a founding member of the COUGAR Band.

Jo McCann

Jo is a dynamic and entertaining performer known for her wit and warmth. She infuses each song with her own style, while staying true to the music, and her vast experience and vocal versatility encompass genres such as country, Disco, Blues, R&B, Swing, Classic Rock and Pop.

Jo has been performing since the tender age of eight. Singing alongside her 15 siblings and her parents as a member of the musical McCann Family, Jo comes by music honestly. Early in her career, she left for Toronto to perform with numerous cover & show bands until returning to her roots. Jo was a founding member of successful Ottawa show bands "8 to the Bar" & "Girls Like Us", and also enjoyed stints singing background vocals for local talents such as Lou Nelson & Lori Shetler. She currently also performs with Disco Inferno as one of three lead singers.

As the COUGAR choreographer, Jo is responsible for the dramatic staging and transitions. As a performer, she lends her vocal and comic abilities to the band.

Ornella Kennedy

Ornella is a soulful and powerful singer with a broad vocal range which lends itself to many musical styles. With 30 years of performance experience with several bands in the Ottawa area, her distinctive voice and versatility captures the essence of a song like no other. Ornella has performed in a wide range of venues, from Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill to corporate events, telethons, and clubs.

She is also a sought after studio vocalist, and has performed with various artists, including Stevens and Kennedy, Energy, The Cadillacs, Fizz, and is currently also performing with Carey Blackwell, an upcoming country/rock artist. Ornella's influences include Patti Labelle, Chaka Khan, and Annie Lennox to name a few.

Cougar Bait Band

Jose Bergeron - Lead Guitar

Jose Bergeron studied classical music at the University of Ottawa and has been playing with numerous bands from hard rock to jazz including "Spyral Jones", "Caught in the Act" & "Fuzz. He has toured France with "Urban Act" and has produced an album called "The Clever Use of Shadow".

He has also lent his guitar wizardry to several compact discs throughout the world including all of "DAK's" albums, and "Nadia and Michel April" just to name a few. Jose is also a wanted man in the studio with a resume including work for television and Ondes Spirale & Michel Demers. His ability is as impressive when interpreting Van Halen or Joe Satriani, and we can witness Jose mimicking that ever-so-distinctive 70's sound for Disco Inferno with whom he has been playing for over 8 years.

Brent Hultquist - Keyboards/Saxophone

Brent Hultquist brings his amazing keyboard and sax talents to the Cougar Band. University trained in jazz saxophone and classical piano, Brent has been involved in the music scene since 1982, in a wide variety of roles, from promotional musician for Labatts, to a member of a Pink Floyd cover band. Currently performing with Cougarrrrr, Brent also performs locally with Disco Inferno. His versatility and superb musicianship has been shaped by several musical highlights, including backing up Moe Kauffman at the NAC, and opening for Tragically Hip on New Years Eve. Hobbies include underwater photography and karate.

David Fraser - Bass Guitar

I first got interested in rock and roll after seeing the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964, at the tender age of 8. Started playing in garage bands in my early teens, andbegan playing bar gigs at the age of 17, (with fake I.D.), with my first band Russett, with Donny Bregg (Cooper Brothers Band). Other bands included Wedge1975-1978, Mainstream with Louise Reny and Leslie Howe (One to One) 1978-1980 (1979 ShareChez finalists), Gleneagle 1980-1983 (Top 20 single "Don't Fool Yourself" 1982), Lexy Jones with Bob Littlemore 1985-1995 (1989 ShareChez finalists). I am currently playing with all original band BlueZinc and Chick Rock band Cougar! My musical influences range from Paul McCartney to Tim Bogert to Chris Squire. I use Gallien-Krueger amps, and Fender, Cort and Samick Basses.

Chris Houle - Drums

Drummer Chris Houle comes from a long line of musical talents. Exposed to music at a very young age as a McCann offspring, it was only natural when Chris started playing drums at the age of 9. He joined the the stage/big  band in his first year of high school and has never looked back. Chris has performed with many local bands over the years, including Ragged Faith, The Burn, Bad Influence, Blues Chronicle, Private Stock, and Blue Groove.  Currently Chris performs with the Jenn Morin Band, Disco Inferno, and Cougar.

During this time, Chris has also had the opportunity to play on numerous demo and original studio tracks, and his work has been captured on several sessions. Chris also occasionally sits in on drums and lends vocals with local favorites Chris McCann and Straight Goods, Staggering Punters, and Next in Line, enjoying the opportunity to play many diverse styles of music. Among his musical influences, Chris counts multiple decades of talent, ranging from the 1940's swing and big band sounds, to today's power pop and modern rock, blues, classic rock, pop, and yes, even disco! Chris's exceptional meter and hunger for all things new and challenging keeps the band fresh, and brings energy to live performances.