Kim Pitts has provided vocal talent for rock n' roll and swing bands in Virginia and Pennsylvania and has appeared onstage in a number of musical theatre and comedy productions. Kim is confident that audiences of EVERY age will love what the SwayKatz have to offer. Kim says to wear your dancin' shoes (or kick them off!) and hit the floor. The more you dance, the better the band plays!

John Allen holds down the lead tenor sax line for the Katz and picks up an occasional clarinet solo just to keep his chops in shape. John has shared his talent with several swing bands including the Ken Epperly Orchestra, the Nobleman Dance Band, the Stardusters and Northwest Jazz.

Justin Berkley keeps the alto section swinging. This VA Tech Grad and avid (is there any other kind?) Hokie fan studied his craft under the David Jacobsen & Chip McNeil while in the 'burg, as well as with Marty Nau & Eric Friedrich at VCU. In addition to his interests in music and automobiles, Justin holds an orange belt in Jiu Jitsu. Catch up with Justin at the Sax on the Web online forum.

Consider Tammy Pentecost your "friend in low places" as she holds down the baritone sax line for the Katz. While the bari sax is her Katz specialty, Tammy spreads her talent between the sax, trumpet, melophone, and bass and contrabass clarinets. Tammy plays with the Winds of the Blue Ridge and the Bedford Community Orchestra enjoying the performance of all types of music to keep her sanity.

If you want to win a bet, challenge somebody to not smile, when they hear this guy play! Calvin's style is a sort of boots Randolph meets John Coltrane. Adding his natural talent for improvisation, Calvin can coax a wide range of emotions from some bits of metal and wood. He's known as "The Calvinator". We are grateful that Calvin finds time to lend his considerable talent to the "Katz" in addition to his solo sax act and work with several other area bands, including his own jazz combo, "Quintessence".

Jon Shannon brings 34 years of musical experience to our group. In addition to leading the Sway Katz trombone section is an aspiring arranger/composer. Jon has a reputation as a swinging trombonist but is also known for writing and teaching marching band drills. Leveraging his experience as a Drum Corps International Alumnus Jon has served as the drill designer for Lord Botetourt's Marching Cavaliers as well as other high schools from New York to Texas.

Coming back from a swing band hiatus through college, Paul Weinwurm brings up the rear on bass bone. An electrical engineering graduate of Virginia Tech, he received several awards throughout high school for his participation in stage band (including 2 outstanding soloist awards). He currently plays with the Roanoke Valley Community Band and the Stardusters.

Robbie Hunt has perfected the melodious sound of the trombone over 40 years of performing. The Gretna, VA native has scores of achievement, from playing lead 'bone at the University of Tennessee band camp and at Elon College to playing with such greats as bop trombonist Bill Waltrous, legendary jazz flutist Herbie Mann, and country music legend Ronnie Milsap. In addition to belonging to the SwayKatz family, Robbie shares his talents with the Franklin Brass and the Bedford Community Orchestra. In his spare time this Kat and his wife have raised their own "litter" of five and currently reside in Forest, VA.

Don Hershey comes to us via Cincinnatti and Charlotte, where he and his lovely wife of 30 years, Jean Marie, opened a 250-seat jazz club that featured many of the nation's best-known jazz artists. Nowadays, Don lends his musical talent to several groups. He plays trumpet and piano and is an accomplished arranger. His day gig utilizes a bachelors degree in engineering and an MBA in manufacturing operations.

Ben Masters enjoys playing both trumpet and string bass. He has been playing trumpet for 14 years in symphonic, marching, and jazz bands and a full orchestra. Ben has participated in the Virginia Regional Band program and currently performs on string bass with the Bedford Community Orchestra, Valley Chamber Orchestra, and the Lynchburg Symphony. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 2003 and currently resides in the Roanoke Valley.

_ Scott handles the creative and musical direction of the Sway Katz. Scott began playing trumpet professionally at age 15. His musical experience includes big band and small combo jazz, R&B, latin, theater, orchestral, contemporary, and studio recording. He lived in Dallas and New York before moving to his current home in Montvale, Virginia. In addition to playing, Scott is also a composer, teacher, improviser, and conductor, also serving as conductor and music director of the Bedford Community Orchestra in Bedford, Virginia.

Dick Kazee has been playing Trumpet since 1962. Originally from Logan, WV, Dick played Lead Trumpet with the WVU Jazz Band in the late 60's. In addition to the Sway Katz Dick Plays in the Old Pros Big Band, The Noblemen, The Blacksburg Community Band and the Street Players, a rock and roll group from Logan, WV. You may have also heard him  in the band for local productions of the musicals Fiddler on the Roof, Cabaret, Annie, South Pacific, The Wizard of Oz and The Music Man.

Billy "B.J." Purcell has been working as a professional musician since age 14 when he appeared with a popular local act, the Tide Family. At age 19, he became a staff musician for The Greenbrier Hotel and Resort in West Virginia, playing drums with the original Populaires. While there, he was exposed to the fine points of professional music, working with players including Kenny Martin, former singer for the Jimmy Dorsey and Guy Lombardo bands. Billy's 40 years of experience covers country, rock, swing, and jazz.

John Winnicki has been playing music since he was six years old, starting with piano and violin. As a teen, he added guitar, bass, cello, and vibes to his repertoire. After graduating college John spent 5 years travelling the world eventually landing as musical director for the Prague Jazz Orchestra, a post he held for 8 years receiving critical acclaim. Working as a chemical engineer in his spare time, John also currently plays with the Floyd-Montgomery Jazz Project, The Wildlife and The Jiving Five as well as vaious other small Jazz Combos.

Eric began performing professionally as a fiddle player at age 13. He took up cello in junior high and bass in college performing in many ensambles along the way. Some notable bands from the past include Cheaper Than Therapy, Eli Cook and Redhouse, Jacki B & the Backburners, South 29, The Tendencies, John Doe and the Nobodies, and Kevin Selfe and the Tornadoes. Recordings of Jacki B & the Backburners and the Tendencies have been heard as "Featured Artists" on Danish Radio's Blues Hour. In addition to his current "bassman" role with the Sway Katz Jazz Orchestra, Eric performs with Paddy Dougherty, the Sophistokatz, the Great River Jazztet, Jus'Tone and Musicianism. He is also a member of the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra, the Bedford Community Orchestra and serves as Principal Bassist for the Valley Chamber Orchestra, the Farmville Quintet and the Central Virginia Choral Society Orchestra. Where does he find the time?

A native of Parkersburg, WV, Tom began playing semi-professionally at age 16 within district local #259 of the AFM (located within the mid-Ohio valley). Having studied with GA Remonko at Ohio University as a high school student, Tom earned a BSEE from the University of Kentucky while attending UK under a percussion Band Grant-in-Aid. With a day gig as a field engineer with a local engineering automation systems house, Tom has played with a variety of rock, jazz, and church chamber music ensembles within in the Roanoke, VA area. Tom and his wife Robin reside in Roanoke and have four children.

Pat was one of the founding members of the Sway Katz occupying the second alto chair since the band's inception. In addition to her "saxxy" role in the Katz Alto section Pat has contributed her musical talent to numerous Roanoke area bands including the Stardusters, Roanoke Community Band, Northwest Jazz, Winds of Change and the Bedford Community Orchestra. While in Roanoke she served on the Sway Katz Supreme Council and on the board of Winds of Change. Pat left the band in 2010 for a job somewhere in the vast american west. Too far away to commute to rehearsals.

John Yates was the origonal bass player for the Sway Katz and logged 3+ years with the band including work on the Sway Katz eponymously titled first CD. You will see John lending his groove to any number of Roanoke area bands including Caravan.

Wade was the original Sway Katz "tickler of the ivories." You can still catch Wade playing around Roanoke with the Jiving Five, and his ever-struggling rock band Chedwig Hesko.

Before Bruce's 3 year tenure with the Sway Katz, Bruce was professional trombonist for 40 years. He has played Principal and Bass Trombone professionally in Symphony Orchestras, Jazz groups, touring companies, and recording sessions for more than 30 years. Bruce is president of Creative Teleproductions, Inc., producing local, national and international projects. Check out this multifaceted band member at his web site www.brauns.net. We still see Bruce at an occaisional rehearsal.

Before Rick's stint with the Katz, he had been playing trumpet for 35 years, participating in band programs from Gretna High School through the University of Tennessee. His trumpeting experience includes numerous solo performances, ensemble, symphonic band, theater, gospel, jazz, and big band. He was a member of The Franklin Brass, a classical brass sextet, where he teamed with fellow SwayKat Robbie Hunt. Rick currently performs with the Danville Symphony Orchestra and the Bedford Community Orchestra, where he also serves as Vice President.