Sway Katz

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.

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 and Bedford Community Orchestra. As one of the founding members of the Sway Katz Pat also serves as a co-manager. In her "spare" time, Pat works in the Financial Services Industry, specializing in Consumer Lending.

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.

If you want to win a bet, challenge somebody to not smile when they hear this guy play! Calvin Armentrout is the most recent addition to the Sway Katz "litter". 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. 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 the Caravan Band.

Bruce 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.

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.

Rick Daniel has 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.

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 from his seat in the trumpet section. Scott began playing trumpet professionally at age 15 and has played with various artists over the years. 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 an accomplished composer, arranger, improvisationist and conductor. In addition to sharing his phenomenal talents with the Sway Katz Scott serves as conductor and music director of the Bedford Community Orchestra in Bedford, Virginia.

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.

The grandson of Kentucky's own Jack "Dorsey" Whitehead, Wade Whitehead can't remember a time when he wasn't playing and performing music. Highlights include regular electric organ and piano gigs as a youngster, playing tuba in the Virginia All-State Band, jamming with the John S. Battle High School Golden Band of Sound, and touring with the Gentlemen of the College at William & Mary. Nowadays, he dedicates his musical energy to The SwayKatz, The Stardusters, The Jiving Five, The Blue Ridge Trombone Ensemble, and his ever-struggling rock band Chedwig Hesko.

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. Working as a chemical engineer in his spare time, John also currently plays with Sonic Safari (funk jazz), the Floyd-Montgomery Jazz Project, The Stardusters, The Jiving Five, the Sally Walker Jazz Ensemble, the Bill Nye Jazz Collective and the Blue Ridge Trombone Ensemble.

Life began for John Yates when his grandmother gave him a $17 Sears guitar. When the best high school band in town called for a bass player, he bought a bass and passed the audition. While hiking the Appalachian Trail in 1974, this New England native stopped in Roanoke and hasn't left since. A founding member of Wide Angle Vision Foundation, he is active in fundraising and awarding tuition aid to students attending a Bass/Nature camp near Nashville. Besides the SwayKatz, John can be found playing with a small pop music ensemble, two acoustic jazz trios, the Blue Ridge Trombone Ensemble, and a country band in which he plays guitar.