Band Member Profiles
Peter Riley
The quiet man, Peter bursts into to life the moment he hits the mike. Founder member of the band and only survivor from the original line-up, he plays his unique rhythm guitar in his own individual style, interwoven with a more traditional double bass, but is best remembered for his superb voice and magnetic stage presence. An aficionado of Western Swing, he has now emerged as one of the most charismatic front men on the Country, Swing and Jazz scenes and relished the chance to take the first ever British Western Swing band to the Legends of Western Swing Festival in Wichita Falls, Texas in 2008, which took the traditional Western Swing venues by storm and included the band's first appearance on US national television. Since then he has led the band on its regular sallies into mainland Europe.
Rosy Williams
New girl on the block, enhancing the glamorous image of the band, is another classically trained violinist from Manchester, Rosy Williams. Having trained as an actor-musician at Rose Bruford, she completed her training on violin at the Royal Northern College of Music. After three years of working with street children in Africa on music and drama projects, she has returned to the UK and has already been in great demand in the Arts world, having been a member of a variety of orchestras, sung regularly on BBC Radio 4 and toured in 15 countries. So you can savour her stunning vocals in not only the trio harmonies but also her solo renditions of some Forties classics with the occasional trumpet solos! Another multi-instrumentalist, not surprisingly, her violin solos aren't bad either!
Simon Brady
Former member of Country duo, 'Broadcaster' and in great demand as a session musician, top guitarist, 'Champion' Simon Brady is not only acknowledged as the best mandolin player on the British Country scene but is now attracting considerable attention on his unique, 10-string Williamson Hawaian steel, which he built himself - with the help of his father, naturally! Relishing the new opportunities to play in America and mainland Europe, in his role as vocalist and lead guitarist with the Swing Commanders he has proved that he has also few equals in Britain as a quadruple soloist in the wide range of musical genres that now forms the band's widely varied playlist. A superbly creative jazz musician, there are new surprises ahead as the band extends its repertoire.
Gaynor Sutcliffe
Still starring is the girl with the wild hair and Texas fiddle, former classical violin soloist, Gaynor Sutcliffe. Currently violinist in The Pennine Trio, founder of the Sutcliffe String Quartet, electric jazz duo, Sparx and the Forties harmony Laverne Sisters, she uses her wide musical experience and expertise to bring a unique slant to the band’s Latin, Swing and Country styles. When not leading the dancers on the floor, her powerful vocals, piano accordion solos, keyboard backings and double bass extravaganzas have added a dynamic impact to the band's live performances. Whilst her trombone makes the occasional appearance, really watch out for the Tap solo!
Dr Mark Warburton
Pinning everything down at the back is outstanding session drummer, Dr Mark Warburton. He has recorded and played alongside the likes of Gloria Gaynor, Errol Brown, Atomic Kitten, and even led the band at the world famous Blackpool Tower Circus. He may only play one instrument but, as is evident in his brilliant solos, he proves night after night that he is king of the swingers! And watch out for him coming forward with an instrument that most people cannot even spell! You can also catch Mark in his own world class Jazz Quartet 'Harlem's Disciples'. www.myspace.com/markwarburton
Siena Lloyd
New member with Rosy in the band is fellow Mancunian, Siena Lloyd. Clearly her reputation as the 'Blonde Bombshell' is nothing to do with hair colour but her leading role in the musical 'Blonde Bombshells', by Alan Plater, based loosely on the adventures of the 1940s Ivy Benson band, which enjoyed a successful British theatre tour in 2008. Indeed, Siena has extensive acting experience stretching from Hollyoaks to Shakespeare, from London to New York, in films, television and theatres across Britain. However, as a skilled musician it is her musical expertise that she now brings to the band. An experienced solo singer, she has also performed regularly on piano, keyboard, double bass, clarinet and tenor saxophone so yet another multi-instrumentalist brings more variety to the band's ever-widening array of sounds.
