Anthony Kinsey – Lead Vocals and Piano
Anthony, as band leader, runs the show. Judging by his background he’s very well qualified to do just that. If learning the piano at age 6 wasn’t an early enough start Anthony began singing at 3! At age 15 his teachers spent more time looking for him than teaching him as he was constantly skipping school to visit venues and hustle for gigs. To the relief of his parents Anthony channeled his energies into a music degree at Leeds University. By this stage the influences of Frank Sinatra, Harry Connick Jr, Billy Joel and Stevie Wonder reaffirmed his desire to run his own band and so Schwing was born.
During the early stages of Schwing Anthony gained massive amounts of experience in the corporate and private function market by getting a job as an event manager, something that has given a real understanding of the nature of a client facing business and the levels of customer service involved.
During this time Schwing was going from strength to strength with work coming from all over the UK and Europe. The band found themselves performing for big name corporate clients in Cannes, Monte Carlo and Vienna to name a few. Under the leadership of Anthony the band continue to excite and entertain guests from small gatherings of 15 guests through to crowds of 15000!
Danny Preston – Bass
Danny Preston’s musical career began in Wolverhampton at an early age playing piano. At 16, he took a firm interest in playing the bass which soon secured him local gigs performing with soul and rock bands. He went on to study jazz at Leeds College where he became a prominent figure on the city’s jazz and funk scene. During his time in Leeds, he also received an invitation by the International Association of Jazz Education to perform with local jazz orchestras in both New York and New Orleans.
In 2002, Danny joined the QE2 Orchestra performing with renowned artists such as Dianne Schuur, Ann Hampton - Calloway, The Williams Brothers and Petula Clarke.
Alongside his busy life with Schwing Danny is an active composer & arranger, predominantly with Birmingham based band ‘1 Eye’.
Andrew Morel – Saxophones
Baritone & Alto specialist, Vocalist, Crowd rousing entertainer, Carpenter... AND the world's No. 1 James Brown fan. Originally from deepest, Cider drinking, Devon Andy has now become an honorary Mancunian having studied Music at Salford University, and his musical reputation and credentials in the City suggest that everybody here hopes he'll stick around for good.
Andy compliments his huge musical talent with a great approach to life as a musician and most of all an obvious and infectious love for playing good music. His diverse tastes for Jazz, blues, soul & funk have placed him on the radar of many fine artists and bands in his busy career. Credits include the Andy Prior Big Band, the funky Pocket Central, E2K, Andy Schofield's Saxassault, Bob Mintzer and Snake Davis, as well as Andy's own band Cabbage Alley.
Benny Lee – Trumpet
Schwing are delighted to have this talented and sought after musician, who’s confident style and captivating personality make him a truly memorable live performer. Benny took up Trumpet at the age of Twelve. He studied music at The University of Leeds and after graduating, he turned professional in 1999.
Since then, Ben has had a busy career with some of the finest bands around, including The New Squadronaires, Andy Prior Big Band, Nelson Riddle Orchestra UK, Glen Miller Orchestra UK, Memphis Belle Swing Orchestra, Jimmy James and The Vagabonds, Rat Pack Live from Las Vegas, Magic of Motown, Nick Ross Orchestra, Eric Delaney, Sounds of The Blues Brothers, Pasadena Roof orchestra and John Miller Orchestra.
Matthew Ball – Trombone
As well as being a fine musician, Matt brings a huge passion for playing great music and his flair for solo-ing is featured regularly on every show.
Graduated from Leeds College of Music with a BA in Jazz Studies, Matthew has worked with many renowned artists and bands including Gloria Gaynor, Elbow, Atomic Kitten, Raymond Quinn, Peter Grant, Andy Prior, Claire Sweeney, Tina May and Claire Teale. Other work includes playing with Big Bands & Theatre Shows, such as The Glenn Miller Orchestre UK, The New Squadronaires, Memphis Belle Orchestra, Viva Las Vegas, Ellington Experience and the National Festival Orchestra.
Jim Cory – Saxophones
Jim has gained an enviable musical reputation over the years. The measure of his extreme talent can be seen by the success in a career which has seen Jim regularly recording & touring the UK and Europe with artists as diverse as pop sensation Corinne Bailey Rae, Mark Ronson and 70s legend Roy Wood. More recently Jim has had the opportunity to work on a brand new project with Jamiroquai. Aside from this, Jim has managed to maintain a busy schedule of regular gigs in the North of England playing everything from Jazz to Funk and Latin American music.
James Russell – Saxophones
James has become one of the most versatile and respected musicians and composers in the North of England, and his open-minded approach has ensured a widely diverse career; not only playing alto, tenor and baritone saxes with equal proficiency and confidence but also as a composer, arranger, recording engineer & producer.
Testament to this diverse talent is James’ varied list of credits... As a live performer with Roy Wood’s band, composer & producer with Jason Donovan & session playing with Jamiroquai.
Steve 'Billy' Buckley – Guitar
Called 'Billy' since the age of about 14 due to a lasting obsession with Rockabilly/'50s +'60's R'n'b music. Billy started playing at the age of 7 when his Dad give him a 1959 Hofner club 40 electric guitar which he played exclusively 1959 music on. Horizons were widened and he gazed bleary eyed into the colourful world of 1960 (In 1983). Times move on and the single 1959 Hofner guitar playing 1959 music has bred into a roomful of Gibson, Fender, Gretsch guitars, amps, lap steels and a pedal steel playing a brew of groovy roots, contemporary Jazz and spaghetti western inspired twang.
Sulene Fleming – Vocals
Sulene has become affectionately known as Schwing's 'secret weopon' and her contribution to the band has been a huge part of it's success on so many big events. Her voice alone can steal any show but still manages to add to that her phenomenal presence & confidence which lifts the band as much as it amazes the audiences. Sulene is now the lead vocalist with iconic acid jazz group The Brand New Heavies, and as well this talent for live performing, she is also a busy and session vocalist & composer with a vast and growing catalogue of recorded and published music in many styles. Her tracks have appeared in Gordon Ramsey’s The F Word, Britains Next Top Model, HollyOaks and Sugar Rush.