SWAY
Gentle Jazz
for Social Occasions
So, Who's Who in SWAY and what is it that makes us enjoy our music so much?
Here's the band - this is who we are, what we do and why. If we could, we'd play all the time, but some of us have other stuff that gets in the way, (like a day job).
Simon Howard
Keyboards and Vocals
Simon discovered the joys of playing piano aged eleven and hasn’t looked back since. Classically trained but with a broad taste in music styles from the jazz, swing, blues and latin that we play in SWAY to choral and worship music.
As a teenager Simon played for a ballet and tap school (more for the girls than for the pocket money) and then earned beer and food as a student playing in cocktail bars and restaurants. As an adult he has focussed on building up his own business with music providing respite from the day job.
Simon formed the shy boys, a barbershop quartet, with Rob (now playing clarinet with SWAY) over twenty years ago. Simon started the band we now call SWAY with members of the Long Crendon Baptist Church worship group, initially to provide music for a Brazilian themed evening at church in 2008. Our initial gigs were all charity and church related and slowly we have built up a reputation for providing relaxed background music for champagne receptions, birthday parties and anniversaries.
Lyell Guthrie
Drums
Lyell at 80 years of age is the granddad of SWAY, playing drums with the original band formed from members of the Long Crendon Baptist church worship group. A hugely experienced drummer, Lyell has played in working mens clubs across the UK. He loves swing and latin and has been a key member of various big bands over the years.
Prior to a hip replacement, Lyell stopped playing for a couple of years in his early seventies, other than for the occasional church service. A new hip gave Lyell a new lease of life and he has added that special swing to SWAY ever since.
Jackie Highe
Vocalist
I love being vocalist with Sway – making music with talented musicians is always exciting and fulfilling – a real blast. And it’s so relaxed. It’s a joy for me as a singer to take a number and play with it – a scat here, a little doodle there, a shift of rhythm. I can make the song mine – I own it. So nothing’s ever the same twice running, it’s a matter of mood, inspiration – that’s jazz!
I’m also vocalist with an amazing big band (called Big Band swing). Fronting up getting on for twenty musicians is full on and exciting. And big bands are more disciplined – we have to stick to the written arrangement or we’d crash land, so Sway is a nice contrast.
I’ve been singing in public since I was a small child and I was brought up on this kind of music in a family of singers and musicians. I learned before I started school to extemporise harmonies on the spot in my head and go with the flow.
Sway rehearsals are huge fun – we get on well, push the musical boundaries and then fly into orbit during gigs. Making great music with lovely people for lovely people – what’s not to like?
Joe Kessell
Saxophone
I’ve been playing the sax since I was nine and I’ve been playing with the band for a few years now. It’s been great for developing my playing and has taught me a lot.
I really enjoy playing music in general, it’s a great way to relax but jazz to me is about more than just having fun or creating some nice background music. Jazz is it’s own world through which creativity can be expressed with a raw immediacy and freedom that is not matched through other outlets. [Crikey - we'd better pull our socks up, band! - Ed.]
I hope to continue with the band for as long as possible.
Rob Grimwood
Noodler - Clarinet and Stuff
Rob picked up his dusty old clarinet after 20 years of neglect and surprised his oldest friends (and himself) by remembering which way up to hold it and to blow instead of suck.
This unexpected revelation led to a rekindling of his passion for playing clarinet albeit in a totally different style to his youthful classical solo and orchestral training.
Rob is also the keyboard player for Lee Buckingham's Big Band Swing and has enjoyed many years as pianist for the hugely successful and award nominated Risborough Youth Theatre as well as occasional keyboard and clarinet outings for other local theatre groups such as The Thame Players and Cuddington Youth Theatre.
In his "spare time", Rob is a Project Manager for a Global Consumer Healthcare company, but we all know that he would rather be Noodling!
Richard Galley
Smooth Bass lines
Richard started to play music like most people at school with the recorder and guitar. He then went on to play the violin, which he continued with through middle and secondary school and also gaining acceptance and membership to High Wycombe Music Centre.
Richard decided to swap to playing the bass at school because his violin playing was so bad and due to his love for music, taking on another instrument would allow him to continue to be a member of various bands. (The truth is he got less mickey taking carrying a bass than the violin).
Richard has played a great variety of music since his school and music centre days, playing in many groups from local rock bands, big band jazz & swing bands, Barn dance bands (no comment) and has also been involved in numerous amatuer theatre productions.
As a teenager Richard used to listen to Stanley Clark in amazement but believes that the best players are the likes of; James Jamerson, Donald “Duck” Dunn and other unsung heroes of soul, funk & dance music of the 60’s & 70’s. In Richards words “Those nice fat grooves that just want to make you move”.
Katy Rimmer
Saxophone
Heavily involved in the Aylesbury Music Centre throughout her school years, Katy went on to study saxophone at the Royal Northern College of Music and played professionally for 15 years.
Katy's played in many big bands, pop bands and shows. She is a founder member of the Kintamarni Saxophone Quartet. The Quartet formed in 1998 giving recitals across the country and abroad as well as playing for many corporate events and giving hundreds of educational concerts and workshops. One of Katy's highlights was performing for President Clinton at Blenheim Palace.
Becoming a Mum brought the travelling to an end and Katy concentrated more on instrumental teaching and working with children with special needs through music. Katy has now retrained in primary classroom teaching and will embark on a teaching role as a year 1 class teacher in September.
Katy is delighted to be keeping her playing going and thoroughly enjoys being a member of Sway and playing alongside the other musicians in the band.
Special Guests?
The Sway line-up is a wonderfully fluid thing and we love to welcome new players and old friends into the fold for specific events. Do you have a friend or family member that wants a special spot in the set? No problem - Just let us know in advance and we'll do our best to accommodate them!