Rich Moore is a graduate of Kent State University. He earned B.M. and M.M. degrees in Music Education with an emphasis in conducting and percussion. While at Kent State, he studied percussion with Donald Miller of the Cleveland Orchestra. Kent State music ensembles Rich played in include the Wind Ensemble, University Orchestra, Sinfonia, Jazz Ensemble, Marching Band, and New-Music group. Rich is a past-winner of the K.S.U. School of Music’s Concerto Competition in which he appeared as marimba soloist with the K.S.U. Sinfonia. While in graduate school, he directed the “Flasher Brass” basketball pep band, was drill-writer and percussion instructor for the K.S.U. Marching Band, conducted the K.S.U. Concert Band, and taught percussion methods classes in addition to teaching private lessons to percussion music majors. Rich has also been featured as a marimba soloist with the K.S.U. Wind Ensemble. He is now a retired band director after teaching in the North Canton City Schools for over twenty-five years. Listen for Rich to be featured at our concerts in such pieces as "Sing, Sing, Sing", "Samba Ti Kaye", and in the Robert Feldbush original, "Al Fine". Jack Hurd has had a life-long interest in jazz and began playing the piano at age ten. He has also studied string bass and trombone. Jack holds a B.S. in Music Eduction and an M.F.P.A in Music from Kent State University along with an M.A. in Education Administration. He taught music in the Kent City Schools and now is an administrator there. Jack studied piano with Pat Pace for fourteen years and played cocktail music at Turner's in Hudson. He also appears with Bill Smith's Music Men and has played with them for over twenty years. Here is an example of Jack's fine jazz improvisation skills as he leads the band into the understated shout chorus of the famous "Basically Blues." Jack has been playing with The Swing Machine since 1997. Kathy Mates grew up in a family of barbershop quartet singers. Since 1973, she has sung in various bands in different styles including top-40 and jazz. She has performed with the Tom Fitt Trio and jazz pianist, Pat Pace. During his stint with the Swing Machine, the late Dick Pippert wrote beautiful arrangements for Kathy and the band such as "Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me," and "Come Rain or Come Shine." Here is Kathy singing "Mean to Me," and from our new CD, here is Kathy singing a Dave Wolpe arrangement of, "Summer Wind." Kathy is a charter member of the Swing Machine, having sung with the group since 1987. Larry Hunsicker performed on string bass and tuba in Navy big bands. After serving in the Navy, Larry played in Disney World music ensembles for twelve years in Orlando, Florida. He has been a member of The Swing Machine Big Band since 2002. Currently, Larry also plays in the Gene Fiocca Band, The Akron Pops Orchestra, and The Stow Symphony Orchestra. Ed James has been playing guitar since 1958. He learned to play from his father who was a jazz guitarist. Ed's first playing was in Rock n Roll bands but he evolved into a jazz guitarist and has performed in many jazz combos over the years. Ed has a B.A. in music with a minor in electronics. This prepared him to work as a recording technician for Universal Recording Corporation in Chicago, Illinois. There, he met many recording artists including Count Basie, Stan Getz, and Chicago. Ed is a craftsman member of the Piano Technicians' Guild and has been a full-time piano tuner and technician for over thirty-five years, serving colleges, public and private schools, churches, and private homes. Ed is a charter member of the Swing Machine and has played with the band since 1987.