Tom Falen started his early musical education under Robert Feldbush and went on to study at the Navy School of Music. After serving in the Navy, he studied music composition at The Berklee College of Music in Boston. Tom has played lead trumpet in many bands and has performed in The Kent Jazz Society, and The Canton Playhouse Orchestra. He currently plays in The Meadowbrook Big Band, The Alliance Symphony Orchestra Big Band, The Bob Hoefler Big Band, The Jack Halkides Orchestra, and The Canton Cabaret Orchestra. In addition to his trumpet playing, Tom is the male vocalist for The Swing Machine. He is a big fan of Bobby Darin and Frank Sinatra. The influence of these two great jazz singers is evident in Tom's performances of such hits as "Up a Lazy River," "Mack the Knife," "I've Got You Under My Skin," and "Oh, Look at Me Now." Bill Turner learned to play and appreciate big band music from his high school band director, Wayne Chaffin. Bill has studied trumpet with Frank Bradshaw, Ed Masters, and Michael Chunn. Bill holds masters degrees in education from Kent State and Ohio University. He teaches instrumental music in the Medina Highland Schools. Bill's soloing is featured in such pieces as "You'll Never Know," "Jersey Bounce," "Song of India," and "Night Train". John Fridy received a PhD in mathematics from The University of North Carolina. He taught at Penn State, The University of North Carolina, Rutgers, and after teaching at Kent State University for 33 years is now a professor emeritus there. John has an extensive and eclectic collection of recordings tracing the history of jazz from its early years to the present day. He plays in several N.E. Ohio jazz groups, including TGIF, a small swing band that he directs. John often solos with The Swing Machine. Here he performs the trumpet solo in Sammy Nestico's arrangement of "Satin Doll" originally written for the Count Basie Band. Bob Gid began playing trumpet in elementary school and became interested in jazz and big bands in high school. Bob received his B.A. in Education from The University of Akron and his M.Ed. from Kent State University. He served in the United States Army and is a Vietnam veteran. Bob is a certified senior financial advisor and has worked for The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company as an international contact. He has also worked in the fields of tax preparation and insurance sales. Bob is a charter member of the Swing Machine and has played with the band since 1987. Bob Westbrooks began playing trumpet in 1957 at the age of six. He first became interested in jazz at the age of twelve when he joined a big band put together by trombonist, Garney Hicks, comprised solely of junior high school kids practicing in the attic of Garney's parents' home. Bob attended The University of Akron where he received a B.S. in Business Administration and then attended The University of Akron Law School were he obtained his juris doctor degree. He was employed at Dominion East Ohio as senior counsel in their law department and retired on April 1, 2008. Other jazz groups Bob has performed with include the Johnny Nuzim Orchestra, the Bob Cole Orchestra, the Lou Ciriano Combo, and the Jim Burns Quartet. Bob is often a featured soloist at our concerts. Here he is soloing on a harmon muted trumpet in the beautiful "Unforgettable", and soloing on flugelhorn in "Satin Doll." Bob has been playing with the Swing Machine since 1990.