Gary Hunt - Guitar
and Vocals; Glenn Meyers - bass, harmonica, vocals;
Matt Wyatt - violin, viola
Mark Borzillo
Forced to play
piano at a young age, Borzillo had no desire to continue with music after
the 8th grade. Unbeknownst to him at the time, those early years laid a
foundation that would lay dormant until he heard his first bluegrass music
at age 15. After that, the music bug bit him bad. Starting with guitar, he
learned banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and bass in succession. Along the way, he
rediscovered his piano ability. Borzillo has played in a long succession
of bluegrass bands dating back to 1979. He has played the same venues as
Bill Monroe and Hot Rize and toured Germany with the Missouri River Gospel
Band. He began playing jazz in the late 90's after teaming with Glen Meyer
and other bored bluegrass pickers. He's also participated in Big Band
performances and plays piano at a monthly jazz show in Columbia, MO.
Justin Branum
Justin is a renowned fiddler and
mandolinist, who has played with and learned from such fiddle luminaries
as Bobby Hicks and Buddy Spicher. Justin holds a Bachelor of Music degree
in jazz performance from Webster University, where he studied jazz violin
and mandolin. He has won or placed in the top of many fiddle contests
throughout the U.S., including the prestigious National Old-Time Fiddler's
Contest in Weiser, Idaho, as well as the invitational Grandmaster's Fiddle
Contest in Nashville, Tenessee. Justin loves all styles of music, but
holds western swing and swing jazz especially close to his heart. Justin
plays on whatever he can get from the Wyatt Violin Shop or Grubville
Guitars.
Clint Hasse
(Vocals and Guitar)
Clint has a great appreciation
for almost all forms of music but in particular the songs of Tin Pan Alley
and “The Great American Songbook.” His rich baritone voice has become one
of the signature elements of the Swing DeVille sound. Clint is also
responsible for supplying the driving “guitare rhythmique” for the band
with his custom made French guitar straight from the foothills of the
Pyrenees Mountains in Southwestern France, built by the legendary luthier
Jean-Pierre Favino.
Gary Hunt
(Guitar and Vocals)
In addition to being considered
by many to be the most talented and versatile guitarist in the St. Louis
region, Gary is also a very gifted songwriter. Gary has performed and
toured with the internationally famous and preeminent Americana and
Bluegrass artist Tim O’Brien. On a local and regional basis, Gary leads
The Lonesome Pines and The Poor Mountaineers Bluegrass groups. For
several years Gary also fronted the nationally acclaimed rockabilly band,
the Rockhouse Ramblers. Gary’s gypsy guitar is a gorgeous hand made
French instrument by the world-renowned luthier, Maurice Dupont of Cognac,
France.
Glenn Meyers
(Bass and Harmonica)
Glenn grew up near the small
town of LaPorte in Northern Indiana. Both of his parents were
musicians and he was influenced at an early age by the jazz and swing
music that was always playing in their home. Glenn has also written
several of the popular Swing DeVille original compositions. Glenn
has one of the most impressive collections of vintage
stringed instruments in the world located in scenic Grubville, Missouri.
Glenn’s mid-1800s Czech double bass is considered by many bassists to be
one of the best instruments that they have ever played.
Matt Wyatt,
Violin
Matt grew up listening to
fiddling and developed a love and respect for music at a young age.
Fiddling goes back generations on both sides of his family and there was
always music at family get-togethers. He has won State Fiddle Championship
titles in 5 states and played for hundreds of dances.
Matt has a Bachelors degree in Commercial Music Performance from Belmont
University in Nashville, TN. While living in Nashville, Matt studied
with jazz violinist Martin Norgaard and Buddy Spicher and had
opportunities to work with many artists including playing on the Grand Old
Opry. Matt
travels the country buying, selling, and trading fine violins and bows.
He
runs
the Wyatt Violin Shop and teaching studio with his father in Independence, Missouri.
www.wyattviolinshop.com
His amazing sounding fiddle is an 18th century Italian
made violin.
