Players
PAUL SOMMER was born and raised in Palo Alto, California and worked in music retail in the Bay Area in the 70s and 80s. He played with bands in the Bay Area for many years before moving with his wife, Laura, to the Pacific Northwest to work for Peavey Electronics in the late 80's. After playing only electric guitar for over thirty five years he now is also playing acoustic Hot Club Jazz. He also plays electric guitar with Joe Blue and the Roofshakers, a blues band you can see at various Seattle area clubs and festivals. After almost twenty years working for KORG USA Paul is now officially retired with more time to play guitar and pursue other interests like cooking, skiing, gardening and playing racquetball.
MELANIE MORALEZ has called several cities her home, but after graduating from art school in Minneapolis over a decade ago, she chose to settle down in Seattle. It was in Seattle that music shifted from being one of several hobbies as she became more focused on acoustic guitar. She's been teaching guitar through her business String Lark Lessons since 2012 and is a high school, art and music teacher at Eastside Academy. She also enjoys getting together with other musicians to make music and performs regularly. Thanks to the local Hot Club Jazz/Swing Jazz community, she finally discovered her true-love-genre and there's been no looking back. Melanie is also in other bands playing similar music; Deco Django with classical guitarist, Alex Lew, and the all-female ensemble Lulu Swing.
JANNA KUSHNERYK started out as a classically trained violinist, but is having way too much fun performing other genres of music from punk and Irish to Rock and Swing Jazz. Her eclectic taste in music has inspired her musical journey and she's loving learning new ways to play and meeting great folks to make music with along the way. She is a graphic artist by day, passionate musician by night and has performed with the Black Rose Irish folk rock band, Issaquah Philharmonic, and Seattle Rock Orchestra. Originally from Florida, she is really enjoying all that the Pacific North West has to offer.
KERRY FOWLER works as a medicinal chemist for his day job but has been hooked on bass since he was a teenager. Since moving to Seattle in 1989 he has played double bass with Orchestra Seattle, the Bellevue Philharmonic and the Seattle Rock Orchestra. He also plays electric bass in musical productions and the notorious garage-punk band Maxifinger. He's delighted to join Melanie, Paul and Janna playing the evocative music of Hot Club jazz.
Byron Street Swing thanks
Mike Sentkewitz (bass), Jessica Logan (bass), Steve Ryals (sax and clarinet), and Jeff Coult (guitar)
for sitting in on past performances!