The Quintet
Swingset formed as a swing quartet in 2017 and has played at various private and public venues around Winston Salem, NC. Don Speranza joined the group in 2022, playing bass. Since then we have been joined by talented artists such as David Niblock and Doug Warren on guitar.
SYNTHIA FOLWELL
Synthia is a singer/song writer with a passion for the old standards. She is a talented vocalist with a natural ability to harmonize on the fly. Synthia sings and plays mandolin in the band. Synthia has been inspired by a wide variety of artists from Etta, Emma and Blossom to Carly, Joni and Janice to Allison, Eva and Bonnie. What drives her is not so much performing but playing and singing with other people.
MARK LEACH
Mark began playing guitar and blues piano in college. Some of his early influences include Robert Johnson, Bessie Smith, Jelly Roll Morton, and the David Grisman Quintet. He loves the early New Orleans jazz and blues sounds, from Louis Armstrong to the bands playing on Frenchman Street today. Mark sings and plays rhythm guitar.
SUSIE POLLOCK
Susie first started playing the violin at age 12. She played classical viola on the West Coast in various chamber music settings. Since relocating to North Carolina in 1999, she has expanded her fiddle playing to include swing, Celtic, old time, gospel, and standards. Susie's idol is Stephane Grappelli, and she loves playing swing music most of all the other genres.
DON SPERANZA
Don Speranza started playing guitar shortly after he retired. Don plays bass in the band, often playing instruments that he made, which is another hobby that keeps him busy. Don plays “Classic Gold” songs from the 60’s but also really enjoys playing swing songs because “they are just so much fun to play!”
DAVID NIBLOCK
David Niblock is honored and excited to have the opportunity to perform with Swingset as an acoustic guitarist! David’s influences on the acoustic guitar range from Robert Johnson to Merle Travis, James Taylor, Stephen Stills and everyone in between. David has performed regularly with David Childers, Gene Vance, and the late Holt Gwyn, and he frequently performs a solo acoustic show. He has recorded two CDs of original contemporary Christian music and one album of secular music.
DOUG WARREN
Doug started playing guitar in his 20s when a friend suggested he give it a try. He was drawn to the music of the Beatles and is influenced by an eclectic group of artists, including Willie Nelson, Al Di Meola, Steely Dan and Hank Williams. Doug enjoys jamming with friends at Lot 63 and the Dawg House, and is excited to be a part of Swingset.
