The Quintet
Swingset formed as a String Quartet in 2017 with Synthia, Mark, Susie and Bev as the founding members. The group has played at various private and public venues around Winston-Salem, NC since then. Don joined the group in 2022 playing bass completing The Swingset String Quintet.
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.
BEV JONES
To Bev, swing music is the perfect blend of blues, rhythm, jazz and soul. His musical influences include hot tuna, Ry Cooder, Reverend Gary McDowell, and Chuck Berry. His first real band was in Africa playing country and western music for the American Embassy. Bev sings and plays rhythm and lead guitar on his Gibson J45.
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!”
