Meet the Musicians

Jim is the retired Director of Bands and Music Department Chair at Ben Davis High School where his bands won 6 state championships and his jazz band won numerous awards including an invitational performance at the Indy Jazz Fest. After a career of 33 years as a music educator, Jim is proud that many of his former students are now playing professionally, composing and arranging, and pursuing outstanding careers in music education. Jim is assistant principal trumpet with the Indiana Wind Symphony, plays in the St. Luke’s United Methodist Church Orchestra where he is a frequent soloist, and plays studio recording sessions. Along with JoySwing Jim plays in the Barton Rodgers Big Band, teaches more than 20 private students in Zionsville, and is a consultant for the Zionsville High school Band.

Although he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from Purdue and a Master’s in Adult Education from IU, Steve spent a lot of his college days playing Jazz. After graduation he participated in clinics and recorded and toured in the eastern USA including performances with noted jazz trumpeter Marvin Stamm and in the Detroit Kool Jazz Festival. Steve plays in the Indianapolis Symphonic Band, the Barton Rogers Big Band, is a vocalist with Blue Skies Big Band, sings second tenor and is a Board member with the choral group VOCE and sings in his home church, St Luke’s United Methodist. Steve takes time out of his musical career to serve as Vice President, Market Sales and Service Manager for PNC Bank – Branches in Indiana.

Cheri Brightman is retired Director of Bands from Lynhurst 7th and 8th Grade Center in Wayne Township. After 29 years of teaching band, she is happily helping over 50 students in Wayne, Pike, Washington and Decatur township become better musicians on their respective instruments. She is also shop assistant at Nick Brightman’s Woodwind Repair.

Cheri grew up on a dairy farm in Wayne County. Her parents, who were active musicians in the church inspired her to pick up the saxophone in grade school. She has a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Ball State University and Graduate credit from Butler University.

In addition to Joyswing, Cheri is the principal alto in the Indiana Wind Symphony. She also plays in the Indianapolis Saxophone Quartet and has performed with the West Winds Big Band.

Scott holds a Bachelors degree in Music Education with a Jazz Studies Minor from Ball State University and a Masters of Saxophone Performance from the University of Cincinnati Conservatory. At one time he was an adjunct professor of Saxophone at Taylor University. He has performed in several states throughout the Midwest region, including performances with the Guy Lombardo Orchestra, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, and the Jan Garber Orchestra. He was a founding member of the Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra on both lead tenor and lead alto saxophones and appears as a soloist on the first three CDs recorded by that group. Scott has also performed on stage with many notable jazz legends including Randy Brecker, Bob Mintzer, Ray Brown, Phil Woods, Tom Haerle, Joe Henderson, Rufus Reid, Pete Christlieb, Ernie Watts, Conte Candoli, Ed Shaughnessy, James Moody, Joanne Brackeen, and Jerry Van Blair. He currently works in the repair department at Paiges Music in Indianapolis, where he helps supply musical instruments to students in over 400 schools across the state of Indiana. He is also a contest judge for the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA).

Rick embraced saxophone and music performance starting back in High School in his hometown of Milwaukee, WI. Rick's passion for music and audio drove him to study Electrical Engineering at Marquette University where he received both his Bachelors and Masters of Science degrees. At Marquette, Rick first studied jazz under Dr Nicolas J Contorno and also attended classes in jazz theory and performance at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. Throughout college, Rick performed in several college ensembles as well as with working Milwaukee and Chicago area big bands including the Gary Christiansen Big Band, "Mood Swing" and with his own group, “Jagged Jazz”. Rick's main occupation in electronics engineering and project management has enabled him to design products used in almost all aspects of audio capture and reproduction. His professional affiliations span major audio companies such as Shure and Klipsch and as well as co-founder of his own high-performance audio electronics company, Indy Audio Labs. Rick is a long-time member of the Audio Engineering Society and remains actively involved with live sound recording and mixing. With his home now in Westfield, IN, Rick can be heard on saxes at Grace Community church, Brownsburg HS Show Choir, with JoySwing and with various jazz and pop groups around Indianapolis.

A native of Columbus, Ohio Charlie holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of North Texas and a Master of Music from the University of Kentucky. He has been a band director for 22 years including North Central and Fishers High Schools. Charlie has been married to Flutist Charlotte for 22 years. Charlie has played with numerous top bands and musicians over the years including Ray Charles and Grammy winner Jeff Coffin. His musical experience is varied from the Irving Ballet to the Kentucky Jazz Ensemble, and the Grace Community Church Praise Band.

Tom attended Hobart High School and Indiana State University and, upon graduation, taught for several years. In 1988 Tom went into the insurance business and after building a successful agency he returned to education in 2008 as an Instrumental Music teacher with IPS. Tom leads 4Bones4Him, a Christian trombone quartet, joining church services in praising His Holy Name. Besides his school bands, Tom plays in and is the musical director/arranger for The West Winds Big Band, the Jazz Torino, and The Park Avenue Band. Tom also plays in many different organizations including all of the area symphonies. In his spare time he enjoys watching his sons grow up, white water rafting, avoiding the honey do list, and trying to keep up with his wife.

After graduating from the University Of Cincinnati in Music Ed Steve taught music for 2 years in Indianapolis Public Schools. In 1967 he joined the USAF where he spent 21 years as a jet fighter pilot, earning Senior Command Pilot wings. He retired as a Lt. Col. and began playing the trombone again after a 22 year layoff. Steve recently retired as Pilot Liaison for Corporate and Air Lines at Rolls-Royce, and now plays trombone full time. Besides his work with JoySwing Steve plays with numerous jazz bands as well as the Indianapolis Brass Choir.

Steve has had an interest in jazz as well as classical and church music all of his life. As a teenager he played in a dance combo that his dad directed. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory with a degree in trombone performance. Feeling a call to Christian music ministry, he entered the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky also graduating from there with a Master of Church Music degree. Following eight years in music ministry in churches in Kentucky and Indiana he worked as a music missionary in South Korea under the auspices of the International Mission Board, Southern Baptist Convention. For the last 15 years Steve has led the music ministry for the State Convention of Baptists in Indiana with responsibilities in partnership missions and church planting. He plays in other local ensembles including the Indianapolis Brass Choir, the Indianapolis Symphonic Band and two other big bands.

Rick performed for four years in Western Michigan Universities Jazz Orchestra, graduating in 1984, and then with the University of Michigan Jazz Orchestra while in graduate school. After college, Rick led and performed for over ten years, the Detroit based Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra. This band quickly became one of the most sought after bands in Michigan working 30-40 dates per year. After relocating to Indianapolis in 1996, Rick joined the Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra. Rick has performed with Diane Schuur, Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme’, Frankie Valli, Engelbert Humperdinck, Al Martino & many others. In addition to having led the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, Rick also currently leads the trombone/rhythm section jazz group; “Bone Appetit”.

John Stebbe grew up in Fort Wayne, and graduated from Ball State with a major in music education. He has a master’s degree in history from Butler University. He has taught elementary music for most of his career, and is in his 17th year of teaching music at Mary Bryan Elementary School in Perry Township. He directed a children’s church choir program for seventeen years. Two of his compositions for children’s choir have been published. He plays piano with a quartet called “Jaden Street Jazz,” in addition to various other ensembles. He participates in the music ministry at Calvary Lutheran Church, and plays guitar for their contemporary service.

Francis Wyatt is an 11 year veteran of the United States Air Force, where he performed in every musical ensemble at Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

His work as a Jazz percussionist includes performing and touring with Joe Henderson, Conrad Herwig, Tony Dumas, & George Mraz. He’s also shared the stage with Michael Brecker, Carl Fontana, Bobby Watson, & Arturo Sandoval.

Fran’s background includes a high degree of expertise in music and recording technology, and contemporary performance techniques. He has produced several recordings in both secular and Christian markets.

In addition to performing with “Upbeat Brass” chamber ensemble, he was the worship pastor at Willow Creek Chicago Church, the downtown campus of Willow Creek Community Church, one of the largest churches in North America for 7 years.

He currently lives in Indianapolis with his wife Cheryl and their two adult children, April and Brandon. He is the Director of Contemporary Worship & Arts at St. Luke’s UMC Church.

Jim started playing trumpet at age 11. His first teacher was a professional who had him improvising as soon as he could play scales. While in college he was encouraged by innovative band leader Stan Kenton to pursue a professional music career in Hollywood. But the responsibilities of growing a family led Jim into a highly successful career in Radio and TV entertainment. After a few years away from the horn he resumed playing on a serious level. Jim is classically trained having studied with world renowned Baroque trumpeter Donald Bullock as well as with jazz greats Mark Buselli and Roger Ingram. Besides JoySwing Jim has played trumpet and flugel horn for the West Winds Big Band, Swing Shift Indy, the Buddy K Big Band based in Asheville, and a tour to Lima, Peru with the Al Fine Big Band. He was also on the first trip to Cuba with the Metro Big Band lead by Camp Kirkland and toured Cuba with Global Missions Project’s Celebration Orchestra.