Swing Shift exemplify quality and variety. Swing Shift is a band for all occasions, equally competent in many genres of music.  All musicians are experienced professionals. Swing Shift has performed at festivals, weddings, and private functions throughout the state of Colorado, and members of the band have performed throughout the United States and Europe.

 

Sal Martorano plays sax and clarinet and is the leader. He has an MA in computers and music technology from Lesley University. Sal is a retired band director from the St. Vrain Valley Schools.

He was inducted into the Colorado Bandmasters Hall of Fame in 2015.

 

James Barela plays the Electronic Valve Instrument (EVI). He was a first call trumpet player in Las Vegas for 15 years and received his MA degree from Lamont School of Music in composition.

 

Ed Stephen plays the guitar and received his MA degree in music from Post College in New York. He taught in the guitar program at the CU Denver.

 

Darren Wagner plays bass guitar. He received his MA degree from CU Denver and now teaches music at Lake County Intermediate School. He toured extensively with the Royal Caribbean Orchestra.

 

Ray Harrison plays the keyboard and received his BA in music education from Chapman College in California. He sang professionally with the William Hall Chorale and retired from teaching vocal music in the St. Vrain Valley Schools. Ray was named teacher of the year at Niwot H.S.

 

Gary Martinez received his BA degree from Colorado State University. He comes from a very music family; almost everyone in his family plays drums. Gary raises and trains pure bred Arabian horses, was a rodeo bull rider, and is an avid outdoorsman.

 

Swing Shift performs swing, blues, jazz standards, R & B, classic rock, and Italian favorites. Music selections include songs recorded by Kenny Burrell, Eddie Harris, Joe Zawinul, Herbie

Hancock, Ray Charles, Louis Prima, Frank Sinatra, Horace Silver, Nat Adderley, Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, George Gershwin, Cab Calloway, Lou Monte, Dean Martin, Henry Mancini, Chuck

Mangione, Carlos Santana, Chicago, Blood Sweat & Tears, and more. The band can tailor the music to fit your occasion and even arrange special music for your event.