Becky Baby
Vocalist
Becky Baby, Swing Theory’s powerhouse vocalist, is central Florida's reigning retro queen! Music is her first love and deepest passion. With her solo act and Swing Theory, she has performed hundreds of shows all over central Florida and loves every minute.
Notably she performed as Mrs. Lovett in the Insomniac Theater’s production of Sweeney Todd and has been featured in The North Central Florida Blues Society’s “Women in Blues” concert event. She had the honor of performing as a guest vocalist for The Gainesville Big Band in 2015 at Jenny Castle’s legendary Market Street Pub, where fortune united her with her true musical calling... Swing Theory.
Visit: BeckyBaby.com
Dan Neal
Trumpet
Dan Neal studied trumpet with UF Jazz Director Scott Wilson and played with Gary Langford’s EOS Band. He has lived in Gainesville for 10 years and performed at various local venues, including the Gainesville Jazz Festival, Bo Diddley Plaza and UF’s Constans Theatre.
Nick Simpson
Trombone
Nick Simpson, a trombonist for most of his life, has played in numerous jazz and concert bands throughout the southeast Michigan, Ontario Canada, Atlanta GA and Gainesville FL areas. His musical highlights include performing at the Super Bowl (XVI), playing on a Bob Hope TV Special, and getting to play with his friends in Swing Theory.
Masa Enomoto
Percussion
Masatoshi Enomoto (Masa), Swing Theory’s drummer, has studied music at the University of Miami and University of Florida and has been playing for over 25 years. He is the principal percussionist and has been a featured soloist with the Gainesville Orchestra and performs with the Ocala Symphony. He has also played in numerous musical theater productions and rock, jazz, and world groups.
Anthony Clark
Guitar
Anthony Clark, guitar and vocals, played in The Contenders featuring the TKO Horns in New Orleans. In Florida, he has been a member of Abe and the Houserockers classic soul band, the Gainesville Big Band, the Jazzodics.
John Leibach
Saxophone
John Leibach (AKA Johnny Sax) plays tenor and alto sax for Swing Theory. He started playing sax professionally in northern Ohio at age 15 with Bob Bixler and the Imperials, Sam Williams and the Nite Crawlers and one gig with the Clyde Beatty Circus Band. In addition, he subbed 3rd tenor for the Rick Kiefer Big Band, toured with The Keynotes (a takeoff of the Fred Waring Musical Group), and won an award at the Oberlin College State Band Competition [baritone sax]. John played tenor sax for the Ohio Wesleyan jazz band and lead tenor for the Gainesville Jazz Ensemble, and Gainesville Big Band.
Nolan
Koskela-Staples
Bass
Nolan Koskela-Staples is a bassist and multi-instrumentalist with over 15 years of experience performing in various ensembles. Nolan received a B.A. in Music in 2014, and since then he has enjoyed freelance work as a bassist. He is a versatile player and loves connecting with people through music. Nolan moved to Gainesville from Portland, Oregon in August 2018, and he is enjoying plugging into the jazz scene.