Our History
The Hendersonville Swing Band, under the direction of trombonist Jerry Zink, plays music of the Big Band era of the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s. The band is primarily a rehearsal band made up of a group of 17 musicians who get together to play this music for their own enjoyment. Nearly all the members of the band are retirees. At present, the band has members from Henderson, Transylvania, Haywood and Buncombe counties.
The current band is an outgrowth of two earlier groups which had been rehearsing and performing in Henderson County since 1983. The original organization was more of a society orchestra led by Irvin Grimm and called the Grimm Aces. In the late ‘80s, the group evolved into a small dance band called the Stardusters. Players were added to the band until about 1994 when it finally became the band it is today.
Performances
The Hendersonville Swing Band gives three to four public performances each year. With only a few exceptions, the concerts have been fundraisers for service clubs and agencies such as the following:
- Interfaith Assistance Ministry
- The Environmental and Conservation
- Organization (ECO)
- The Dispute Settlement Center
- The Hendersonville Kiwanis Club
- Scholarship Fund
- The Hendersonville Symphony
- Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
- Hendersonville Community MusicCenter
- Thrive
- Medical Loan Closet
- Hendersonville Civitan Club
Although the band prefers to remain close to home in Henderson County, it has traveled as far away as Columbus to play at Tryon Estates, Tryon at the Tryon Fine Arts Center and Canton at the Colonial Theater.
To Schedule an Event
If your organization is interested in sponsoring a concert, click the Contact the Band button below on this site.
Upcoming events
Band Members

B J Sharp
Piano

John Barrett
Drums

Tom Donnelly
Percussion / Vocalist

Charles Johnson
Trombone

Tommy Brendel
Trombone

Jerry Zink
Trombone

Joe Brashier
Trombone

Stephen Ray
Trumpet

Wayne Fraederich
Trumpet

John McCoy
Trumpet

Jesse Gram
Trumpet

Ron Judd
Trumpet

Tim Meadows
Alto Sax

Marilyn Campbell
Alto Sax

Tom Ward
Tenor Sax

John Caldemeyer
Tenor Sax

Kim Jacklin
Baritone Sax

Leo Bjorlie
String Bass
Contact Us
Contact the Hendersonville Swing Band