Trumpet, General manager

Steve Chargo is one of the founding members of the Westwind Swing Band, which was formed in 2014.  He started played trumpet in 5th grade, continuing through high school.  Following a 25 year hiatus cultivating his family and his career as an audiologist, he started playing the trumpet again in 2000.  In addition to the Westwind Swing Band, in which he is also the General Manager, Steve enjoys playing with local community bands and in the pit orchestra for local community theater groups.  He feels very fortunate to be able to share his love of music and the Swing Band with the love of his life, Robyn Barziza Chargo, the lead vocalist of the group.  When Steve is not playing his horn, he enjoys traveling, golfing, boating, playing pickle ball and spending time with his children, grandchildren and of course, Robyn.

Alto Saxophone

Paul Zeller plays Alto Sax in the Westwind Swing Band. He enjoys the swing band so much because of the passion of the band members and the authenticity of the musical interpretations. Paul enjoys a wide range of music and also plays in Rock, Soul and Blues horn bands as well as a Jazz Quintet. 

Tenor & Alto Saxophone, Clarinet

A music enthusiast whose love of many types of music – jazz, rock, theatrical, and classical took root in high school.  During high school, LeRoy played with four concert organizations, which included the Quincy High Concert Band, Quincy High Concert Orchestra, Quincy College Wind Ensemble, and the Quincy Park Band.  Additionally, he performed with two jazz bands that included the Quincy High Stage Band, and the Tri-State Jazz Band.  During college, continued to play with the Park Band, as well as played with the Northern Illinois University Marching Huskies and Concert Band.  Also, during college, LeRoy played with Bridge, a jazz/rock cover band.   After a hiatus in the Marine Corps, he returned to playing with the Park Band, as well as playing in the pit orchestra for several community theatre productions. In 1986, LeRoy was a founding member of the Dakota Valley Civic Orchestra, and performed with them for four years.  A former member of the Minneapolis Police Band.  Since 2014, has been a member of the Prior Lake Windjammers Concert Ensemble; Clarinets Unique, a clarinet choir; and the Hopkins Westwind Concert Band.  LeRoy joined the Westwind Swing Band in 2016, and has enjoyed himself ever since.

Conductor, Upright Bass, Webmaster

Budding rock and roller who began playing bass guitar in the high school jazz rock ensemble at the age of 14. Fell in love with Big Band, Jazz and Swing. The rock and roll career never took off but big band, jazz and swing have always been there as an ongoing passion. Played through high school, founded, played in and conducted the Freedom Jazz! Big Band for many years. Bassist for 2014 production of Godspell at Theatre in the Round, stage band for several productions of Morris Park Players, regular in the church praise band, Minneapolis Police Swing Band, Hopkins Westwind Big Band, Minnetonka Jazz Band, and others. The last several years have been spent conducting and playing in the Westwind Swing Band… the pinnacle of a lifetime of performance experiences!

Trumpet, Flugelhorn

Comeback trumpet player. Grew up listening to Big Band Jazz and the Great American Songbook. Played through high school, Drake University Marching Band, 434th U.S. Army Band, Anoka Ramsey Jazz Ensemble,  Freedom Jazz. And now I've now found my home with the Westwind Swing Band for the past 5 years...and loving every minute!

Trombone

In addition to his day job as a biomedical engineer, Scott performs regularly with multiple groups spanning a wide range of genres. Retro Soul and the West Side Horns featuring Big Mike Mothershed, The Minneapolis Trombone Choir, The Minnesota Valley Community Band, and the JazzHounds Big Band. He also performs with and substitutes in numerous small ensembles and orchestras both sacred and secular. Scott has especially enjoyed performing with the Chaska/Chanhassen Jazz Festival Band. 

Scott studied trombone under Stillwater High School band director George Regis and performed in the University of Minnesota Jazz Ensembles. More recently Scott has continued his studies with Jim Tenbensel and Scott Agster. Scott plays trombone in the Westwind Swing Band and has been very active in the leadership of the organization.

Alto Saxophone

Dan picked up the saxophone at age 11 and hasn't put it down since. At his mother's insistence, he joined the school band in 5th grade and found he absolutely loved it. He joined jazz band for the first time in middle school, even though it meant getting to school at 6:45 in the morning. His love of music carried him all the way through high school, where stayed active in jazz, concert, and marching band. In college, he was privileged to spend four memorable years with the University of MInnesota Marching Band, including two years in section leadership. His senior year, he auditioned for the college jazz bands and was pleasantly surprised to be placed in the mid-tier group. Since college, Dan has done his best to stay active musically, including 8 great years with the City of Lakes Community Band (formerly the Calhoun-Isles Community Band). Dan joined the Westwind Swing Band in 2015 when they were barely a year old and in need of an alto sax player. In the years since, the band has grown in both membership and skill while never failing to have a good time along the way. Dan can say without doubt (and frequently does) that this is the best group of musicians he's had the pleasure of playing with. Dan also enjoys biking, cooking, baking, and traveling. 

Lead Vocalist

Robyn has been singing for as long as she can remember. She is originally from Houston, Texas, and then spent 12 years in Austin before moving to Minnesota in 1992.    She joined her first choir in 6th grade and continued her choral journey throughout high school and in community choirs as an adult.  Choirs including Vocal Essence, (formally known as Plymouth Music Series) and the River City Singers out of Chaska, introduced her to a variety of challenging pieces.  

During high school, she performed in talents shows, solo and ensemble competitions, and was in a Country & Western/Rock band,  where she was the lead singer.  She also performed in many musical theater productions.  After she moved from Texas to Minnesota, she got involved in community theater and has performed in 20 shows with the Chaska Valley Family Theater.  Her husband, Steve, who plays trumpet in the band, performed in the pit orchestra and on stage with her many times!  The WSB was formed in 2014 and Robyn has been involved from the beginning.  She had never sung swing era music before and has definitely fallen in love with the genre!  She also performs in a small jazz quintet with 2 other members of the WSB, called The Barn Cats!  When not performing, she enjoys spending time with her kids and 2, stunningly beautiful grandchildren, boating on the lake with her husband, hanging out with their two Australian Shepherds, and playing Pickleball!

Piano

While working as a piano technician in England where he grew up, Andrew could occasionally be heard picking out some of the same swing tunes he now plays regularly with the Westwind Swing Band. After moving to the US in 1999, Andrew found himself playing piano in various nursing homes, ragtime combos, music festivals and societies, the Minnesota State Fair and more. Andrew eventually transitioned to his original occupation of reviving old pianos from which he retired in 2019. Andrew originally joined the Hopkins Westwind Concert Band as a clarinet player and as a piano player in two different jazz ensembles, one of which became the Westwind Swing Band. From the humble beginnings of the Westwind Swing band in 2014, Andrew was always impressed by the dedication of the musicians who played in this band, and he is very happy to be part of it. 

Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute

A perpetual music geek, learning whatever part needs to be filled. Dale started singing in grade school and got into the top choirs in college and beyond, taking it onstage in musicals. He became infatuated with marching band and got his first saxophone in junior high. Through high school Dale was in every band and orchestra, usually on a different instrument every time.  In college he became a sax major and toured the country in a Christian rock band on woodwinds and keyboards.  Locally Dale has performed with The Foshays, Twin Cities Gay Mens Chorus, Minnesota Freedom Band and other community bands, Golden Valley Orchestra, Just Friends and Freedom Jazz! big bands. Look for him in the sax section...whatever part needs to be covered.

Guitar, vocalist

Dan has a degree in Voice and Choral Music Education from the University of St. Thomas.  Now retired after a  long career as a church music director, Dan has become a student of jazz guitar.  He is very excited to play guitar in the rhythm section and enjoys performing with all the talented musicians of West Wind Swing Band. 

Trombone, vocalist

Derick was assigned the trombone in 5th grade because he was the only one that could reach 7th position. Fortunately, it was a perfect fit. Growing up in North Idaho, Derick attended the University of Idaho and played in various groups including the Wind Ensemble, various Jazz Bands, and the Vandal Marching band. While Derick was attending the university, the music department started a jazz group dedicated to music from the 30s and 40s, also a perfect fit. After college, Derick worked retail and IT jobs in different regions of the country, always looking to continue playing in a group that celebrates jazz from that era. Besides fitting in with the Westwind Swing Band, Derick enjoys Star Wars, LEGOs, and time outdoors including nordic skiing and hiking.

Drums, Percussion

Josh hit his first drum in 5th grade. He's loved hitting drums ever since. Largely self-taught on the drums, Josh counts Gene Krupa, Lars Ulrich and Mike Marsh as his main influences. He tries his best to honor the "Drumocratic Oath": Do No Harm. 

Josh has a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of St. Thomas and a Master of Arts in Philosophy from Holy Apostles College and Seminary. He also plays guitar. Come see him play rock, pop and bebop with his other band, The Barn Cats. 

Josh lives in Fridley, MN with his wife Jenn and his son Roland.

Trumpet, Vocalist

Trumpet player (and occasional vocalist) Mike Bonfig has been with the Westwind Swing Band since the fall of 2019.   He started playing trumpet in 8th grade, and by his senior year, graduated from New Hampton (Iowa) High School with outstanding soloist awards from NEIBA (Northeast Iowa Bandmasters Association) and the IAJE (International Association of Jazz Educators).  He also earned the Louie Armstrong Outstanding Jazz Performer award and Trumpet and Jazz scholarships to the University of Northern Iowa, where he planned to pursue a degree in Music Education.   While staying active in trumpet performance (UNI Panther Marching Band, Jazz Bands 3 & 4 and Symphonic Band), Mike ended up on a different course of study, working in the university's computer labs and landing a career working in Software Consulting, Support, and Training.  Drum and Bugle Corps has been a strong influence on his playing and he has performed with the Dubuque Colts, the Green Bay Northmen, the St. Peter Govenaires and Minnesota Brass, Inc., performing in the latter three as a soloist.  He also acted as a Brass Instructor and Drum Major for Chops, Inc.   Glenn Miller has always been a favorite of Mike’s and joining the Westwind Swing Band has afforded him the opportunity to perform many of the pieces that continually rolled through his listening playlist.  A resident of Apple Valley, he and his wife have two children and as a group, his family enjoys cooking and travel. 

Tenor Saxophone

Steve Neururer first joined the Westwind Swing Band in 2015.  He started playing saxophone in 4th grade, continuing through college.  After college, Steve put his saxophone in storage and focused his career as a police officer.  A couple of decades later, Steve was contacted by a member of a local community band, when they needed a tenor sax player, and he resumed playing.  This is where he met members of the Westwind Swing Band and was asked to play with them.  In addition to the Westwind Swing Band, Steve enjoys playing with another local community band and is also an active member of his church choir.  Growing up, Steve always enjoyed listening to big band music and also played in his high school jazz band, concert band and the marching band.  Steve is now retired from law enforcement and has since started a new private business aimed at assisting law enforcement agencies hiring new employees.  When Steve is not playing the sax, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends.

Trombone

 Tyler's musical interests range from swing, jazz, ska, punk-rock, southern rock, country, and plenty of others. He is primarily a trombone and guitar player, but is always interested in trying out new instruments. Tyler has been with Westwind Swing Band for the past year and has also played with his university's basketball band and other community bands.

Saxophone

Tom's first musical "spotlight" was as a vocal soloist in his fourth grade Sunday School Christmas Program, but his true love of musical performance began when, in sixth grade, he joined the Lincoln Elementary School Band, White Bear Lake, playing the Alto Sax. During his first concert, Tom performed a solo (“The Caisson Song”). He later had a very successful high-school career as first chair/lead Alto Sax at Crosby-Ironton High School in the Concert, Symphonic and Stage (Jazz) Bands and received multiple awards at District and State competitions for Solos and Ensembles. During his final year in High School, he joined the Brainerd Community College Jazz Ensemble and was acknowledged as a United States National Band Awards Winner. Although "life" kept him from joining a band for several years, Tom continued in music by playing at church with the Bell Choir, performing with his Alto Sax, and writing some arrangements for the Bell Choir.  During this time, he was invited to try out and joined the Westwind Swing Band as their Bari Sax player. Recently, "life" again has required Tom to step down from being a full-time member, but he happily performs with the Westwind Swing Band as a substitute Alto Sax player whenever he can.

Trombone

William started playing trombone in the 5th grade in Michigan and continued playing all through middle school, high school and college. In high school, he took private lessons, participated in Solo and Ensemble festivals, full orchestra, and marching band. After high school, William continued playing in college through Michigan Tech's Huskies Pep Band and trombone choir. He was also a member of the staff band as part of the 2017 National Boy Scout Jamboree in West Virginia. After finishing college and moving back to southeast Michigan, William joined several music groups including big bands and community bands. William recently relocated to Minnesota and intends to continue playing trombone as a member of the Westwind Swing Band.