Ain’t Misbehavin’ is:
Bill Ash – trumpet, vocals
Bill Ash is a cofounder of the band. His early influences came from listening to his parents’ big band and Dixieland record albums, including the Dukes of Dixieland and the Bearcat Band, back in the day when vinyl was king. He fell in love with the trumpet after hearing their many Herb Alpert and Al Hirt records. Bill’s other early influences include the music of Chicago, Tower of Power, Earth Wind and Fire, and Blood Sweat and Tears. After college, Bill’s love of music brought him to join his high school’s alumni band, where he quickly struck up a friendship with saxophonist Rick McGrath. After years of being nagged to form a jazz band by Rick, the two rediscovered the sounds of Dixieland music, recruited some like-minded friends, and the band was formed in 2005. The band adopted the name Ain’t Misbehavin’ after the first tune they performed together.
Brian Hesselbart – keys
Brian moved to the central Ohio area from Sylvania, Ohio, to attend the Ohio Wesleyan University. After college he taught music in the Buckeye Valley Local School system for 30 years. He has been a church musician for over 35 years, conducting choirs, and playing piano and organ. He was director of the Delaware Community Chorus for nine years.
Rick McGrath – tenor sax, vocals
Born in 1959 Rick started playing the saxophone at age 10. Seeing his passion for music his parents soon got him connected with a gifted musician, Tom Suthers, who had an exceptional career preforming and cutting albums with many of the famous big bands. Rick studied under and was mentored by Tom for 8 years. Rick continued his education of big band at The Ohio State University. The passion lives on where Rick has played and continues to play in concert bands, church bands, big bands, ensembles and orchestras. You will find Rick playing with the Ain’t Misbehavin’ Dixieland Band where he still pursues his dream of playing the Saxophone making music.
Chris Wiet – clarinet, vocals
Chris Wiet’s genuine love for music started his freshman year of high school during his first experience with marching band at Worthington Kilbourne HS, where he played clarinet. Throughout high school, he participated in various exclusive ensembles such as the Central Ohio Regional Orchestra, Columbus Youth Symphonic Band, The Ohio State High School Honor Band, and the Ohio All-State Band. After high school, he decided to pursue a music degree in clarinet performance as part of a double major with mechanical engineering. While there, under the direction of world-renowned mouthpiece maker and clarinet teacher, James Pyne, he performed with the top ensembles at Ohio State, including the Wind Symphony and OSU Symphony Orchestra. In addition, his love for marching band continued as he was also a 5-year member of the Ohio State University Marching Band, playing the mellophone.
After completing his undergraduate degree, Chris decided to pursue a Master’s degree in mechanical engineering, which he completed in Spring 2014. He currently is employed as a mechanical engineer in Solon, Ohio, but still loves performing with various groups on clarinet, saxophone, and mellophone in his spare time
Andy Wolf – trombone, vocals
Carrie Frederick – tuba
Carrie has been playing tuba since 1988. They have performed with large wind ensembles, chamber ensembles, and jazz bands, which have toured nationally and internationally. Carrie studied with Sid Townsend at Capital University’s Conservatory of Music. They graduated from Capital in 1999, earning a BA in Communication with a Minor in Music with a performance emphasis.
Carrie is a founding member of the Brazen Brass quintet, which performs in a number of venues, not always traditional, and appeared at the 2008 International Brass Chamber Music Festival.
Dave McGrath – drums
Ain't Misbehavin' 