The Hip Pocket specializes in high energy R&B, mixing the burning sounds of Tower of Power, Earth, Wind and Fire, and Chicago with cutting edge horn arrangements and exceptional musicianship and professionalism. The Hip Pocket has entertained for over twenty-eight years and has opened for artists such as the Four Tops, The Temptations, Here Come the Mummy's and Patti LaBelle.
Phil Marsh – Guitar, Vocals, Bandleader
Phil Marsh attended the Guitar Institute of Technology after studying music in college. Phil is band leader of The Hip Pocket and writes most of the arrangements for the band.
James Bates – Lead Vocals
James Bates, along with Phil, has been there since the band’s inception. He has earned his definitive reputation as a male vocalist with the best groups in West Michigan for over 25 years. He has the natural ability to develop a rapport with audiences everywhere.
Cindy Shedd – Lead Vocals
Cindy has worked with various groups in West Michigan and brings her high energy style a vocal ability to the female vocal position in the Hip Pocket. She's a great addition to the band filling out harmony parts and lead vocal parts.
Chris Bardolph – Bass
Chris has grown up around music and bands. He has played for various groups in the Grand Rapids area. His solid, aggressive playing is always on display.
Paul Lesinski – Keyboards
Paul Lesinski fills out the keyboards with funky organ to lush string parts. Paul’s exceptional ability has made him one of the most sought after keyboard players in West Michigan.
Mark Weymouth – Drummer
West Michigan drummer Mark Weymouth is one of the hardest working players in the area. He has kept busy playing jazz, top forty and church gigs along with teaching at Grace Bible College. A rock solid player with the ability to cover the most difficult music The Hip Pocket preforms.
Jim Hayward – Tenor Sax
While serving in the US Navy, Jim was assigned to numerous bands and performed in all saxophone positions, doubling on flutes and clarinets as required. At the conclusion of his 28 year military tenure, he was the lead alto player for the US Navy Band Commodores (the Navy’s official jazz big band) in Washington, DC. Recognized as one of the finest jazz saxophonists around, Jim has appeared nationally and internationally in concert with the Temptations, Rosemarie Clooney, Natalie Cole, and Jazz Cruise appearances with Frank Capp’s Juggernaught Band. He is featured on numerous recordings, including his own album, “Coronado Sands”. While residing in South Florida, Jim performed regularly with a number of South Florida’s finest musical organizations, including Peter Graves Orchestras, the Bob Hoose Big Band, and the Palm Beach Pops. Since moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan, Jim has had the good fortune to perform with the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra, and the Gull Lake Jazz Orchestra.
Luke Marlowe – Trombone
Luke is a graduate of Western Michigan University and teaches music and Comstock Park Middle School.
Mike Truszkoski - Trumpet
Mike Truszkoski has been the bands trumpet player since graduating from Central Michigan University, except for a short two year break. Being the toughest spot in the band he is one of the few players who can cover the trumpet spot for an entire gig. He is currently the band director at Spring Lake High School and is a truly exceptional player.
Gary McCourry - Saxophonist
Gary served as a military musician for 23 years as the baritone saxophonist in the West Point Jazz Knights Big Band.
McCourry holds a Bachelor of Music degree with majors in Applied Saxophone, Music Education, and Jazz Studies from Western Michigan University, where he studied saxophone with Trent Kynaston. He also holds a Master of Music degree from Indiana University with majors in Jazz and Woodwinds. While at IU he studied saxophone with the renowned Dr. Eugene Rousseau. During his time in the West Point Band, he studied with jazz baritone saxophonists Nick Brignola and Gary Smulyan of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.
Gary performs on Alto and Baritone Saxophone with Hip Pocket. He has always been inspired by the great horn bands, such as Tower of Power, Chicago, and Blood Sweat and Tears to name a few. Gary says, “I especially get a kick out of playing the Hip Pocket arrangements of Tower of Power charts. TOP has always been one of my favorite groups, and I enjoy belting out the baritone saxophone lines of Doc Kupka.” When not playing with Hip Pocket, Gary performs with several other area groups, including the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra, Lansing Symphony Jazz Orchestra, Truth in Jazz Orchestra, Gull Lake Jazz Orchestra, River City Big Band, Rhythm Section Jazz Band, Hark Up Big Band and Kalamazoo Big Band, as well as occasional performances for pops concerts with the Grand Rapids, Battle Creek, Kalamazoo and West Michigan Symphonies. He also enjoys performing as a woodwind specialist with the Grand Rapids Civic and Circle Theatres.
Paul Andre – Sound Engineer
The band would not be complete without soundman Paul Andre. He monitors the wireless gear, he keeps the sound thumpin’, and even adds some background vocals on occasion too.