The Band

Ruth Minhall - Vocals

Ruth sings the lead vocals and fronts the band. She has been singing solo and with bands for many years, and has a distinctive and enjoyable vocal style.

Andy Whitnell - Bass Guitar

Founder member of Loose Change, Andy also handles all bookings, tour arrangements, general logistics, sound control, band finances, the van etc etc. He's generally the man to speak to.

Andy has been playing with working bands since the 70's and has acquired a wealth of experience and knowledge in all aspects of the music industry. Andy started his musical career with school band "Benn", moving on to Sittingbourne based rock band "Village" in 1975. He also played with dance band "The Peter Burt Quartet" and in the late 70's started playing in "The Jack Whitnell Music", his father's local and well known dance band, with whom he continued until his father's untimely death in 1993. (In 1982 and 1983 he played with The Brian Wales Big Band, a spin-off from the Come Dancing House band). He then spent time playing with jazz band, The Muscrat Ramblers alongside guitarist extraordinaire Bob Pluck.

In his spare time Andy has played with The Medway Dance Orchestra and also been known to play in the orchestra pit for Danny-la-Rue. Determined to continue making people dance, Andy decided to form a soul and blues band in 1997 the result of which is Loose Change.

Paul "Tommy" Trinder - Lead Guitar

Tommy has been playing guitar with the band since it began, and has been playing in bands for over twenty years.

His guitar work is a recognisable and distinctive feature in the band.

Ritchie Swann - Keyboards and Vocals

Ritchie took piano lessons to Grade 7, clarinet to Grade 6 and Theory of Music to Grade 5, and has been playing in bands for 20 years. As well as providing piano, organ, mellotron and synths in concert, he arranges the bulk of the band's material and provides additional vocal harmonies.

John Clark - Drums

John is the youngest member of the band, but has already had many years of experience playing with groups in a variety of different styles.

Leanne Bashford - Saxophone

Leanne is an accomplished saxophonist who can cover tenor, alto and soprano. As well as Loose Change, she regularly performs with the Kent Youth Jazz Orchestra.

Shawn Kissane - Trombone

Originally from York, Shawn moved to London aged 17 to join the Royal Artillery Band in Woolwich. He was appointed principal trombone in 1984, a position he held for more than 20 years.

Shawn has backed many well known recording artists such as Diana Ross, Maria Carey and was the Trombonist in Harry Secombe’s touring orchestra. He currently plays with the Ben Beddoes Big band based in Dartford and of course – Loose Change!