The Laverne Sisters are a 1940's style close harmony group consisting of Nonnie, Gaynor, and Leenie who are all graduates of the the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. On realising their shared passion for the music of the 40's they decided to form an Andrews Sisters sound combined with western swing and Jump Jive. To add to the line up brother Simon provides exceptional guitar and mandolin skills along with talented swing drummer Dr Mark who accompanies the group for the larger gigs. In addition, the quintet are lucky enough to be lead by charismatic Pete Riley on vocals and double bass, nationally recognised as one of the leading frontmen.
Biographies
Pete Riley (Vocals, Guitar, Bass)
Pete Riley, the front man of the former Winchesters and nationally successful Swing Commanders started singing and playing the guitar with friends at school and has not stopped ever since. With his mass of experience Pete can wow any crowd as a front man with his exceptional voice, personality and stage presentation. From being very young Pete dreamed of making his living from what he does best and the last few years has seen him transform into one of the most popular and charismatic front men on the jive and country circuit.
Opting to challenge himself on bass with this group it does not compromise his vocals in any way and having been introduced to Nonnie, Leenie and Simon through Gaynor it has opened the door to re-live the standard western swing line up he has listened to and loved for so many years and, as a huge Andrews Sisters fan what could be more perfect? Whatever disputes the band has musically, Pete always gets his own way in the end.
Leenie Laverne (Lead Vocals, Violin, Piano)
Talented multi-instrumentalist Leenie Laverne grew up surrounded by talent and it was inevitable that she would follow suit. After obtaining a degree in music at the University of Sheffield, Leenie continued her studies like her sisters at the Royal Northern College of Music, where she completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Performance. She has performed in a wide variety of musical settings including orchestras, jazz big-band, choirs, and ceilidh bands.
When she isn't strutting her stuff on stage as the lead female singer in the Lavernes, time is taken up teaching violin & piano combined with performing regularly with numerous string quartets for weddings & other events. She has been known to record with various bands & songwriters, and has freelanced with a number of prestigious orchestras. Featuring on vocal, violin and piano Leenie is the cheeky, flirtatious face of the band and when there's a party to be had you can bet she's at the heart of it!
Nonnie Laverne (Vocals, Violin, Piano)
Nonnie Laverne, the cheeky little redhead sings middle harmonies in the trio and is also a classically trained violinist, violist and pianist. From an early age, Nonnie was exposed to many different genres of music, thanks to her parents who are both musicians. When her father gave her a gramophone and a stack of 78 records as a gift one day, her fascination with the 1920s, 30s and 40s was soon ignited.
Nonnie has had a colourful and prosperous artistic education, with both a degree from the Royal Northern College of Music and a Diploma in Costume design to boast about! She has played and recorded for many ensembles over the years, in the fields of classical, pop and jazz, and made numerous appearances on various cruise liners and television shows. With 'so many strings to her bow' (pardon the pun!) and such an adoration for 40s beats, red lipstick and peep toed shoes, it was inevitable that she would go on to join her sisters in what would prove to become her dream job!
Gaynor Laverne (Vocals, Violin, Piano, Bass, Accordian)
As the youngest sister Gaynor had to live up to high musical expectations following in the footsteps of the rest of the family. After 2 years of untrained piano bashing her parents decided to send her to lessons for some peace! The violin training came shortly after. Gaynor played music with just about anyone that would have her on any instrument thrown her way and her dance training by her mother gave her confidence and stage craft.
After leading and playing concertos with various local orchestras and competing in many national competitions Gaynor went to Music College in Manchester with Nonnie and Leenie and, shortly after joined the Swing Commanders (successful UK swing band). Always rising to a challenge she recently entered into the Texas state fiddle championship in Hallettsville, Texas whilst 6 months pregnant. Showing her skills on piano, violin and vocal she also plays piano accordion and bass in the group and loves to arrange the songs. Gaynor is the driving force in the band. When there's a tea break to be had she'll always be the one to spoil the fun! 'Back to work!'
Simon Laverne (Vocals, Guitar, Mandolin)
Music has been the centre of Simon's life from the day he was born, being introduced to the mandolin and guitar by his father at the age of 6. As a child, his family bluegrass band 'Grass Roots' gave him early experience and he later came first at the prestigious Edale Bluegrass festival. After winning the next two years following he was banned from entering to make way for other musicians!
To date Simon has played with numerous bands including, 'Lapwing', 'The Bob McKinlay Band', 'The Nicky James Trio', 'Painted Pony' and finally 'Broadcaster' and as an extremely versatile musician Simon loves to play and listen to any genre of music. His career has taken him to Texas, The Middle East, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, France and Belgium where he played at the prestigious Chet Atkins National Guitar Pickers Festival. What can we say? Simon does a great job playing, singing and doing the sound and, looking after his sisters is paramount!