About the Band
The Bewitching Band is a collective of professional musicians in Nashville, TN – all of whom are either first call session players, successful studio owners, University faculty, or some combination of the three. While some listed here are “founding members” (as noted), your ears and soul will be blessed to catch any of the following in-demand players on one of our gigs!
NOTE: In an effort to keep this page brief yet informative, the names of the countless major artists these guys have worked with - from Garth Brooks to Aretha Franklin to Wynton Marsalis and beyond – are generally not mentioned specifically here. Except for Prince. Because Prince is, well… Prince.
STEPHEN KUMMER: Piano/Bandleader (founding member)
Emmy award-winning and Grammy-nominated pianist, conductor and composer; has played with numerous major symphonies and Broadway productions across the U.S.; serves on the piano faculty at Travecca Nazarene University
KELLI COX: Piano/Bandleader
First-call live and session pianist in Nashville; has taught at multiple Universities; heads up her own musical collaborative and basically does whatever she wants now (yeah, girl!)
JEFF COX: Bass (founding member)
Director of commercial music division at Travecca Nazarene University; often shares the stage with country and gospel legends, and played on many of their award-winning recordings.
BRAD ALBIN: Bass
Top session player; long-time member of Grammy-nominated band The Time Jumpers. He also likes pancakes. And beer. But typically not in the same meal.
BOB MATER: Drums
First-call session player for decades in Nashville; a local legend in his own time.
NICK PALMER: Guitar (founding member)
Toured extensively in the U.S. and Europe with recording artist Paul Bogart; the first guitar major to receive a Master’s degree in guitar performance through Belmont University – guitar faculty at Belmont University.
BOB ANGELLO: Guitar
Owner/Founder of Angello Sound Studio, now in Mt. Juliet, TN; has played for/engineered CMA-award winning artists for decades (a true master on steel guitar); will also take you fishing on his boat.
VINNIE CICIELSKI: Trumpet (founding member)
Top session player with over 6,000 recordings for major artists; work includes 50 Grammy-nominated and 25 Grammy-winning recordings, and dozens of Stellar and Dove award-winning recordings
MIKE CASTEEL: Trumpet
One of the busiest music copyists around; operates his own Casteel Music Services, as well as services for the Nashville Studio Orchestra; has freelanced as a trumpeter for over two decades on everything from artist and/or film sessions to Broadway shows.
SCOTT HEARN: Trombone (founding member)
Low-brass specialist for the United States Marine Corps for many years; low-brass educator for over a decade; now raising the bar on sessions and shows across the southeast with his exceptional tone and brilliant arrangements.
ROY AGEE: Trombone
Top session player; trombonist for the late musical genius Prince from 2012 until his tragic death in 2016; has recorded with countless major acts; currently Musical Director for Lauren Daigle.
GUS ARNOLD: Saxophone (founding member)
BMI Future Jazz Master winner for original composition Waltz for Denton; recognized by the NEA for his performances at Lincoln Center; now lighting up sessions and stages from Birdland to Birmingham and beyond.
JIMMY BOWLAND: Saxophone
Travels the globe playing, educating and arranging music; beyond Grammy-winning tracks, his credits range from motion pictures to video games and jingles.