Jeff Aston – lead vocals and trumpet
A founding member of Maxwell, Jeff started singing as a pre-schooler (no joke) and began playing trumpet at age 8. At 15, he began his musical career as a trumpet player and backup singer with Maxwell predecessor, The Soul System. With impressive vocal chops, he emerged to sing lead and co-front Maxwell in 1979. As the band's long-time musical arranger, he produced Maxwell's first two albums, including the local radio hits “Radiation Funk” and “A New Star", co-produced the band’s CD, "Jamaphonic", and most recently produced and mixed The Maxwell Project's 45 vinyl release "Too Much of a Good Thing" and "Living on a Dream" which is currently enjoying airplay and brisk sales in Europe. Today, in addition to being a strong trumpet player and talented arranger, Jeff continues to deliver the powerful, soulful vocals that have been his trademark over the years.
Kathy Matthews Aston (Kat) – lead vocals
Kathy showed vocal talent as early as age six and started her musical career at 18, singing, playing guitar, and recording original music with acoustic duo Matthews & Whitney. In 1980, she landed the lead vocal spot with Maxwell, with whom she recorded an album and performed in concert with The Spinners and Tom Browne. She also had brief stints with R&B band, The Glow, and the Danny Stuber Jazz Quartet. In 1984, Kathy joined Norristown-based funk group Half Moon for several Quebec Canada tours. She was a regular performer in Atlantic City with Top 40 band "Silver Screen" and traveled with the group to Osaka, Japan in the 90s. Kathy has done session work at Power Station, Electric Lady, and Record Plant studios in NYC, and had a “bit part” in the movie “Heart” with Brad Davis. Kathy rejoined Maxwell, now The Maxwell Project, in 2002, appearing with the Stylistics and Philly Intruders for the band’s 2003 NYE concert. She sang on and contributed music and lyrics to TMP’s 2005 CD, “Jamaphonic.”
Vance McGhee - lead vocals and trombone
Vance’s vocals, which shift from a richly textured tenor into a Phillip Bailey-style falsetto, draw fans wherever the band performs. He is well known for his impressive rendition of the Earth, Wind, and Fire classic – “Reasons.” Before joining The Maxwell Project in 2005, he performed with Norristown-based funk powerhouse “The Half Moon Band” followed by his own Top-40 groups, Silver Screen and City Lights Orchestra. He began his career at 18 with Norristown bands The Cashmeres and Aphrodesia, playing trombone and singing backing vocals. Vance’s performing experience includes extensive travel throughout the East Coast, Quebec, and Japan. He was also a regular performer at Caesar’s, Trump Plaza, and Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. Vance played, sang, and contributed music to TMP’s latest CD, “Jamaphonic.”
Corby Myers – guitar and backing vocals
Corby is a founding member of Maxwell and a talented and prolific composer who has written several of the group’s most popular original songs, including the local hit “A New Star.” He has appeared with the group in concert with The Spinners, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, The Stylistics, The Trammps, Philly Intruders, LTD, Cactus, and other R&B legends. Corby was also the guitarist for Liquid Smoke and The Charlie Van Horn Big Band. In addition to his musical talents, he holds a doctorate in adult education and psychoeducational processes, is a published author in his field, and has taught college classes in criminal justice administration. He is an avid runner and has completed over 20 marathons and several 50-mile ultra-marathons and triathlons.
David Sheaffer - bass
David is a 1976 West Chester University Graduate with a BS and Masters Degree in Music Education. He served for 35 years as a Middle School Classroom/Choral Music Educator in Lebanon County. His choral groups received local, state, and national recognition by the PA Music Educators Association and the American Choral Directors Association. He has also served as guest conductor for several choral festivals, most recently for the 2016 Shenzhen International Schools Music Festival Children’s Choir in Shenzhen, China. He currently serves as Tenor Section Leader/Assistant Choir Director at St. James Episcopal Church in Lancaster, PA.
As a bassist/guitarist, David has also played for many local Pop and Jazz groups since graduating from college. He was a founding member of the popular Central PA New Wave band “The Sharks” (‘79-‘81). While spending a year on sabbatical leave living in Nashville, TN in ‘97-‘98, he had the opportunity to play bass for several major record label staff singer/songwriters and to share the stage/studio with some notable musicians who have toured with Country and Pop artists, including The Neville Brothers, Travis Tritt, Oak Ridge Boys, Boz Scaggs, Joe Nichols, and Hall and Oates. In 2020, David joined The Maxwell Project as its principal bassist.
Ben Ninmann - keyboards
Originally from Virginia, Ben came to Pennsylvania by way of North Carolina, Long Island, New York and Flint, Michigan, picking up different rock, soul and jazz influences from each place. His time in Long Island included stints with recording groups, Liquid Smoke, and Alive & Kicking (“Tighter and Tighter”.) In Flint, Ben performed with Nyte Flyte, who eventually moved to Lancaster and were busy in the local music scene during the 80s and 90s. Since then, he has appeared with The Mystery Jazz Trio and has played solo piano at The Greenfield Restaurant for over 20 years. He also fills the piano chair when The Diamonds—whose hits include “Little Darling” and “The Stroll”—play in the area. Ben likes many musical styles but is most fond of playing old-school R&B and soul "from back when the funk was pure," and jazz, particularly in the classic Hammond organ trio setting. Shifting from solo and trio work to a band with a big horn section is a fun challenge for Ben. He enjoys both the similarities and differences that playing with The Maxwell Project brings when compared to the smaller settings.
Todd Fulgenetti – trumpet
Todd is proficient in a wide variety of styles including jazz, rock/funk, classical, theater and many others. In addition to performing with The Maxwell Project and other groups featured at www.toddfulginiti.com, Todd is a freelance artist performing with dozens of groups and as a soloist. Career highlights include "single night" engagements with Ray Charles, Frankie Valli, and Maceo Parker. As a recording artist, Todd has contributed to over a dozen projects both with his own bands and as a guest artist. Across the airwaves and on stages, both professional and student groups, around the country and internationally, continue to perform Todd's arrangements and compositions. As a recently retired public school teacher, Todd spent 25 years teaching elementary general music class and chorus. He is also a philanthropist who supports local charities and organizations focused on fighting climate change.
Richard “Raggs" Renaglia – sax, flute, and backing vocals
Breathing passionately through his saxophone, Raggs has found a steady,
soulful groove as the saxman with the finest musicians around. A veteran of
thousands of live performances as well as hundreds of recording sessions,
he brings a wealth of experience and a dynamic stage presence to The Maxwell Project.
A native of Hershey Pennsylvania, he has traveled in the U.S. and abroad including a four-year stint with the U.S. Air Force Band. He has also performed and recorded with many top performers in the Northeast Atlantic Region, including recording artists "Blitz Dynette."
Robin Church -Trumpet
Born in Dodge City, Kansas, Robin came from a musical family. His grandfather, mother, aunts, uncles, and both brothers all played musical instruments or sang. Robin began piano lessons in kindergarten. Trumpet lessons didn't begin until the ripe old age of 8. His early professional experience included several tours through Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas with the Rural Electric Association, an organ trio. After moving to Central PA, Robin established a reputation as a hired gun, performing with local bands D.C. & Co, The SilverHawks, Johnny Bravo Combo, Dave Holt Band, the Uptown Band, Nitrophonic Orchestra, and the Hershey Big Band. He also recently played trumpet at the Lincoln Center in NYC with the Hershey Symphony Orchestra. Robin played trumpet many years at Lancaster's Dutch Apple Dinner Theater, played both trumpet and keyboards for several years in the orchestra pit at the American Music Theater, and has backed several national recording artists including B.J. Thomas and Li’l Eva (Locomotion).
Andre "Dre" Green - Drums
Andre’ has been playing drums since discovering the instrument as a young child performing in the school marching and stage/concert bands. While stationed in Europe with the military, he performed with various groups. After being discharged, he relocated to Munich Germany and performed with groups spanning genres, from African music to rock. Andre's own band specialized in R&B / New Jack Swing and music of four decades.
He appeared on a popular TV show (Gotschalk ) , Brandy and Ray J (remake of Another Day in Paradise), and also performed in the Munich Germany State theater production "Othello". Andre's experience also includes tours of Europe with various Gospel groups. While performing with his own band “ Basically Black,” famed singer Chris DeBarge (Lady In Red) joined them on stage to perform a song.
Allen Roth - bass
After majoring in music at Lebanon Valley College, Allen started a widely varied music career, touring extensively in the U.S., Europe, and Puerto Rico. As the bassist for Maxwell in the late 70s, he performed on the group’s regional hits, “Radiation Funk” and “A New Star.” In 1980, Allen left Maxwell to join the group Atlantic Crossing, eventually shifting to country music as a member of the Younger Brothers Band, who had two national-chart hits, and “Shucks,” who scored a #1 song on national independent record charts, toured extensively, and drew thousands of fans. As a free-lance bass player, Allen has played for Bob Hope, Phyllis Diller, Robert Goulet, Frankie Avalon, Bobby Rydell, the Platters, and the Smothers Brothers. He appeared with Sally Struthers in the show "Always, Patsy Cline", and shared the stage with such notables as Marie Osmond, Willie Nelson, Wayne Newton, and George Strait.
