Member Profiles – JA

Scott Kettering

Scott spent most of his life in Pennsylvania, growing up in the south central area near Hershey, and then teaching middle school band in the Pocono Mountains area. He has a B.S. degree in Music Education and a Master of Music in performance, both from West Chester University (PA).

Scott has been involved with music most of his life. His first memory of music was listening to Glenn Miller records that his dad would play on a Sunday afternoon. About the same time, he would play his mom’s 45 of Betty Hutton singing “Orange Colored Sky” over and over until he could sing all the words.

On his current music playlist would be anything from the Big Band Era, with Si Zentner’s version of “Up A Lazy River” at the top. Scott’s interests have included antique cars, cycling, skiing and snowboarding. He plays in several bands in Sarasota and New Jersey, where he spends his summers. He frequently travels to new places with his partner, Lance.

Mary Gibbons

Mary graduated from Indiana University of PA where she was a graduate assistant in bassoon performance. She taught high school band and chorus for over 30 years in the Butler and Arm- strong school districts. Mary also taught Bassoon majors and assisted teaching the woodwinds two classes at Slippery Rock University of PA. She played in the faculty woodwind quintets at both Slippery Rock and Clarion Universities. Mary has performed with Butler County Symphony Orchestra, Musicians Concert Band, Kittanning Community Band, Blairsville Community Band, Indiana Pops, Undercroft Opera Company in Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Philharmonic Orchestra. She and her husband, Kevin, are co-leaders of the Gibbons Big Band.

Since becoming a snowbird in Bradenton, Mary’s musical activities include Music Director at Horseshoe Cove RV Park, and playing in the Suncoast Concert Band, Suncoast Jazz Ambassadors (saxophone), Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble and the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra.

Len Murphy

Len was born and raised in Philadelphia, and upon graduation from Central High School in1952, enlisted in the US Navy and served in fleet bands on clarinet and saxophone until 1955 when he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a professional career in music. After a stint on the road with the Les Elgart Orchestra, he found his calling in education and received an M.A. in Music Education from California State University at Los Angeles. After four years teaching instrumental music in Glendale, CA, Len returned to his native Pennsylvania to accept a music position in Bala Cynwyd JHS in Lower Merion School District, where he served for 30 years, retiring in l995. In the Philadelphia area he founded the North Penn Symphony Orchestra and served as music director/conductor for 30 years, retiring in 2002.

Moving to Sarasota in 2007, Len joined the Suncoast Concert Band on bassoon and subsequently the Jazz Ambassadors on saxophone. He also plays bassoon with (and conducts) the Anna Maria Island Orchestra and with the Sophisticated Swing dance band. For fitness and health, he participates annually in a MS bike tour in New Jersey and competed in triathlons from 1985 to 2002.

Stephanie Peshek

Stephanie started playing piano at the age of 8. She accompanied multiple choral groups in high school and played bells in the marching band at Mayfield High School in Ohio in her senior year. She pursued a dual major in English and pharmacy, and graduated from Ohio Northern Universi- ty with a B.S. degree. While working as a hospital pharmacy administrator in several Ohio hospitals, she received her M.B.A. in healthcare administration from Cleveland State University and Pharm.D degree from Idaho State University.

After encouraging her children to pursue music in the Cleveland Music School Settlement, Cleveland Contemporary Youth Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra and many music camps, she responded to a flyer seeking adult beginner band musicians for the New Horizons Band. A co-worker had an alto sax for sale, and Stephanie fell in love with the saxophone.

After moving to Florida to become a pharmacy professor at LECOM Bradenton School of Pharmacy, she earned a Masters in Medical Education degree from LECOM and plays in 4 or 5 bands at any given time on baritone, tenor, alto and soprano sax or piano.

John Gunkler

John first learned the trumpet before 5th grade in the Midland MI public schools. He played in the high school concert band and orchestra, a French horn octet, and a 16-piece dance band, then put down his instrument after freshman year in college and didn’t pick it up again for 34 years. John studied astrophysics at the U. of Michigan, mathematics at Reed College and educational psychology in graduate school at the U. of Minnesota. He ran his own management consulting business for 30+ years. Then he again took up his trumpet and studied with Gary Bordner, principal trumpet of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. “That was in 1999 and I’ve played nearly every day since to try to recapture my abilities.”

In 2007 John and his wife, Carolyn, moved to Sarasota where he also subs with the Sarasota Jazz Project big band and the Suncoast Concert Band. During the summer he performs in New England with the Seacoast Wind Ensemble and the Exeter Community Band (which celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2022). “I play for the satisfaction of performing good music well and for the camaraderie of making music with friends.”

Kevin Gibbons

Kevin and his wife, Mary, reside in Bradenton and in North Apollo, PA. Kevin attended Clarion State Teacher’s College in PA in the 1970’s as a Music Major and has been playing trumpet for 57 years. Kevin is a retired Police Officer, Firefighter and EMT in PA with 53 years of service. He currently performs in PA with the Kittanning Firemen’s Marching and Concert bands, joining the band in 1975, and as Director for 15 years. He plays with the Musicians Concert Band, in Butler PA, and the Armstrong County Concert Band. Kevin and his wife head up their own 16 piece swing band named the Gibbons Big Band. He also has attended the Williamsburg Music Consortium, Williamsburg VA, playing trumpet and vocals since 2012. In 2015, Kevin sounded taps, at the conclusion of the Candlelight service at the National Police Memorial Service in Washing- ton D.C. In Florida, Kevin performs with the Suncoast Concert Band, the Suncoast Jazz Ambassadors and Scott Stanton groups (Barry and the Boomers and Tijuana Taxi).

Lee Butts

Lee lives in Atlanta, Georgia, and spends winters on Anna Maria Island with his wife, Linda—a flutist he met while they were both members of the University of Georgia Redcoat Band. His musical journey began during college, performing at Six Flags Over Georgia and directing the Crystal Pistol pit orchestra for over 300 shows each season. These early experiences paved the way for a tour with the Air Force Band of the West and later, the Georgia Air National Guard Band.

A graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in Management Information Systems, Lee went on to a dynamic career in technology marketing and implementation. His work spanned the launch of groundbreaking innovations, including the first personal computers, BlackBerry mobile devices, and telecommunications networks.

In Atlanta, Lee stays musically active by performing with the Northwinds Symphonic Band, the Atlanta Trombone Ensemble, and the Venue Jazz Orchestra. While enjoying Florida’s Gulf Coast during the winter months, he performs with the Suncoast Concert Band, the Jazz Ambassadors, and the Venice Concert Band. He also proudly marched as Drum Major for the Second Time Arounders Marching Band.

Marvin Luckett

Marvin, a native of Harpers Ferry WV, began playing trombone in 1951 in his high school band. After high school he joined the Army and served as a trombonist and drum major in the 356th and 75th Army Bands. He attended the U.S. Naval School of Music along with other Army personnel and graduated in 1957. He later received a BA in Music Education from Shepherd University and an MA in Education from James Madison University and taught music in Virginia for 37 years. He performed in the Hagerstown MD Municipal Band and in The Stonewall Brigade Band.

After retirement in 2000 he and his wife Faye moved to Bradenton. He tutored band students in Manatee County for 10 years and plays in 9 local bands. He also studied bagpipe with Roddy MacDonald for 12 years.

Becky Guth

Becky began studying piano and flute in elementary school in Hilliard OH. By the time she reached 7th grade she wanted to quit. During the summer her band director taught her how to play a trombone, and she returned to 8th grade as a trombonist. A retired clinical pharmacy instructor, she is a graduate of the Ohio State University College of Pharmacy and met her husband-to-be in an OSU band. She played in the Columbus Women’s Symphony, Hilliard Community Band, Worthington Civic Band and Greater Columbus Concert Band. Currently, she serves as music librarian for Windjammers, Jazz Ambassadors, Suncoast, Hilliard, Manatee & Sarasota Concert Bands. In 1998 while working as a night pharmacist at the OSU Medical Center, she had a pulmonary embolism. She was in the right place medically, but the doctors could not keep her lungs open. She used breathing techniques she learned from her music teachers to force air through the narrowed lung passages and was able to survive the episode. In her own words, “I was saved by the Bone.”

Eric Guth

From Columbus, Ohio, Eric and his wife Becky met at a sight-reading clinic at Ohio State. Neither planned on music as a career, but after a year of engineering school, Eric returned to OSU where he earned a degree in instrumental music education. Eric played in The OSU Concert Band, Trombone Choir, Marching Band and Jazz Ensemble and got to perform at the Montreux Jazz Festival and the Orange Bowl. He is a retired General Motors Tool & Die Maker.

In addition to the Suncoast Concert Band, he plays in the Jazz Ambassadors, Manatee Concert Band, Sarasota Concert Band, and Manatee Swing Band. They have two sons, both musicians and three grandchildren, two girls and a boy.

Scott Stanton

Keith Carmen

Keith came to Sarasota in 1997 from Kalamazoo MI where he was a computer software designer and manager for 25 years. He has played piano/keyboard with combo bands and big bands for over 60 years. Keith was a double-major at Michigan State University, in music and mathematics. Keith played lower brass, marching a sousaphone at the football games, tuba in the concert band, and trumpet in the pep bands. Through high school and college, Keith also played the upright bass with Michigan area jazz groups.

Keith is currently active in the Sarasota area with several local groups. He and his wife, Nancy, also entertain at the Senior Friendship Center in Sarasota. Keith and Nancy have 2 sons, in Kalamazoo MI, Fort Wayne IN, and a daughter in St. Pete. They have 5 grandchildren.

Ed Stiles

Ed was born and raised in Struthers, Ohio where his love of music began at an early age playing and singing with his mother in their family church. Ed was a member of every musical ensemble his high school offered, both band and choir. He then went on to the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio where he received his BS in Music Education. Later he received his Masters Degree from VanderCook School of Music, in Chicago IL. Ed was a 31 year Music Educator in Ohio, where he taught band, choir, marching band, jazz band, pep band, music history and theory. His ensembles received State Superior ratings in both concert and marching band while under his tenure. After retiring to Florida in 2012 with his wife Sandy, Ed continued teaching beginning band at The Out-of-Door Academy part time and became Director of Music Ministry at Northminster Presbyterian Church.

Since moving to Sarasota, Ed has become a member of the Sarasota Bradenton Pops Orchestra, Suncoast Concert Band, Jazz Ambassadors and has played with the Suncoast Brass Quintet, the Manatee and Venice Concert bands and the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble.

Drew Trapani

Dr. Drew Trapani grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. His family life was immersed in music from birth. His father was one of the busiest professional trombonists in Chicago. His three siblings all became professional musicians. He and his brother organized a big band in high school and played dances and shows every weekend. Many of these early band members continued music careers, the most notable starting the band “Chicago”. Drew chose a different path. Though his passion for music never waned, he used his musical talents as a professional drummer (he was Dick Sarlo’s drummer for 30 years) to pay for 10 years of college studying biology at Loyola of Chicago, Dentistry at the University of Illinois and Orthodontics at Loyola.

He served as a Captain (base orthodontist) in the US Army Dental corps. Drew practiced or- thodontics in Elgin, Illinois for 45 years, retiring in 2016. He and his wife Pam have had a “snowbird” home in Sarasota the last 13 years and became full time Siesta Key residents in 2017. He joined the Suncoast Concert Band in 2017 and very much enjoys the quality of musicianship in this organization. Drew also plays in the Venice Concert Band, the Manatee Concert Band, the Jazz Ambassadors, the Suncoast Swing Band, the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble and many other musical groups in the area.

Sherm Lyke

A career teacher and musician, Sherm taught instrumental music in the Grand Island Central School District in Western New York for 48 years – the first 33 as a full-time teacher, and the final 15 as a retired substitute in Instrumental Music.

As a student, Sherm has played in bands with Doc’ Severinsen, Urbie Green, George Roberts, and Roy Burns. However, his most influential experience came as a 17 year old student when he had the opportunity to “trade fours” with jazz legend Clark Terry, on stage at Kleinhans Music Hall (the home of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra) in concert with his high school jazz ensemble.

As a performer, Sherm was a member of Locals 92 and 219 of the AF of M, playing commercially as both a classical and jazz musician. These included seasons of performance with the Buffalo Brass Quintet (founding member,) Orchard Park Symphony, Amherst Symphony, the Gus Broncato Orchestra, and the Alex Rene Big Swing Band. Sherm was a trumpeter at Buffalo’s Melody Fair during the 1970’s and early 80’s, performing for such varied artists as the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Johnny Mathis, and the Spinners. After retiring to Lakewood Ranch with his wife, Barbara, in 2021, Sherm has found a happy performance home with the Suncoast Concert Band and Jazz Ambassadors.

Alex Meisner

Alex Meisner hails from Stamford Connecticut. Alex learned trumpet playing in school bands at Sarasota high school class of 1979, including Andy Wrights Admirals stage band. He played in the USF big band in Tampa in 1981-82 and in the local area such as the at Players Theatre. He is a United Airlines Captain and hopes to retire in 2025 and return to playing music.

Stan Solomons

Stan was born and raised in the New York area. He studied clarinet with Leon Russianoff in High School and went on to Boston University to receive his Bachelor of Music in clarinet. His teachers in Boston included Gino Cioffi on clarinet and Felix Viscuglia on bass clarinet, both members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. After earning his undergraduate degree he returned to the New York area and received his MA in Music from New York University.

Stan taught instrumental music and was a Band Director in the New York City Public Schools, eventually accepting a position as Band Director in the Fair Lawn Public Schools in New Jersey. During his tenure in New Jersey, he returned to school for a second MA in Educational Supervision and Administration accepting a position in the Fair Lawn Schools as District Music Supervisor, which he held for the last 20 years of his career.

Stan and his wife Irva retired to Sarasota in 2010. In addition to playing in the Suncoast Band, Stan also performs with the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble.

Julie Ketchum

Julie is no stranger to the stage. Following SUNY Potsdam, where she studied voice, she performed with Rochester, NY based Nik and the Nice Guys for 20 years on and off. She’s currently snowbirding, but has spent the past decade singing with Uptown Groove also in Rochester, NY. When she’s here she loves singing in duos and performing with the Jazz Ambassadors!

Mel Davis

Prior to relocating to Lakewood Ranch in April 2019, we lived in San Diego County for 45 years. During that time I participated in several musical organizations including: concert bands, wind ensembles, big band/jazz band and sax quartets. In addition, I had the opportunity to perform in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. I also performed with pit bands in Orange/Los Angeles County and even recorded at Disney Studios.

Since moving to Manatee/Sarasota Counties I’ve had the honor to rehearse and perform with: Manatee Community Concert Band (alto/tenor sax and drum kit), Suncoast Concert Band (tenor sax), Sarasota Concert Band (baritone sax), Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble (baritone sax), Sarasota Jazz Project (alto/tenor sax) and the Manasota Saxophone Quartet (baritone sax). I’m continually amazed at the level of musical talent in the area and look forward to many more years of following my love of music.

Mark Eiser

I was born and raised in Schenectady, NY, and attended South Colonie Schools near Albany. I had the privilege of learning from Mr. Henry Carr, my band director, who greatly influenced my career. I went on to study at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam and taught instrumental music in public schools for 37 years. A highlight of my career was having my band selected to march at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, just after the Miracle on Ice—what an unforgettable experience!

In retirement, I reorganized and conducted the Rotterdam Town Band for 16 years. I also taught Brass Techniques at a local community college and served as a ceremonial bugler with Bugles Across America, performing Taps at Veteran internments.

As a performer, I was contracted as a section player with orchestras that backed up many leading entertainers of the day at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) in Saratoga, NY.  I also had the good fortune to perform with the Philadelphia Orchestra on two occasions. The main body of my performance career was performing with big band jazz ensembles, club, ethnic and event bands.