The Members of the Excelsior Band come from diverse occupational background and all are highly touted in the Mobile area for their many years of musical contributions throughout the city.


 

Hosea London, leader and manager of the Excelsior Band, is a graduate of Mississippi Valley State University with a B. S. in Music Education. Mr. London retired from the Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation. He is currently employed by the Moss Point (MS) School System as a band teacher. He has taught private music lessons in Mobile and Huntsville, AL, grant programs in Pensacola, FL and taught in the Memphis City School System. Hosea’s total existence is related to his love for music. He has played along the Gulf Coast and Southeast United States.

Hubert Stanfield is a talented pianist and saxophonist who performs throughout the gulf coast with various artists.  He is a graduate of Alabama State University and after a short stint at teaching, took a job with the United States Postal Service.  Hubert has been a member of the Excelsior Band for many years and continues to provide a combination of Dixieland style and jazz solos to the band.  He also plays locally with the E. B.  Coleman Orchestra and C. T. Jazz Ensemble.

Robert Petty is the senior member of the band.  A graduate of Morehouse College, Mr. Petty is a retiree of the United States Postal Service.  His love and enjoyment of music is evident in the vibrant sounds of his trombone as he swings to the beat of the Excelsior Band.  Mr. Petty plays lead trombone with the E. B. Coleman and the C. T. Jazz Ensemble. 

Theodore Arthur plays the tenor, alto and soprano saxophones and shares a wealth of experience and expertise with the band.  Theodore attended Florida A& M University before leaving to travel the world with Bobby Blue Bland and B. B. King.  Theodore is renown throughout the Gulf Coast for this one-man band show, which displays his artistry as a versatile saxophonist and vocalist.

Charles Hall’s tuba is the heart and soul of the Excelsior Band.  Charles is a classical trained tuba player who graduated from Jackson State University with a music education degree.  He has a unique talent of being able to play with the Excelsior Band, The Mobile Pops Band and brass ensemble music.  His playing style and endurance has no rival on the brass band circuit.  Charles is employed with the Prichard (AL) Housing Authority. 

James Matthews plays bass drum and occasionally electric bass with the band.  “Noon”, as he is commonly called has marched the streets of Mobile and displayed the “Excelsior Band” sign for many years.  “Noon” has played with local legends including Fred Wesley and Edward Pratt. He continues to march during parades and plays the bass drum that distinguishes the Excelsior beat.

Marion Ward exemplifies the epitome the of a Dixieland trombonist.  His sweet, smooth tone and improvisational talent identifies him as one of the best trombone players in the area.  Marion graduated from Alabama State University with a degree in Music Education.  He retired from the Mobile County Public School System after establishing himself as a successful music educator at Booker Washington Middle School, Toulminville High School and John LeFlore High School.

Leon Rhoden keeps the Excelsior Band moving with the distinguishing rat-a tat-tat of the snare drum.  Leon plays throughout the city with various performers.  He is the drummer with the E. B. Coleman Orchestra and the C. T. Jazz Ensemble.  He also plays the drum set with the Excelsior Band for sit-down performances.  Leon is employed by the Mobile County Public School System.

Ray Packer is a Central High School graduate where he perfected the art of producing the ideal saxophone tone.  Ray plays soprano clarinet with the band and is also the regular saxophonist with the group “Hot Wire”.  Ray also performs as needed with various jazz and blues artists in the Mobile area.

Joe Morris is well known throughout the Mobile area a leader of the “The Men of Distinction” Band.  Joe has played and continues to play tenor saxophone with the band for many years.  Joe is employed by Sears and has been employed as a clothier with several department and specialty stores in Mobile. 

James Moore is a native Mobilian, a graduate of Mobile County Training School and Michigan State University.  James lived in the state of Michigan for many years before retiring from General Motors and returning to Mobile.  James plays soprano sax with the Excelsior Band and also performs as a solo act and disc jockey for various special events.