Members

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. He pursued additional studies at Delta State University. Mr. London retired from the Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation and 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 the Memphis (TN) City School System. He is currently the music director for The Jazz Studio, a bi-weekly program teaching and exposing youth to jazz from the Greater Mobile area. Hosea’s total existence is related to his love for music. He has played along the Gulf Coast and Southeast United States. He has been a member consistently since 1975.

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.

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 retired from the Mobile County Public School System.

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.

Carl Cunningham Jr., is a received his undergraduate degree from Jackson State University in Urban Studies, Master’s in Geography and Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration, from the University of Southern Mississippi. Carl began to play the trombone in 5th grade. Carl continued his musical talent at Jackson State University where he was a member of the famous Jackson State University Sonic Boom of the South, Jazz Band, and the Symphonic Band. Carl is currently the Director of Student Support Services at Costal Community College. Carl is an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Danny Mosley, is a smooth classical/jazz trumpeter. At a young age he helped mold beginner musicians in Mobile County as a mentor with the Music & Me Program. Danny is a 1994 graduate of C.F. Vigor High School and carried on his love of music by marching with The Mighty Wolfpack Band. He is a graduate of Jackson State University. While at JSU he performed in various music ensembles including Jazz Band 2, Symphonic Band, Brass Ensemble and the world renowned Sonic Boom of the South. He has performed with various gospel artists, jazz musicians and the E.B. Coleman Orchestra. He is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Danny is a Territory Manager with Hill's Pet Nutrition and has been with the Excelsior Band since 2000.

Ronnie Hunter, a graduate of Miles College, received a B.A. in Music

Performance. He received his M. Ed. in Special Education from the University of West Alabama. Ronnie has been a teacher for the Mobile County Public School System since 2015. He started playing the saxophone in the 6th grade. In high school, he switched to playing the tuba for the Williamson High School Marching Lions. Ronnie then went on to college, playing tuba for the Miles College Purple

Marching Machine. He has currently been a part of the Excelsior Band since 2018 playing the bass drum.

Bradley Cooper, a native of College Station, Texas native, began his musical career as a classically trained pianist under the tutelage of Lilian Duval. Under her guidance, he learned to read music, and cultivate his ear for music and helping him to transition to trumpet. With the teachings of his father and band directors, he received an academic and music scholarship to Jackson State University, where he

was a member of the Sonic Boom of The South marching band as well as the JSU Wind Symphony during concert season. In addition, he was a part of the first ever PRISM concert held at the University, where he and the trumpet choir were featured throughout the program. After receiving his bachelor degree in Civil Engineering, he later moved to Mobile, AL, where he continued to express himself through music while marching, playing, and joining The Excelsior Brass Band.

Sean Thomas, began his musical journey with the piano at an early age under the tutelage of Yvonne Matthews. Mr. Thomas plays multiple

instruments, trombone, tuba, and drums. Mr. Thomas attended Bishop State Community College and Grambling State University majoring in

Music. He was a member of the GSU Marching Tiger Band. He began playing with The Excelsior Band in 2005.

Luquen Cannon is a native of Mobile, Alabama. There he began his musical career as a trained trombonist under the guidance of Louis Coaxum. Mr. Coaxum help cultivate his ear for music. Also, he participated in Music & Me which was a program geared to teach and educate youth on exploring Jazz. This helped him to transition to other instruments. With the teachings of his band directors, he received an academic and music scholarship to Jackson State University, where he was a member of the Sonic Boom of The South marching

band as well as the JSU Jazz Band and different ensembles during concert season. After receiving his bachelor's degree in Education he moved back to Mobile, AL, where he continued to express himself through music while marching, playing with secular review bands, also.

Herbert O. Nelson, III, is an alto saxophonist, who has toured across the United States and abroad. His musical journey includes working as a studio musician on The Ohio Players “Pleasure” album, Alan Barnes of Donald Byrd and The Black Bird, debut album. Herbert has studied with many artists to include Gil Scott Herron, Brian Jackson, and Roy Ayers.

Aaron Covin is a trumpet player, who began playing at an early age. He is the principal trumpet player in the Mobile Symphony Youth Orchestra, and is a member of The Jazz Studio, and Murphy High School Marching Band. Aaron has made Alabama All State Top Band as well as the Alabama State Jazz Band. He has been a member of the Excelsior Band since 2021.