Bob Boyce Tenor Sax, woodwinds (2010). Born and raised in Long Island, NY and moving to South Florida in the 1960's. Bob attended the University of South Florida receiving a Bachelor of Arts (Music Education). In those early days he studied saxophone with Mr. James Gross, Sy Pryweller, Neal Bonsanti and Alan Hopper. After graduation Bob began teaching in the Broward County School System. During this period he was very active as a freelance musician.
These experiences were highlighted with performances with jazz bassist Jaco Pastorius and saxophonist Michael Brecker. Enlisting in the Army Band program in 1984 he was stationed at the Army Ground Forces Band (Atlanta, Georgia). Keeping busy composing and arranging for Army Band CD projects and was a feature saxophone soloist. His teaching skills were used regularly in the Atlanta area as a clinician for the Army Band Educational Outreach Programs.
In 2003, following a twenty year career with the Army, Bopalot Music was formed for the purposes of booking bands and musicians, and selling woodwind accessories. During this time he received a graduate assistantship from Georgia State University under the mentorship of Dr. Gordon Vernick and Mace Hibbard, and in 2007 was awarded a Masters in Music (Jazz Studies). Today Bob can be found teaching the woodwinds at Musicology/Newnan.

Cary Brague, Lead tenor, woodwinds (2011)

Don Cornutt, M.D. Trombone (1990). Board Certified in Anesthesiology with a Continuing Qualification Certificate. Also, Board Certified in Pain Management and a contributor to the national written qualifying exam in pain management. Don has backed Natalie Cole, Bob Hope, Tony Bennett, David Sanborn, Dr. John, Burt Bachrach, Julius LaRosa and Maureen McGovern, and he is an alumnus of the Alabama Cavalier and Auburn Knights college dance bands.

Mary Jane Insull, Vocalist (2011)

Stan DeJarnett, Ed.D. Trumpet (1991). Assistant School Superintendent and Director of Curricula. Former band director in high school and then Director of a college jazz program. Stan has performed with Buddy Rich, Bill Watrous, Louis Bellson, and played at the Montreux (Switzerland) Jazz Festival. He is a former music Consultant for Georgia’s Governor’s Honors Program.

Paul Vander Gheystn, Trombone (2010)

Buddy Golson, AIA Trumpet (1985). Major international architectural firm Partner in Charge: Criminal Justice Architecture with projects in forty two states, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Germany. Alumnus of Auburn Concert and Marching Bands, and the Auburn Knights. Buddy spent summers during college performing with road bands Jan Garber and Billy Butterfield. He has played in show bands for Holiday on Ice and Barnum & Bailey Ringling Bros. Circus. He was a member of several military bands while in the Army. Buddy serves as Recording Secretary of the Atlanta Seventeen.

Bob Greenhaw, Tenor Sax (2004) Bob recently retired as Head of Jazz Studies and Instructor of Saxophone at Valdosta State University, concluding 31 years as a music teacher in Georgia. An active music educator, he is a past president of the Georgia chapter of the International Association of Jazz Educators, and is the first recipient of the “Outstanding Jazz Educator in Georgia.” He was the first director of the jazz component of the Governor’s Honors Program. Bob has played with notables including Bob Hope, Anita Bryant, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Rosemary Clooney, Nancy Wilson, Larry Elgart, Charlie Spivak, Dianne Schuur, and others.

Walt Mayfield, Ph.D. Bari Sax/Lead Clarinet (1974). Former mathematics teacher and coach. Retired Associate Superintendent and Comptroller, Atlanta Public Schools. He is a former member of the Third Army Band and an alumnus of the Auburn Knights college dance band. Walt ran his first Peachtree Road Race in 1995 at age 61 and he continues to be active in various sports. He is a church Deacon and a member of the choir and orchestra, and also serves as President of the Atlanta Seventeen.

Dave Martin Lead Trumpet (1997) Computer programmer/analyst for Travelport. Dave spent five years as staff musician at the Sheraton Bal Harbour in Miami Beach. He has worked house bands on Carnival, Norwegian and Sea Escape Cruise Lines. He was once the bugler at Hialeah and Gulfstream Race Tracks. Dave has appeared with Julio Igleseas, Diane Carroll, Dionne Warwick and Smokey Robinson.

Steven Mazzotta, Guitar (2011)

Nat Michelson, Alto Sax, Woodwinds (2011)

Leonardo Palese, Trumpet (2004), Leonardo was born in Italy in 1964. He began playing trumpet at the age of nine under the guidance of his father, a well-known classical piccolo trumpeter. After graduating from a musical conservatory in 1984, he began teaching music to middle school children in Milan. During this period he performed in local night clubs, recorded with various artists and performed on Italian television. Leonardo transferred to Miami in 1990 where he studied with the famous Arturo Sandoval at Florida International University. His musical experience covers a wide genre which includes jazz, Latin and Salsa. He has performed on Haitian television. He married and moved to Atlanta. He has performed throughout the southeast with local groups including Wild Rice, Soul Purpose, Synergy, Uptown Entertainment Band and various Latin ensembles. Leonardo’s recording accomplishments include CDs with Frank Raya, Solutions, Sunny Emory and Maurizio Petrelli.

Dick Prange Bass (electric and upright) (2010) Dick Prange, a native of Memphis, Tennessee, began his musical journey on piano at age eight. Surviving three years on “neighborhood piano” led to rebellion and a move to clarinet (the “Death Stick” ). Upon entering junior high, Dick began working his way through lower woodwinds, leading to tenor sax in high school and alto sax/clarinets/ electric bass in college at the University of Mississippi. In 1967 he enlisted in the Third Army Band in Atlanta which was followed by a two year, all expenses paid trip to the Far East as a member of the US Army Headquarters Japan Band.
Returning to Atlanta in 1970, Dick began working with quartets to big bands for corporate functions and private events. He has backed Susan Anton, George Burns, Vic Damone, Bob Hope, and Tom Jones.
Dick Prange joined the Atlanta 17 in 1987, and has recently rejoined the band for the third time in twenty two years. He is excited to be with the band again and exclaims “These are some of the finest, most talented, and experienced big band musicians to be found anywhere”! Dick’s day gig is Senior Facility Manager for a data center, which supports his music habit . . .

Dr. Rich Roeske, Drums (2011)

Fritz Siler Trombone (2003). Fritz is a retired band director and retired 1st Sergeant of the 151st Alabama Army National Guard Band. He was a member of the Auburn Knights Orchestra while attending Auburn University, and will serve the group as President 2005-2007. He is actively involved in the Georgia Association for Jazz Education, serving as the jazz clinic coordinator since 1991 and is also a Past-President of the organization. Now retired fron teaching, Fritz enjoys going fly-fishing whenever possible. Fritz is the Business Manager of the Seventeen.

Mary Sue Taylor Pianist (2010). Mary Sue has performed in the Atlanta area for many years playing all styles of music. She plays with the Atlanta Seventeen, and is well-experienced in a variety of styles of music includeing swing, jazz, oldies, classical, and beach/rock. She has performed with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra, the Atlanta Symphony and many shows including Judy Garland, Red Skelton, Count Basie and others. The Atlanta Seventeen features her on dance engagements and concerts along with many talented musicians in the band.

Graham Thomas Lead Alto Sax (1963). Southeastern representative of one of the world’s largest, upscale mens clothing manufacturers headquartered in Montreal, Canada. Graham attended Julliard. At a very young age he was a member of the band that backed Charlie McCarthy and Edgar Bergen. Graham played with the Urbie Green Orchestra in the first Mayport Jazz Festival, and he has worked with noted jazz arranger and alternate leader of the former Tonight Show Band, Tommy Newsome. He has backed Toni Tennille of Captain and Tennille, and he is an alumnus of the Auburn Knights college dance band. Graham dedicated his solo on My Ship to his refurbished 1955 Chris-Craft. Graham serves as Vice President of the Seventeen.

Cecil Wilder Trombone ( 1997) Executive Director of Georgia Music Educators Association. retired after thirty years as a high school band director in Columbus, GA and Jonesboro, GA. Adjunct assistant professor of applied brass at Auburn University and Columbus (GA) College. Cecil is a graduate of Auburn University and an alumnus of the Auburn Knights Orchestra. He has done post graduate work at Columbus College, Georgia State University and Northwestern University. He has also worked as a performer with various jazz and show orchestras including principal trombonist with the Columbus (GA) Symphony Orchestra. Cecil was conductor, music director and arranger for the Miss Georgia Scholarship Pageant from 1969-1985. Cecil is the current Treasurer of The Atlanta Seventeen.

John Wilson Trumpet (2010). John’s performing credits are many and diverse. With more that 35 years of professional musical experience in a variety of styles and settings, his playing includes everything from big band jazz to brass quintet, and from opera orchestra to Broadway tour. Nearly 10 years of military band experience in the U.S. Army (1975-1985) has taken him throughout Europe, including later performance travels to Russia and Kazahkstan in 1991. He joined the Augusta Symphony Orchestra, Augusta Pops Orchestra and the Augusta Opera Orchestra in 1985. John holds a BA in Music with a minor in Art from Augusta State University (1991) and a Master of Music in Jazz Arranging/Composition from Georgia State University (1994). He is certified K-12 in music and in ESL (English as a Second Language). His most influential classical trumpet teachers include Martin Berimbaum and Mark Hughes (ASO). On the jazz side of the street he studied jazz with the late Bobby Burgess (formerly with the Stan Kenton Orchestra), Bunky Green (University of Chicago) and Dr. Gordon Vernick (Georgia State University). Mr. Wilson currently resides in Cherokee County and teaches elementary music for Cobb County Schools at Green Acres Elementary, in Smyrna, GA, since 1996.

Rudy Wilson Trrombone (2011)