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Here's stuff about the band members!
Keith Rocco 
Keith came to the Shenandoah Valley from Chicago, Illinois, where he lived for 37 years. In the midst of the Windy City sounds, he played in several bands. But, Keith didn't find his "musical home" until years later when he started Jump Alley in 1999.
During a trip to the Los Angeles, California area, and a visit to the famous Derby night club, Keith was exposed to the retro swing bands of the West Coast. He came home and convinced the people that he had been jamming with to change their direction completely: from rock to swing. And the seed of the present day Jump Alley was planted.
It was the right decision. For Keith, the experience has been a great one. In addition to finding a musical style he's at home with, Keith also found his love, our very own Libby! They were married in 2003.
On stage, Keith is a dynamic musician. By profession, Keith is a one of the most respected historical artists and contributor to many Civil War museums and sites.
Learn more about Keith and his artwork at http://www.keithrocco.com !
Got a question for Keith? Click here: keith@jumpalley.org
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Libby Rocco 
Libby is both beautiful and beautifully talented! She sings and tickles those ivories on the piano. Libby’s love of music started as a child singing the standards in three-part harmony with her sisters, while her mother played piano.
Libby attended James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia where she majored in music. While at school, she performed with various vocal and instrumental ensembles, stage shows and toured with the “Madisonians” - the JMU show choir. After graduation, Libby was the orchestra director at Stonewall Jackson High School until her second son was born. Later, she opened her own insurance agency, Wightman Insurance, which she stills owns and operates today, in Edinburg, VA.
Today, Libby continues to direct and perform in community musical productions. She has directed the Wakeman’s Grove Senior Choir for over twenty years. Libby has written several numbers that are performed by Jump Alley. She and her husband, Jump Alley's guitarist Keith Rocco, share a passion for the music and vitality of the 1940’s era: a passion that is reflected in the style and verve of Jump Alley.
Got a question for Libby? libby@jumpalley.org
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Kerry Potter
Kerry’s musical career began on the cello at the age of 8. Through private instruction and tutelage under Martin E. Wiseman, he joined the prestigious Anne Arundel Youth Symphony (Glen Burnie, Maryland), serving as 2nd chair upon his leaving the group at age 16. During his youth, Kerry quickly attuned himself to various brass and stringed instruments, focusing on guitar, French horn and bass. During his high school years, Kerry played French horn and F-horn with the concert and marching bands, and also performed several times with the Tri-County Honor Band and the Lion's Club Youth Orchestra. During this time, he played bass with the school's "stage band" and pep band. While in high school, he was the bassist for the St. Mary’s College (St. Mary's City, Maryland) Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Bob Levy.
Over the years, Kerry was associated with numerous community and school concert and marching bands (including James Madison University's Marching Dukes), as well as the JMU Jazz Ensemble. He later assisted with the formation of several praise bands in the Harrisonburg, Virginia area. Kerry has performed for several Shenandoah Valley musicals with Shenan Arts, Oak Grove Theater, Valley Playhouse, Spotswood High School, Bridgewater College, Harrisonburg Baptist Church and First Presbyterian Church (Harrisonburg). Kerry has also accompanied several concert and show choirs from various Valley high schools, as well as all-county and Virginia district choirs.
While playing music is his main enjoyment, Kerry's passion is helping others realize and achieve their dreams of success they never thought possible. You can learn more about Kerry here.
Kerry joined Jump Alley as bassist in 2004. In addition, he served previously as the bassist for Just Jazzin’ - a popular 20-piece jazz ensemble ( http://www.justjazzin.com ) and currently accompanies the Worship & Praise group at Harrisonburg Baptist Church in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Got a question for Kerry? kerry@jumpalley.org
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You can now book Jump Alley online!
It's easy. It's fast. It's swingin'!
Steve Jennings 
Dr. A Steve Jennings was born in Newport News, VA where he attended the area public schools, graduating from Menchville High School in 1975. A product of Virginia Music Educators Association, Steve has been under the instructions of great educators such as Doris Hutton, Rosemary Carter, Robert Lewis, Hattie Webb, and David Soloman, Dr. Charlotte Collins, Dr. Janette Ogg and Dr. David Stutzenberger. He is currently studying choral conducting with Dr. Susan Reid.
Steve completed his undergraduate and graduate work at Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music, in Winchester, VA: Bachelors of Music Education 1980, Master of Music Education 1987, and DMA in Music Education in 2004. He did post-graduate work in Special Education at George Mason University and taught special education in the Winchester and Frederick County areas, in both private and public schools for ten years. In 1993, Steve became choral director and special education teacher for students with learning disabilities and emotional handicaps at the then-new Sherando High School, in Frederick County, VA.
Besides being the lead singer for Jump Alley, Steve's accomplishments include: director of the Shenandoah Valley Chapter of Sweet Adeline International Inc. (Winchester), Choral Director at Woodstock Christian Church (Woodstock) and is currently Director of Music at Market Street United Methodist Church in Winchester. He is also a member of the chamber choir Musica Viva of Winchester. Steve serves as a choral adjudicator, coach, and guest conductor throughout the East Coast. He is also the assistant tennis coach for the men’s team at Sherando High School in Stephens City, VA.
Steve is a member of the VMEA, the Music Educators National Conference and the American Choral Director’s Association. Steve is married to his college sweetheart and has two daughters, ages 15 and 6.
Got a question for Steve? steve@jumpalley.org
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![Mal2[1].jpg](http://jumpalley.org///Mal2%5B1%5D.jpg)
Malcolm ("Mal") Lane
Mal’s musical studies began on the cornet at the age of 9 in Florida. While attending Apopka Memorial High School, Mal played the cornet and served as Band Captain in his junior and senior years, picking up the French horn in his junior year. During high school, Mal achieved “superior” awards in state competitions on trumpet and French horn, and performed in the Florida All-State Band on French horn.
Mal was the trumpeter for the Dixie Downbeats 1959-1961, a central Florida seven-piece Dixieland/swing combo.
Mal attended Davidson College (North Carolina) and studied trumpet under Dr. Grier Williams. He was with the Davidson College “Wildcat” (pep) Band and wind ensemble for four years. Mal also played French horn occasionally with both the Charlotte and Winston Salem Symphony Orchestras.
Since graduation, Mal has performed as a trumpet soloist and with ensembles in numerous churches in Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, West Virginia and Virginia. He is a charter member of the Massanutten Brass Band, Shenandoah Valley's 30 member “British-style" brass band.
In 2002, Mal filled in on trumpet and flugelhorn with Jump Alley. He has been playing regularly with the group since late 2004. He also sings bass on vocal backups.
Mal is currently Professor and Head of the Department of Computer Science at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Mal is married to his high school sweetheart Maureen and has two daughers and one granddaughter.
Got a question for Mal? mal@jumpalley.org
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You can now book Jump Alley online!
It's easy. It's fast. It's swingin'!
 Joey Whitney
Joey Whitney began playing alto saxophone at age 9. Two years later, he switched to soprano saxophone and later added tenor saxophone. Joey picked up bass guitar in high school and quickly earned a reputation in local rock bands. As his interest in jazz grew he focused on the saxophone.
In 1999, Joey moved to the Shenandoah Valley and began studying with saxophonist Ed St John. Ed encouraged him to play and often invited Joey to perform with his jazz band. It was through Ed that Joey first heard about Jump Alley. Soon after, Joey met Keith and Libby and joined as a third horn playing tenor sax.
In 2001 he joined the acclaimed Howard University Jazz Ensemble under band leader Fred Irby. Holding the jazz tenor chair, Joey has had the opportunity to perform with many legendary jazz artists. He toured Tokyo and Yokosuka Japan in 2005 with the HUJE and has been featured on several HUJE albums.
Living close to the city, he has been fortunate to play at nearly all the DC jazz clubs. He is enthusiastic about returning to Jump Alley. For more information about Joey, you can look on the web at www.joeywhitney.com.
Got a question for Joey? joey@jumpalley.org
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T. Michael (Mick Th' Stick) Grove
Mick brings his passion, and love of big band music to Jump Alley. His high energy sets the band in motion, and his drive generates excitement into the band. You can sense his time, feel and groove. His intuitive style can be compared to Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa. His knowledge and use of rhythms and tempos are captivating, and make it difficult for anyone to sit!
Just watching Mick is also a treat - because his joy of music truly comes from within and comes out to shine! For Mick -- it's all from the heart.
As he looks back, his earliest musical influences were from his grandfather, who was also a drummer. He recalls the times that they would practice cadences together. Mick is quick to tell you that..."It's the greatest music from the greatest generation, and having the honor to play it, is tribute to them."
Throughout high school, Mick was involved with various musical projects with the concert and marching bands, and the school musicals. He was also one of the charter members of the schools first stage and jazz ensembles. After graduation, Mick attended Shenandoah Conservatory Of Music. Later, while serving in the US Navy, he performed with The Great Lakes Drum And Bugle Corps, and The Great Lakes Ceremonial Band.
Got a question for Mick? mick@jumpalley.org
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You can now book Jump Alley online!
It's easy. It's fast. It's swingin'!
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