The Excelsior Band Collection was started in April 2022 in collaboration with the McCall Library to record the history of the Excelsior Brass Band. The collection consists of 14 interviews. Founded in 1883 by Mr. John Pope, Excelsior Band has since remained in continuous active operation, having long been a fixture in Mardi Gras parades in Mobile. Over the years, Excelsior has included many of Mobile’s most outstanding musicians amongst its ranks. The collection explores Excelsior members’ experiences in the band, and some personal reflections on the role of music in their lives.
The files below are the interviews as they are catalogued in this collection at the McCall Library. Please note that what is listed as the "date of publication" in the description of each interview indicates the date that the interview was recorded.
Oral Histories
EXC 001 Hosea London 4-22-2022, Hosea London, Jada Jones, and Ryan Morini
EXC 002 Leon Rhoden 4-22-2022, Leon Rhoden, Ryan Morini, Sarah McGough, and Willie Dinish III
EXC 003 Sean Thomas 4-22-2022, Sean Thomas, Jada Jones, Ryan Morini, and Willie Dinish III
EXC 004 Ronnie Hunter 4-22-2022, Ronnie Hunter, Jada Jones, Ryan Morini, and Willie Dinish III
EXC 005 Herbert Nelson 4-27-2022, Herbert Nelson, Jada Jones, Michael Campbell, and Willie Dinish III
EXC 006 Danny Mosley 4-27-2022, Danny Mosley, Jada Jones, Michael Campbell, and Willie Dinish III
EXC 008 Aaron Colvin 4-28-2022, Aaron Colvin, Ryan Morini, Michael Campbell, and Willie Dinish III
EXC 009 Jerryln London 7-20-2022, Jerryln London, Jada Jones, Ryan Morini, and Michael Campbell
EXC 010 Bradley Cooper 8-31-2022, Bradley Cooper, Ryan Morini, Michael Campbell, and Willie Dinish III
EXC 011 Luquen Cannon 8-31-2022, Luquen Cannon, Ryan Morini, Michael Campbell, Willie Dinish III, and Bradley Cooper
EXC 012 Leroy Bosby 9-12-2022, Leroy Bosby, Ryan Morini, and Michael Campbell
EXC 013 LaDarrel Bell 1-13-2023, LaDarrel Bell