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Trumpet Section
Russ McCollum
Instrument: Trumpet
Member Since: 2012
Hometown: Plant City, Florida
Hobbies/Interests: cooking, history, world cultures, motorsports
Biography: Russ McCollum, originally from northwestern Alabama, moved to the Tampa area in 2011. He attended the University of North Alabama, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Instrumental Music. While at UNA, Russ was a principal player in the Marching Band, Studio Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Symphony. In addition to the Florida Wind Band, he also performs as a freelance musician and was a member of Tampa Bay Thunder Drum and Bugle Corps (2012 and 2013). Russ teaches privately and, currently, teaches brass and visuals with the Plant City High School Raider Regiment. Russ lives in Plant City with his wife and two daughters. He is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Robert Baldridge
Instrument: Trumpet
Member Since: 2018
Hometown: Seminole, Florida
Hobbies/Interests: computers, programming, teaching, music composition, piano, synthesizers, gaming
Biography: Robert Baldridge, a native of Pinellas County, began his musical journey on piano at three and began playing the trumpet at eight years old. After graduating from Seminole High School in 1995, Robert attended St. Petersburg Junior College, where he studied music theory and trumpet performance. Robert continued his trumpet studies along with music technology at Florida State University, then joined the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps as a lead soprano for their 50th anniversary. Robert has performed professionally with numerous ensembles, including the St. Petersburg College Wind Symphony, After Five Jazz Ensemble, The Blessed Sacrament Brass Quartet, the Tampa Bay Symphony, and the St. Pete Opera. When not performing, Robert teaches private lessons to trumpet students of all levels in the Tampa area. Robert is an accomplished IT professional and has worked for several well-known software security companies.
William Luckett
Instrument: Trumpet
Member Since: 2019
Hometown: Winter Haven, Florida
Hobbies/Interests: cycling, running, performing music, enjoying family time
Biography: William Luckett received his Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance from the University of Central Florida and his Master of Music in Trumpet Performance from the University of Alabama. While at Alabama, William was a performing member of the UA Faculty Brass Quintet and worked as a graduate staff member with the Million Dollar Band. He has also performed with the Florida Lakes Orchestra, the Orlando Philharmonic, the Huntsville Symphony, and, most recently, the Florida Wind Band. William is in his eighth year as a music educator, serving as Director of Bands at Wesley Chapel High School in Wesley Chapel, Florida. William lives in Zephyrhills, Florida, with his wife, Elizabeth, his son Levi, and his dog Luna.
Kevin D. Clark
Instrument: Trumpet
Member Since: 2016
Hometown: St. Petersburg, Florida
Hobbies/Interests: travel, disc golf, paddle boarding, scuba diving
Biography: Kevin Clark is a freelance musician and music educator. He studied music education at the Northwestern State University of Louisiana and trumpet performance at the University of North Texas. In addition to the Florida Wind Band, Kevin performs locally with the Helios Jazz Orchestra and the Bay Kings Band. Kevin also serves as Contemporary Worship Leader for the First Presbyterian Church in St. Petersburg, Florida.
John Baker
Instrument: Trumpet
Member Since: 2018
Hometown: Tampa, Florida
Hobbies/Interests: tennis, sports cars
Biography: John Baker completed his music studies at Wichita State University. Upon completion, he was drafted into the Army, where he won a position with the West Point Band. After his military service, Baker was awarded a staff trumpet position at Disney World and became an adjunct trumpet instructor at the University of Tampa. Later, John was the band director at Seminole Presbyterian School, band leader of the Derby Lanes Greyhound track, and trumpet professor at Hillsborough Community College. Baker studied trumpet with Irving Sarin ( Israeli Symphony), William Vacchiano (New York Philharmonic), Robert Nagel (Yale University), Ray Crisara (NBC Symphony), and Don Owen (Florida Orchestra). John has enjoyed an extensive performing career, including the Venice Symphony and Florida Wind Band.
Jay DeDon
Instrument: Trumpet
Member Since: 2016
Hometown: Plant City, FL
Hobbies/Interests: parenthood, fitness, basketball, volleyball, brass band
Biography: Jay DeDon is an alumnus of Plant City High School and Stetson University. He has been a band director in Hillsborough County since 2014 and serves as the Director of Bands at Ben Hill Middle School. Jay is a freelance trumpet performer and instructor in Tampa and performs Solo Flugelhorn for the Tampa Brass Band. At the 2022 North American Brass Band Championships, Jay earned 3rd place for Horn Slow Melody with his performance of Movement II from Ewazen’s Sonata for Trumpet and Piano. His greatest joy comes from time with his two beautiful children and his wife, Devin DeDon, French Horn.