The Ain’t Misbehavin’ Big Band began with a small group of Kenwood High School friends in 1990. Jim Coffman had a dream to start a band that played big band music, Glenn Miller, Jimmy Dorsey, Count Basie and Duke Ellington. His small group with members Steve Miller, Bud Aro, Mo Lebrun, John White, Marvin Ode, Lee Hofmann, Andy Makowiecki, Jough Loosmore, Bill Kinkaide and vocalist Pat Stevens, quickly became a 20 piece big band. Today, the band has 20 members still performing the big band music that Jim loved. Jim turned the band over to Gar Foreman in 2000 with Barbara Butler and Jodie Lomedico on vocals. George Stelmach took over in 2014 with Jodie Lomedico and Brenda Blackwell on vocals. Brenda became the band leader and remained the Vocalist in 2018 to August of 2024. Larry Noto, Music Land Owner, sang with the band for a while and now we feature Mark Schippits and Michele Araquette on vocals. Mark also leads the band, with support from Dave Russell as Music Director, Buzzy London as Program Director, and Christopher King and MargaretTatro as financial advisors. The band essential runs as a cost-neutral endeavor on the good will of our musicians.
The membership ranges careers in aviation, dentistry, law, fire protection, chemistry, education, government to business entrepreneurs, and some retired members as well. One thing we all have in common is our love for playing big band music!
Our performances have encompassed a whole spectrum of listeners and dancers. We have performed for audiences of many charitable organizations, retirement communities, legions, private parties, concerts in the park, churches, museums, and fund-raisers. We are proud to give back to the community and support many local projects for the benefit of all. We have participated for over 10 years in the Kennedy Krieger Festival of Trees fund raiser at Timonium Fair Grounds. We are proud of our participation to provide funds for the Jerusalem Mill Historical Park in Kingsville and the Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church Market Day. At Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church we also participated in honoring our fallen heroes in the Harford County Police Force and the State Police Force ceremony.
We close our concerts with a tribute to our Military Men, Women, and their Families. We are the Land of “the Free and the Home of the Brave” because of their personal commitment and sacrifice, and we thank them for their Service.
God Bless the USA
Just contact us at Bookings.AMBB@outlook.com to arrange musical bliss for your next event!
We remember our fellow band mates who have passed: Jim Coffman, George Stelmach, Maurice Le Brun, Marvin Ode, Steve Konarski, Andy Makowiecki, Gar Foreman, and Dr. Ron Carter. May they rest in peace.