Information About Members of

The Larry Busch Band

Larry Busch with exceptional musicians like his brother, Marty – trombone, and cousin Mark – drums, the music is always great whether it’s the trio, or any other size group up to the 15 piece swing band! The Larry Busch Band’s music is centered around swing and ballroom dance styles of music, but occasionally will incorporate other styles into their repertoire when requested. Relax and enjoy the musical selections and arrangements of this fine band.

Larry Kovars is the ‘Voice of Pleasant Valley’, Larry Kovars has been singing with the Larry Busch Band for over 25 years, and brings a truly authentic touch to the songs he sings. When Larry starts to vocalize, his incredibly smooth voice will take you right to the middle of the Big Band Era with songs like: ‘Careless’, ‘I Cried for You’, and the ‘Chattanooga Choo Choo’.

Cleo Ware ‘Milwaukee’s Leading Lady’, joined the Larry Busch Band several years ago when she and her husband, Jeff moved from Milwaukee to Fennimore. Cleo’s bubbly and fun personality shows through on all of her upbeat numbers, and her sincerity, natural talent, and full voice will convince you as you listen to her torch songs! She loves singing songs like: ‘All That Jazz’, ‘I, Who Have Nothing’, and ‘Cabaret’. Having played lead roles in almost all popular musicals in and around Milwaukee, her stage presence and exuberance make her a joy to watch and hear. Sit back and enjoy her dynamite performance as she delivers her ‘no holds barred’ performances!

Bill Schwantes is a lifelong resident of the area, Bill's interest in the big band sounds goes back to his days in the Bloomington High School where he played Alto and Bari saxophone in the school band. After graduating from UW-Platteville, Bill returned to the family farming operation where he now resides. He is married to Sarah and has a son Ross, another saxophone player. Besides music, he also enjoys spending time with his old cars. He is a member of The Glenn Miller Birthplace Society and The Veteran Motor Car Club of America.

Monte Muller has been a public school band director for 33 years, 32 in the Lancaster Community Schools. Monte is currently responsible for the middle school 7th/8th grade marching band, the cadet and lancer concert bands, two jazz ensembles, the beginning band program and all lessons for 6th, 7th and 8th graders. Monte and his wife Dona recently celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary. Son Bob is employed by Modern Business Machines of Appleton and lives with wife Jessica (a middle school music teacher) in Neenah, WI. Daughter Anna is a second grade teacher in Janesville, WI, daughter Amy a junior at UW-Eau Claire in Communicative Disorders and daughter Emily is a senior at Lancaster High School. Monte is a freelance trombonist, playing with many groups in the tri-state area and is co-director of the Lancaster Community Band. He has played with the Larry Busch Band(s) for over 25 years and was the bass trombonist in the Dubuque Symphony for 25 years.

Rob Shepherd has played the Saxophone in just about every conceivable context over the past 40 years: in orchestras and bands, as recitalist and soloist with bands and orchestras, with Keith Brion’s New Sousa Band and in a wide variety of jazz bands including the Madison Jazz Orchestra, Hunter Fuerste’s American Vintage Orchestra, The Dick Juergens Orchestra, The Ken Kilian Saxtet, The Gardenia Big Band and a host of small group combinations.

He was a student of the great classical Saxophonist, Sigurd Rascher with whom he performed and recorded as first alto saxophonist with the Rascher Saxophone Ensemble. His jazz teachers include Johnny Hodges, Paul Desmond, Phil Woods and Art Pepper (their recordings that is!).

Rob currently lives in Lancaster, Wisconsin, where he is the high school band director.

Marty Busch played his first New Year’s Eve gig at ripe old age of 12. This year will be his 39th NYE gig and he missed only one. You can do the math! As a young student, Marty played in the school bands at Cuba City, WI which were directed by Roger Svoboda. He also was a member of the WSMA State honors band two years, and the Honors Orchestra for one year. As a 16 year old trombonist, Marty toured Europe with America’s Youth in Concert, and has loved traveling to Europe ever since.

In high school and college Marty was a Member of the Kids from Wisconsin as a member of the trombone section, and in 1976 performed at Disneyland in the All American College Band. He attended the UW-Platteville and majored in music, studying with Professor Tom Richards from 1974-1979. During this time he played literally thousands of engagements with the Art Busch Orchestra, other bands and many college ensembles. After an 18 year absence from college to get married, start a business and a family, Marty returned to the UW-Platteville and finished his BA in Music with a German Minor, and some business courses. Studying the German Language and culture has become a fairly active hobby for Herr Busch! Professional experience also includes performing with Guy and Ralna from the Lawrence Welk Show, George Burns, Cleo Lane, Johnny Mathis, The Jan Garber Orch., Dick Jurgens Orch., and the Sammy Kaye Orch. Dir. By Roger Thorpe. Marty currently plays with the Larry Busch Band, The Great River Big Band from LaCrosse, Ken Kilian’s Saxtet, the Dixieland All-Stars, Joe Scalisi and the Rat-Pack Revue from Madison, The Brews Brothers Revue, and Hunter Fuerste’s American Vintage Big Band.

Marty’s wife of 29 years is Lori Busch who is director of bands at Potosi Schools. Their four adult children, Luke, Karl, Amelia, and Abigail have all been active in the Lancaster Music program and also in college.

Marty and Lori reside in Lancaster, where Marty owns BUSCH MUSIC, specializing in the sale, restoration, and tuning of pianos, organs, and keyboards. Marty would like to thank you for supporting live music by attending concerts and promoting music in our schools!

Josh Fuchs plays trumpet with the Larry Busch Big Band. After finishing summer touring with the Kids From Wisconsin, he started his first year of college at the University of Wisconsin—Platteville, and is pursuing a double major in music and math. He is keeping very busy at school with all kinds of music ensembles and other activities. He would like to thank his trumpet teacher Dave Cooper for his great instruction and his parents, Bruce and Wendy, for their continuous support! And, of course, much thanks to Larry for the wonderful opportunity to perform with his band!

Kerry Long is originally from Platteville Wisconsin and is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Platteville. He obtained a degree in Accounting and is a Certified Public Accountant. Kerry currently lives in Montfort and is an Accounting Instructor at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College in Fennimore. He has played bass in numerous bands and currently plays in several of Larry Busch's bands, including the recent performance of "Always, Patsy Cline" at the Grantland Theater in Lancaster. Kerry is also a member of a trio called Takin' The Fifth.

Luke Busch holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Systems from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, where he was extremely active in the music department, particularly in the jazz ensembles and saxophone studio. He credits Randy Peterson, Rob Shepherd and Greg Balfany as his most influential role models in the saxophone world. He currently resides in Fitchburg, WI and in order to support his music habit, works as an IT Business Analyst at Electronic Theatre Controls in Middleton, WI. Luke is also a former member of the Kids from Wisconsin, and continues to perform with various groups around Wisconsin and the Midwest whenever possible. Luke would like to thank his family, friends, and his girlfriend, Rose, for all of their ongoing support..