kent peterson (trumpet)

Kent's musical career started in 1965 at Wines Elementary in Ann Arbor, Michigan, when he was in the fifth grade. Since then Kent has played his horn around the country and in Africa and South America.

Kent is the founder of "five miles more" and is the band's leader. He loves to play jazz with the members of "five miles more"

Kent also plays his trumpet in church, soloing classical material for offertories and preludes to worship. He has played in the bell choir and in the praise band as well.

Kent and the band play Liberty Plaza in downtown Ann Arbor on select Friday nights during the spring, summer, and fall for the homeless of Ann Arbor. It is the bands favorite gig. "five miles more" and Kent, look forward to seeing you down there shaking your booty!

otho (trombone)

Otho is a true music lover. He loves to play any type of instrument. His main area of study has been the trombone, including being in many classical and jazz bands throughout high school and college. He studied Trombone performance for two years in college before leaving to explore professional music opportunities.

He is also accomplished in playing the Guitar and Keyboards. Since returning to Ann Arbor in 2005, Otho has been involved in bands of many genres, including ska, funk, cabaret and jazz. "five miles more" is the latest and greatest, combining many different talents to which Otho hopes to add his own style, individuality, and musicianship.

Otho explores many other interests as well. He is currently involved in a historically-based full-contact combat sport called Dagorhir. He also has a love of all things technical, which includes a career in telecommunications and many side jobs as a fix-it-man for his friends, family, and other referred customers. Overall he likes to be a well-rounded person and enjoys performing in any way he can.

He looks forward to playing music for YOU at "five miles more's" next show!

mike (guitar)

Mike comes primarily out of the singer-songwriter tradition and is very excited that his intro to jazz has been in the company of such a talented and dedicated group of musicians.

My first serious work was with California's Hali Hammer Band, a trio of songwriters who recorded an LP(!) and a 2nd cassette-only release in the late 80's. The group played regularly at clubs around the Bay Area. Our performances included regular appearances for Bread and Roses, the San Francisco Free Folk Festival, La Pena Cultural Center, People's Park and the nationally- reknowned Freight and Salvage. A high point for me was when Hali and I joined the chorus at the Nelson Mandela rally in the Oakland Coliseum in 1990.

Since returning to Michigan in 1994, I've played solo as well as in several bands. My longest running collaboration is with Mark Brokaw in the Bonfire Poets. Some of my best musical memories are of playing guitar and horn-and-string synthesizers for Jesus Christ Superstar with the Bethlehem UCC Youth Group. What a ball that was!

Some of the other local shows I've played (solo and with other musicians) include Ann Arbor's Walk and Roll, the Gimme Shelter series in both Ann Arbor and Jackson, the Jackson SummerFest, Stockridge Summer Fair, Ferndale Art Fair, the Human Awareness Institute's annual benefits, services at the Interfaith Round Table and the Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth, and GospelFest 2005.

My first brush with jazz was several years ago with A La Mode, a local four-voice jazz group for who I briefly played bass. This time around, we've got a different set of folks and a different direction, and I'm loving every minute of it. I look forward to each opportunity we have to bring our music out to the public!