Gary ‘Kenny” Sutton
Instrument(s): Trombone
Hometown: North Branch, Michigan
Kenny was born in Scottsburg, Indiana, graduated from Indiana University in music education and later added a MME degree from Michigan State University. For 29 years, he taught instrumental music at North Branch H.S. Kenny’s school bands were among the finest in the Midwest, and he took them to perform from Hawaii to Europe. Kenny and his wife, Lil, operate Sutton Travel, providing trips for school bands all over the country and Europe. Having worked extended tours on the Delta Queen and Mississippi Queen riverboats, Kenny has been a first call classic jazz trombonist for several decades.
Linda King Jewell says
July 25, 2019 at 9:01 pmGary Sutton was my band director and I had such respect for him. He worked with me diligently and I became the solo alto clarinetist with Musical Youth International, traveling to Mexico for six weeks. I loved band and cried my heart out the last day of my senior year because I didn’t want to be done with band. What a special man to me.
Linda King Jewell
Duane Emrick says
August 5, 2019 at 11:52 amGary Sutton passed away this morning @ 5:00 am Monday August 5th, 2019
May he rest in heaven.
Dave Oppermann says
August 5, 2019 at 3:36 pmDuane, we appreciate the notice. We are assembling information on Gary’s funeral and will include it in a short memorial we are putting together honoring Gary, his marvelous talents, and the impact he had on the music of NRB.
Brenda says
August 7, 2019 at 7:37 amI had Mr. Sutton for 8 years for band. I liked it but didnt love it until he showed me just how fun it could be and my friend and I actually started taking our instruments home to practice and became a part of thd wind ensemble instead of the concert band. However both bands were outstanding and under his leadership we won many prestigious awards while getting to travel as well. Mr Sutton taught me alot and I will carry very fond memories of him until I see him again in heaven one day where the music will always be in perfect tune. Lol Rest in peace🌈
Ulla and Alf Alfredsson says
August 13, 2019 at 7:18 am1981 the North Branch Senior High Wind Ensemble visit Helsingborg in Sweden invited by Helsingborg Drum Corps. We met Gary Sutton for the first time and one thing we talked about was classic traditional jazz, something that really joined us. 1982 the Drum Corps visited North Branch and a result of this was that we had David Gordon as exchange student in our home 1983/84 and our two sons as exchange students in North Branch High School 1984/85 respectively 1987/88, both in the Gordon family in Columbiaville. 1988 we made a wonderful trip together with Lil and Gary along Mississippi down to New Orleans . Totally we have met Lil and Gary about 15 times during 1981-2009 mostly in their winter home in Florida. Since that our contacts have been through phone and e-mail, because of bad health. Gary will always have a place in our hearts and we will do our best to keep the contact with Lil.