The Glorious Results of a Well-Spent Youth:

Catch 22's Kevin Gunther Does Senior Recital

By Phil Rainone, with help from Ann Sorrentino, and Frank Norek
Photos by Kevin Gunter Sr.

Kean University Conservatory of Music Presents: The Senior Recital of Kevin Gunther -
Kean Hall, March 29, 2012

Featuring: Stephanie Ho, piano; Jeffery Stier, piano; Josh Minzner, trumpet; Cris Mora, trumpet; Ashley Kraus, Soprano

As Kevin Gunther walked into the room with his trade-mark trumpet, the crowd stood and cheered. Normally, this would happen at a local club, with the other members of Catch 22 (Pat and Mingus from the band were in attendance), taking the stage alongside him. But on this night, wearing a suit and tie, Kevin was performing with four other musicians and a vocalist. This was his senior recital, for his final grade for graduating Kean University Conservatory of Music!

The music for the recital was completely different from the hardcore ska that Kevin and Catch 22 usually play. Classical composers like B. Britten, J.S. Bach, Bernstein, and G.F. Handel were featured throughout the recital, which lasted over an hour, and included a 15 minute intermission.

With Stephanie Ho on piano, Josh Minzner and Gris Kevin on trumpet, they opened with “Fanfare for St. Edmunsbury.” This was my (and Ann, and Frank’s first recital, so between the three of us we were familiar with most of the music that was performed, and we also got a quick education on Classical music, which actually was a lot of fun)! Kevin, along the other gifted musicians, including Jeffery Stier on piano, and Soprano, Ashley Kraus treated us to some of the best known classical pieces of music like “Ave Maria,” and “Eternal Source of Divine Light,” to more obscure (at least to me), numbers like “Lied,” “Rondo for Lifey,” and “Let the Bright Seraphim.”


Kevin Gunter (center) with Catch 22 bandmates Pat and Mingus

There were about 50 to 60 people in attendance, including Kevin’s wife, parents, brothers and sister, grandparent, family, and friends. On the back of the program, Kevin thanked everyone who has helped him in his life and career, so I’ll let him have pretty much the last word: “To my fellow students, I Hope that I have given as much to Kean University as I will take away. I am proud to say that I am a student at Kean, and I believe it’s due to the talented and passionate students that make up our department. I thank you all for your support and friendship.” -From the acknowledgements on the program.
Kevin Gunther is now a music teacher, and he still plays with Catch 22. As a matter of fact, Catch will be playing on this year’s Bamboozle Music Festival, that has returned to Asbury Park (formally Skate & Surf), in May.

A few years back Catch 22 released a DVD about the band and their history. In a home movie going back to when Kevin was in high school, there were a few photos of him playing drums in the Old Bridge high school band. After the recital I asked Kevin’s dad, Kevin Sr. about the video, and how his son switched from drums to trumpet. He had mentioned that at some point the school had instruments like the trumpet, but not many kids were interested in playing. They asked Kevin to take a shot, and the rest as they say, “Is History!”

We’ve been Catch 22 fans since their beginning going back to the 90’s when they were playing at clubs like Birch Hill in Old Bridge, and Club Bene in Sayreville. One of the things that that the band has always been known for was their passion for music, their originality, unwavering dedication to their fans. On March 7, 2012 we saw where a lot of that passion and love comes from…