Howard Wentley--Guitar and Vocals

A native of Pennsylvania, Howard started performing in R&B and rock bands during high school. After graduation he traveled the Mid-Atlantic states playing rock and top 40 at nightclubs, colleges, and outdoor shows. He also began teaching guitar, which he continued to do for more than 15 years.

Howard was a founding member of Allies, a very popular power pop band that showcased in New York and Philadelphia and traveled up and down the East Coast. A high point for them was when they won the local edition of the Miller High Life Rock-to-Richs Contest. Allies opened for many well-known artists, including The Hooters and The Greg Allman Band.

In Boston he joined I Inside, a respected original band that recorded extensively and opened for top Boston bands. He also worked for a booking agency as talent screener and ran the New Music Nights at several clubs in the Boston area. During this period Howard freelanced with many Boston bands, recording and performing hundreds of times a year. Later he founded and led Famous People, one of the top cover bands in Boston. The first drummer for Famous People was Devon Glenn, who later was an original member of Buckcherry. During this time Howard attended Emerson College in Boston, graduating with honors and receiving a BFA in Writing.

Since relocating to Orlando Howard has played all over Florida, including hundreds of beachside gigs, which is after all what a Northeasterner is looking for in Florida. While in Florida he has had the opportunity to open for Bad Company and the Indigo Girls. 


                 Jim Lee --Bass and Vocals 


Jim started playing guitar at age 12 after hearing the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album. That’s when he knew he wanted to perform. He played electric guitar in the West Genesee High School Jazz Band and Rock Ensemble, 10th-12th grade. Won 1st place in talent show for “Rocky’s Theme.” He performed that same year at the NY State Fair. Throughout high school, Jim studied music theory, classical guitar, jazz guitar, and piano. He also performed in various original and cover garage bands with friends—the usual stuff.

After working several years to payoff student loans,he jumped back into the music scene with a friend/guitarist, but this time he picked up the electric bass. Jim studied bass with Dave LaRue, bassist for Dixie Dregs, Steve Morse Band, John Petrucci, and Joe Satriani.

Jim has performed in several cover bands around Orlando, FL. He also co-hosted Thursday night open mic at Underground Bluz. Additionally, he performed in the Holy Cross music ministry from 2003-2006.


                  Eric Mroczkowski--Keyboards, Guitar, and Vocals 

Eric started out as trombone player in school band, and a very accomplished one at that. He was in county band starting in junior high, and participated in concert band, jazz band, and marching band throughout his high school years.

At Valencia Community College he was in concert band, jazz band, brass choir, and dixieland band, and he was a UCF Marching Knight for 4 years.

He has played locally in various classical groups, and in local jazz groups, including:

Maitland Pops Orchestra
Bud Wilson Orchestra
The Escorts
Jazz Repertory Orchestra

Eric has also played in musicals / pit orchestra (on trombone): 

Wekiva River Players (Sanford) - 9 productions
Celebration Players (Celebration) - 2 productions

Eric brings his extensive experience and formal training to Shadow Cabinet, adding to the rich mix of flavors the band employs. 


          John Ripley--Drums 

John has been playing drums since he was 10 years old. He participated in jazz band, concert band, big band and marching band while attending high school in Silver Spring MD  and at Texas A&M University. He was a member of various live and recording projects while living in Washington, DC, Texas, Hawaii, Australia, and Florida.

John was a Grand Prize Winner in the National John Lennon Song Writing Contest Session 1 in the Gospel Category. He was a songwriter and drummer for Generation Letter, a Orlando, Florida-based rock worship band that has received national acclaim. He has been a featured recording artist at Full Sail University. John has also been a drum instructor since 1981.

Now he's the newest member of Shadow Cabinet.