MARK TAYLOR - SAXOPHONES

Mark Taylor is an important voice in the Northwest Jazz scene. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Washington in 1994 and Master of Music degree from Manhattan School of Music in 2000. While in New York, Mark performed with the grammy-nominated Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and studied with many of its members, including Dick Oatts, Jim McNeely, John Riley, and Billy Drewes. Locally, Mark was nominated for Instrumentalist of the Year (Earshot Jazz 2003) and can be heard with Matt Jorgensen +451, Frieze of Life, Steve Korn Group, Marc Seales Group, SRJO and the Jim Knapp Orchestra, Charlie Smith's "Circle," Chris Stover's "Acquired Involuntary Narcisism," as well as with his own group. Mark also released his debut CD in 2002 entitled "After Hours" (Origin Records) www.MarkTaylorJazz.com

JAY THOMAS - TRUMPET / SAXOPHONES

Jay Thomas, a native of Seattle, is a versatile multi-instrumentalist (trumpet, flugelhorn, alto, tenor, soprano and flutes). His music is eclectic, drawing on all musical situations in his life. His music could be described as lyrical without losing touch with the blues. Jay can be heard on over 60 LPs and CDs, releasing eight as a leader. Jay's musical voice has matured over the last 20 years. His is a very personal and recognizable sound, characterized by warmth, lyricism and rhythmic authority. Readers of Earshot Magazine selected Jay as Musician of the Year for 1996 and 1998. Jay was also chosen as one of the top 10 players in the "Brass on Fire" search conducted by the national magazine, JAZZIZ. www.JayThomasJazz.com

DAVID MARRIOTT - TROMBONE

New York trombonist, David Marriott, has an illustrious performance background, having won the Eastern Trombone Workshop Jazz Soloist Competition in 1999. David is co-leader, with brother Thomas, of the Marriott Jazz Quintet. He is member of Seattle's highly acclaimed Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra and the New York-based Brian Lynch Big Band. David has experience teaching in public and private high school programs, summer jazz workshops, guest clinician appearances, and with the Manhattan School of Music's Preparatory Division.David is a graduate of Garfield high school, the University of Washington, and the Manhattan School of Music where he recently completed a doctorate in music.www.MarriottJazz.com

MARC SEALES - PIANO

A noted pianist and composer, Marc Seales has shared the stage with many of the great players in the last two decades. For 18 years he was a mainstay in the bands of bop legend Don Lanphere, with whom he toured Europe and recorded half a dozen albums, most featuring Seales' compositions. In concerts, festivals & clubs, his band mates in recent years have included Benny Carter, Joe Henderson, Larry Coryell, Bobby Hutcherson, Slide Hampton, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, Art Farmer, Jackie McLean, Clark Terry, Art Pepper and Frank Morgan. Seales is today promoting jazz awareness & molding young talent as an Associate Professor of Music and head of the jazz department at the University of Washington. Seales is listed in the 1999 edition of Ira Gitler's Encyclopedia of Jazz and he was voted Northwest Instrumentalist of the Year 1999 by Earshot Jazz.

DOUG MILLER - BASS

Doug Miller has been one of the "first call" bassists in the clubs, concert halls and studios of the Northwest for 15 years. Originally from Indiana, he spent several years in New York City working with the likes of Mel Lewis, Scott Hamilton and Doc Cheatam. He's performed with some of the world's greatest jazz players including James Moody, The Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra, George Cables, Dick Berk, Jimmy McPartland, The Count Basie Orchestra and Dick Hyman. He has toured internationally with the Ellington Band and with Ernestine Anderson. As a member of Seattle's celebrated New Stories Trio, Doug has appeared on numerous acclaimed recordings in addition to performing on the Grammy nominated recording Song For The Geese by vocalist Mark Murphy. Doug is also an active educator and is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Washington.

STEVE KORN - DRUMSET

Seattle drummer, Steve Korn, is a musician's drummer. Always making the musical content and quality his first priority, Steve's versatile drumming and overall musicianship has made him an integral part of the Seattle jazz scene, and a favorite among its many fine players. Steve has released three CD's as a leader, each receiving rave reviews. A published author and composer, Steve has written articles for Down Beat, Percussive Notes, and Modern Drummer magazines. Steve holds a Master's Degree in Percussion Performance from the University of Washington and is an active educator participating in music camps, festivals and clinics throughout the year.www.SteveKorn.com

Fred Hamilton - GUITAR

Fred Hamilton is a guitarist, bassist, composer, recording artist, author, clinician, and professor in the Jazz Studies Division of the University of North Texas. He has recorded one album as a leader (Looking Back on Tommorow) with David Friesen and Ed Soph, numerous albums as a sideman and is a founding member of the Earl Harvin Trio, which has recorded four albums. Fred is also an original member of the ensemble Brahma, featuring Poovalur Srinivasan on mridangam, Ed Smith on vibes, and Jamal Mohamed on percussion. Brahma plays a fusion of jazz, Indian, Arabic and Balinese styles. In this ensemble Fred plays banjo, acoustic guitar, and the Hindustani slide guitar. He has played bass or guitar with visiting artists such as Bill Frisell, Joe Lovano, Cedar Walton, Mike Stern, George Garzone, David Liebman, Marvin Stamm, Bill Mays, and Dave Pietro. Fred teaches and performs at the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops, held at the University of Louisville, and the University of North Texas Combo Camp. In previous years he was on the summer faculty of the Mile High Jazz Camp at the University of Colorado, the Great Plains Jazz Camp at Emporia State University and has taught workshops at the University of Washington, University of Southern California, the University of Arkansas and others. He has held positions on the faculties of Concordia College in Montreal (1984-85), St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia (1982-84), and Bowling Green State University in Ohio (1979-82).