WYCLIFFE GORDON (trombone) enjoys an extraordinary career as a performer, conductor, composer, arranger, and educator, touring the world performing hard-swinging, straight-ahead jazz, “mixing powerful, intricate runs with sweet notes extended over clean melodies.” He has twice received the Jazz Journalists Association award for Trombonist of the Year. Wycliffe is a veteran of the Wynton Marsalis Septet, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, and the Gully Low Jazz Band, and has been a featured guest on Billy Taylor’s “Jazz at The Kennedy Center” series. Wycliffe’s extensive performance experience includes work with many of the most renowned jazz performers of the past and present. Wycliffe has made television appearances for the Grammy Awards, the PBS “Swingin’ with the Duke,” two “Live from Lincoln Center” broadcasts, and “A Carnegie Hall Christmas Concert.” Gordon also appeared in Ken Burns’ documentary, “Jazz,” and in a feature film, “Tune in Tomorrow.”  Wycliffe is a committed music educator on the faculty of the Jazz Studies Program at The Juilliard School. He is the youngest member of the U.S. Statesmen of Jazz, and serves as a musical ambassador for the U.S. State Department. http://www.wycliffegordon.com/

ED POLCER (cornet) was the resident cornetist and bandleader at Eddie Condon’s club in New York City from 1975 to 1985.He has performed worldwide—in the White House for President Clinton and in Bangkok for the King of Thailand. Since touring with Benny Goodman’s Sextet in 1973, Ed has been the bandleader for numerous national and international tours. He has appeared in hundreds of concerts, festivals and jazz parties throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, including numerous return appearances at the Newport/Kool/JVC Festival in New York. Ed has been mentor to many young jazz musicians, including Warren and Allan Vaché, Harry Allan, Dan Levinson, Joe Ascione, and Jonathan Russell. See photo, below. http://www.edpolcer.com

RICHARD SIMON (bass) is one of the busiest bass players in Los Angeles, reputed for his consistent, solid, musicianship with a rich sound and creative solos. Richard demonstrates his wit and humor as a bass soloist and as a highly entertaining emcee and writer. The musicians he’s performed with at festivals, concerts, nightclubs, and recording sessions is a veritable Who’s Who of mainstream and traditional jazz. He founded the UFO-BASS recording label to document over-looked musicians. As Vice President of JazzAmerica (a big band for youth), Richard is deeply committed to jazz education, and conducts Master Classses at high schools, and introductory jazz workshops at middle schools.
http://www.richardsimon.com

HOUSTON PERSON (sax) is a passionate tenor saxophonist, alternately tough and tender. Dizzy Gillespie said of him, “He’s one of the best... He’s got bull chops!” AllAboutJazz described Houston as “jazz’ working class hero; a true man of the people.” His own talent was often overlooked because of his 30-year association with the phenomenal vocalist Etta Jones. Houston aims to create music that is uplifting and relaxing, and makes you feel good. He has also produced many albums for other jazz artists, like vocalist Ernie Andrews. He tours globally and has recorded over 70 albums—everything from disco and gospel to pop and R&B, in addition to his trademark: soulful jazz. More info...

JOE ASCIONE (drums) is most noted for his dazzling polyrhythmic style. He began playing drums at age 2, and received his first drum set at age 4. He was playing professionally by age 12, and soon after, served as a roadie for Buddy Rich. Other inspirations include Gene Krupa and Jo Jones. While Ascione enjoys the challenge of improvised music, he doesn’t wish to be labeled solely as a jazz drummer. (He doesn’t want to be considered as a jack-of-all-trades, either.) He has toured all over the world with various bands, including those of Donald Fagen (of Steely Dan) and Dr. John. He also toured and recorded as a duo with guitarist Frank Vignola in “The Frank & Joe Show.” Joe appears on more than 60 recordings, including two recent projects, as leader, for Arbors Records. http://www.joeascione.com

JOHN COCUZZI (piano/vibes) is well known in the Washington, D.C. area for his passion and intensity on vibes, piano and drums. He was very young when fortunate to have performed with jazz giants Louis Bellson, Barrett Deems, Billy Butterfield, Milt Hinton, and Keter Betts, and with Blues greats Floyd Dixon, Earl King, and countless others. Today, John performs classic jazz, swing, and blues alongside world-class musicians at many domestic jazz festivals and jazz parties, and at prestigious festivals and jazz clubs in Europe. He has performed at the Lincoln Center in New York City, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Smithsonian’s IMAX Jazz Café, the Corcoran Art Gallery, and Blues Alley, Washington D.C.’s premier jazz club.
http://www.johncocuzzimusic.com