Jimmy Layton (piano, organ, elec piano) ~ Just another Kid from Red Bank, Jimmy was born at an early age, in a log cabin that he helped his father build. With no sign of musical talent, Jimmy taught himself how to play keyboards as a teenager. Later, he studied classical piano and took theory classes at San Francisco City College. His interest in jazz started through listening to fusion (Return to Forever; Weather Report; Pat Metheny and others). His interest in composition arises from his admiration of Frank Zappa, Charles Mingus, and playing in original, jazzical-rock group, Dr. Duck.

Jimmy headed up GRoK, a SF Bay Area original fusion band, which has opened for Allan Holdsworth, Zero and Roy Rogers. He has released 3 CDs of his own music which have included jazz, blues, progressive rock, electronic and new age pieces ~ the last release being with EmptyHand.


Jay Goetting (bass) ~ Jay’s past few decades cover the gamut of the arts, politics and the media. After growing up in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul and becoming an integral part of the music scene there, he moved to Napa. Jay played bass and traveled with the Buddy Rich band; played and recorded with Brazilian pianist Manfredo Fest; performed with Doc Severinsen; Clark Terry and numerous other jazz luminaries. He has served as general manager/executive director of the Napa Valley Symphony, is currently writing a book on the history of jazz in the Twin Cities, and continues to chronicle the music scene as a free lance writer.


Chuck MacKinnon (trumpet, flugelhorn) ~ This New York trumpet and flugelhorn player and composer actually grew up in the Bay Area. He studied music at UCLA and Cal State East Bay. Chuck MacKinnon has performed with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, Joe Henderson, James Moody, Randy Brecker and other jazz greats, as well as Norah Jones, John Mayer and his own Chuck MacKinnon Mactet, during his long career. MacKinnon is also a much sought after educator, who has taught master classes at UC Santa Cruz, Sonoma State, CSU San Jose and other universities.


Erik Jekabson (trumpet, flugelhorn) ~ Grew up in Berkeley, CA. He began playing recorder at age 7, and at age 10 also began studying clarinet and trumpet. He played in the Berkeley High School Jazz Band, which won a number of high school competitions including the Reno and Monterey Jazz Festivals, and was able to tour Japan with the Monterey Jazz Festival High School All-Star Big Band. Erik moved to San Francisco in July 2003, after spending the previous five years in Brooklyn, New York, and putting out his debut solo CD "Intersection". Erik has played with singer/songwriter Amy Kohn, Justin Mullen's Delphian Jazz Orchestra, jazz singer Vanessa Trouble, the Sean Smith Quartet, the Illinois Jacquet Big Band, in the Off-Broadway show "The Jazz Singer", and spent a year on the road with pop singer John Mayer.


Harvey Wainapel (Tenor sax, soprano sax) ~ Studied at Berklee College of Music for two years, during which time he recorded (and performed at Carnegie Hall) with vibist Gary Burton. Following a two-month tour of Tunisia, Wainapel settled in Europe for five years. Soon after returning to New York, Wainapel was hired by singer Ray Charles for a 10-month world tour, and then moved to San Francisco. Wainapel, who has performed with McCoy Tyner, Joe Lovano, Joe Henderson, Flora Purim and Airto, has been a key contributor to the Bay Area jazz scene, as well as maintaining an ongoing international impact.

"Wainapel proves that he is among the most imaginative, sensitive and creative saxophonists of the post-Coltrane era."
~ San Francisco Examiner

"One of the most promising and versatile players of his generation."
~ All Music Guide to Jazz

Lincoln Adler (tenor sax, soprano sax) ~ Started playing various musical instruments at the age of 5, eventually being drawn to the saxophone in high school. Lincoln became fascinated by the power of music to communicate. He developed his sound playing in local bands, and refined his abilities at the University of California, Berkeley as a member of the UC Jazz Ensemble. He studied with legendary saxophonist Joe Henderson and local hero Hal Stein. In Los Angeles he became an in-demand session player and composer/producer for TV and film. Among his releases are albums under his own name as well as with Rain-bo Tribe and Bay Area urban jazz group Times 4. Lincoln has performed and recorded with many artists including actor/pianist Jeff Goldblum, kd lang, and Olivia Newton John.

Todd Sorensen (drums) ~ An accomplished session drummer and percussionist as well as a composer and producer. His playing and writing can be heard everyday on shows like NBC's The Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America and more. He also composes for TV, radio and album production. His work has been featured in film trailers for such blockbusters as Tomb Raider 2, X Men 2 and Spiderman.