Minus You (Minus Piano)

New York native Bobby Porcelli is one of Latin and Afro-Cuban jazz's most accomplished flautists and alto saxophonists. An exciting soloist influenced heavily by Charlie Parker and Sonny Still, Porcelli's alto has soared gracefully above the legendary percussive ensembles of Machito (1965-1966), Mongo Santmaria ('87-'90), and Tito Puente ('66-'00).

Grammy Award-winner Brian Lynch is one of the most influential and well-respected trumpeters in both Latin and straight-ahead jazz. Brian grew up in Milwaukee and apprenticed with Midwest-based keyboardists Buddy Montgomery and Melvin Rhyne; he went on to earn his degree from the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. After moving to New York in 1981, he earned his stripes working with jazz giants such as Art Blakey, Horace Silver, Barbarito Torres, and Phil Woods. Lynch recorded many records as a leader—23 since he began recording in 1986.

Daryl Johns was born in the Bronx and began playing bass at age seven with encouragement from his father, drummer Steve Johns, and his mother, saxophonist Debbie Keefe. Johns has studied with Chip Jackson and Dave Santoro. He has attended the Jazz in July program, the Vermont Jazz Center, and the Litchfield Jazz Camp. Johns sits in regularly around the New York area with musicians including Joe Lovano, Dave Liebman, and Randy Brecker. He also performs throughout New York and New Jersey with a trio of his peers. Johns was featured on a Fox television segment called “12-Year-Old Jazz Prodigy."

Jon Davis has performed with and contributed compositions to many of the top jazz musicians worldwide throughout his career, which has spanned over 35 years, and has recorded many albums as a leader. Jon took up piano and guitar as a young teenager; he was inspired to play jazz after hearing records of Red Garland and Miles Davis. He briefly studied with Lennie Tristano then attended New England Conservatory, where his teachers included Ran Blake, Jaki Byard, and Madam Chaloff. After six months, he left to begin gigging around Boston.

Bassist Paul Chambers was a leading rhythmic force in the 1950s and 1960s. He became one of the signature bassists in jazz history. Born in Pittsburgh but raised in Detroit, Chambers initially took up the baritone horn as a child. He followed suit with the tuba and didn't become interested in the string bass until 1949. Listening to Charlie Parker and Bud Powell and studying under a bassist of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Chambers began making headway in small bars of Hastings Street area and doing club jobs with Kenny Burrell, Thad Jones and Barry Harris. He did classical work in a group called the Detroit String Band, a rehearsal symphony orchestra.

Born in London, saxophonist Ralph Moore came to the US and attended Berklee College of Music, where he studied with saxophonist Andy McGhee. Three years later he received the Lenny Johnson Memorial Award for outstanding musicianship from the college. He moved to New York City in 1981 and within two months had joined the Horace Silver Quintet for an association that lasted four years and included tours of Europe and Japan.

5-time Grammy Award Winner, Vince Cherico, is the drummer for featured artists in today's Jazz and World music venues. From 1995 - 2006 he was the drummer with Ray Barretto & The New World Spirit, later The Ray Barretto Sextet, and developed his reputation in Latin Jazz while touring the world, recording 6 CD's and 2 Grammy nominations for Contact & Time Was,Time Is. Modern Drummer describes Cherico as, "a drummer of fluidity, fire, and physical ease" who "plays with balanced dynamics and a commanding yet sensitive touch."