Born in Mexico and raised in New York, Arturo O'Farrill is a prolific pianist, composer, and passionate promoter of Latin music and its cultural heritage.

Sean Dobbins got his start as sought-after Detroit area jazz sideman at a young age, when he would regularly play with Blue Note artist Louis Smith.

Flugelhornist, composer, educator and recording artist Dmitri Matheny, is “one of the jazz world's most talented horn players.”

Ken Kozora performs with a variety of instruments and in a variety of styles from Classical to Electronic and beyond.

Ellen Rowe is a jazz pianist, composer, and educator. She is currently a Professor of Jazz and Contemporary Improvisation at the University of Michigan.

Rodney T. Whitaker is an internationally renowned Mack Avenue recording artist, jazz bassist, professor of jazz double bass, director of Jazz Studies.

The James Carter Organ Trio reigned for several decades as jazz’s meat-and-potatoes mainstay, a populist vehicle for blues-drenched blowing.