A top jazz and studio bassist, Bob Magnusson has worked with virtually everyone in modern jazz. The son of a clarinetist who played with the San Diego Symphony, Magnusson studied French horn for 12 years before switching to bass in 1967. His talent and sound developed very quickly, touring with Buddy Rich's Orchestra by 1968, playing with the San Diego Symphony and having two stints with Sarah Vaughan (1971-72 and 1975-76). Magnusson, who has been a studio musician for decades, was part of the co-op group Road Work Ahead from 1979-82. He has recorded with John Klemmer (Nexus), Art Pepper, Benny Golson, Joe Farrell, Linda Ronstadt (with Nelson Riddle's Orchestra), Bud Shank, Laurindo Almeida and Shorty Rogers, among others. Counting the Road Work Ahead projects, Magnusson has led record dates for Discovery in 1979, 1980 and 1984, and Trend in 1982.

Bud Shank is a legendary alto saxophonist, composer and arranger with over 50 albums to his credit. He is a four time winner of the coveted Most Valuable Player Award for the National Academy of Recording Arts and Science. He popularized Latin-flavored and chamber jazz music and has performed with orchestras as diverse as The Royal Philharmonic, New American Orchestra, the Gerald Wilson Big Band, Stan Kenton’s Neophonic Orchestra and Duke Ellington. The New York Times refers to his playing as “awesomely fluent”. The Los Angeles Times wrote “Bud Shank delivers all the elements necessary for good mainstream jazz: swing, spirit, solid time feel, a robust sound, emotion, intellect, quality tunes and the ability to ignite both band members and audience alike. Hearing him is an exhilarating experience.”

Mike Wofford’s mother, a professional singer, exposed him to music at an early age while living in San Diego where he resides today. His first professional performances were with the legendary Lighthouse All-Stars and the bands of Shelly Manne,Teddy Edwards, Chet Baker, Bud Shank and Shorty Rogers. During this time, he appeared on his first jazz recordings, with Mel Torme, Gary Burton, and Joe Pass , recorded his first album as a leader and became active as a studio session pianist and arranger. In the 70ies Mike toured Europe with Shelly Manne and Lee Konitz. In the 80ies he toured in Japan with Harry “Sweets” Edison, Zoot Sims, the Benny Carter Orchestra and others and in Brazil with the Benny Carter Quartet. From 1989 to 1992, he was the pianist and music director for Ella Fitzgerald. Later, as the house pianist at San Diego’s two national jazz clubs, he performed with many outstanding jazz musicians. He has appeared as a sideman on over 100 recordings and continues to record primarily as a leader. He also writes and tours with the all-star sextet, Flutology. He received critical acclaim for his “Live at Maybeck”. In reviewing “Time Café”, T. Michael Crowell of the San Diego Union-Tribune writes, “Wofford is one of the music's most understated pianists. Deeply soft-spoken and taciturn, he communicates through the florid improvisations he creates on his keyboard....  He combines Powell's bebop approach with outstanding technique, blending block chording with textures created through keyboard runs and accents..... His improvisations are logical and intelligent without losing the emotional impact of the music”

 Joe La Barbera’s first musical experiences began at home as part of the family band. From his father he received a solid foundation in drumming as well as clarinet and saxophone. After graduating from Berklee College of Music and playing with the U.S.Army Band, he began his career with Woody Hermann and the Thundering Herd. With the Chuck Mangione Quartet he performed at jazz clubs and at fully orchestrated symphony halls. During a two- year period in New York, he freelanced with Jim Hall, Phil Woods, Art Farmer, Gary Burton, Art Pepper, John Scofield, Bob Brookmeyer and Toots Thielmans to name just a few. In 1978, along with bassist Marc Johnson, he joined Bill Evans to form a landmark trio. In 1980 he joined pop singer Tony Bennett. With others he helped create JazzCompass, an independent recording company dedicated to his musical interests. His recorded release “Mark Time” was selected one of the top ten 2003 releases in Dr. Herb Wong’s Blue Chip Jazz CD Awards.

Currently residing in Los Angeles, Joe is involved in a wide range of musical endeavors including his own quintet. He also performs sideman duties for Conte Condoli, Bud Shank, Alan Broadbent and others. Internationally he is touring Europe with “Baseline”, Kenny Wheeler, J.M.O.G. (a cooperative group with his brother), the West Coast All Stars, and Karrin Allyson and collaborating with W.D.R. Big Band in Cologne. In Japan he toured with Lee Konitz. He is also a clinician, guest artist, university instructor and faculty member at the California Institute For The Arts.
Joe La Barbera is regarded by his peers as a musical drummer and a supportive accompanist. Jazz great Bill Evans summed it up best when he said that "Joe is very dedicated to playing quality music and he's willing to make the concessions of dues toward that end. He's a top soloist and he does the right thing at the right time."

 Critics and fans have labeled Holy Hofmann the most authoritative, swinging flutist in jazz today. Holly’s father, a jazz guitarist, exposed Holly to jazz as early as age five. Insisting that Holly have a solid background in classical technique, Holly began her formal education with lessons from the 1^st flutist of the Cleveland Orchestra. She completed her musical education with a bachelor’s degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music and a master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado. She makes her home in San Diego and performs there with pianist Mike Wofford and Bob Magnusson. She has toured with many notables including pianist Bill Cunliffe and legendary bassist Ray Brown. She has 9 critically acclaimed recordings as a leader, including a Quartet recording with compositions honoring Ray Brown, and as a co-leader in the new sextet Flutology. Adept as a true musical communicator, knowledgeable jazz fans and new listeners are drawn to her performances. Promoters recognize Holly as one of the premiere flutists in the country.

Phil Woods, while describing her performance at the Telluride Jazz Festival, said “along with Hubert Laws, Holly is frankly the best jazz flute player today.”

Pete Christleib’s evocative tenor saxophone sounds have been heard on prime-time television shows such as Star Trek and Deep Space Nine, the Tonight Show and on Natalie Cole’s “Unforgettable” album. His own albums have been nominated for several Grammy awards. His father, a bassonist and studio musician, introduced him to a broad range of music. At 13 he became interested in jazz and tenor saxophone. He began studying with Bob Cooper of the Lighthouse All-stars in his teenage years and went on the road with Si Zentner at age 18 and other veteran horn players. He went on to perform with Della Reese in the Las Vegas Flamingo Hotel and with the stellar bandleader Woody Herman. Returning to Los Angeles, he formed a partnership with one time Ellington drummer and band leader Louis Bellson. This association led to his appointment to the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and Doc Severinsen. Today Christlieb concentrates on performing, teaches summers at the Budd Shank Jazz workshops, works with the Bill Holman band and continues with studio and recording projects with partner Dennis McCarthy.

Chris Kelsey writes on his web-site “Pete Christlieb is probably one the world's most famous anonymous tenor saxophonists............" Though he's done good work elsewhere, Christlieb's biggest claim to fame away from Severinsen and Carson is a Warner Brothers album he recorded in 1978 with fellow tenorist Warne Marsh. Apogee is one of the most compelling straight-ahead jazz albums of the '70s”