TOM WRIGHT
Tom grew up in Washington, D.C. listening to classical music and studying violin. The creative explosion of the sixties caught his ear and he learned guitar and the songs of the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, Frank Zappa, and the other seminal pop artists of the day. Also happening then were John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and by the late sixties the revolutionary Weather Report of Joe Zawinul. With these influences to inspire him he played for ten years in the experimental rock group, Grits. In order to start a family he joined the Kennedy Center Opera Orchestra as principal viola in 1980. He moved to Chicago after joining the Chicago Symphony in 1981. He has continued to work in many styles and is making his debut in jazz. A violinist and violist, Tom also plays guitar and mandolin. Along with his work in the orchestra viola section he has played guitar, mandolin, and electric violin with the orchestra. His instrument is a five-string electric violin made by Tucker Barrett, with a Barbera pickup, and he uses a Fender Deluxe 112 amplifier.

ZACH BROCK
Born in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1974, Zach was introduced to music at an early age by his parents. He left Lexington in 1992 to pursue his musical training in Chicago. Not long after leaving Lexington, Zach was studying and playing with critically acclaimed Chicago trumpeter Orbert Davis. Since arriving in Chicago, Zach has performed with such notable local musicians as Von Freeman, William Russo, Johnny Frigo, Willie Pickens, Orbert Davis, Kurt Elling, Paul Wertico, and Patricia Barber. He recently debuted on Orbert Davis' latest recording, "Priority". His own CD, "Zach Brock & The Coffee Achievers", will be released in March 2003. He plays an NV five-string electric violin by Ithaca Strings through a Mesa Boogie amplifier.

MIKE KOCOUR
Hailed by the Chicago Tribune as "one of the most sophisticated pianists in jazz," Michael Kocour is a senior lecturer in Jazz Studies at Northwestern University and a pianist/arranger who has performed at the 1992 World's Fair in Seville, the Jazz Showcase in Chicago, the Blue Note in New York, and the Chicago, Montreal and Quebec City Jazz festivals. Among the many artists and ensembles with whom he has appeared are Dizzy Gillespie, Eddie Harris, James Moody, Eddie Daniels, Randy Brecker, Benny Golson, Ira Sullivan, Carl Fontana, Dewey Redman, Lew Tebackin, and the Chicago Symphony.

MICHAEL ARNAPOL
Michael Arnopol began his studies of the double bass at age 13. By age 17, he was studying with the principal bassist of the Chicago Symphony, and playing in the Chicago Civic Orchestra. He continued classical studies in Europe. By the age of 19, he was active in the European avant garde jazz scene. Throughout the years, he has accompanied many top local, national and international jazz players, including guitarists Jimmy Raney and Larry Coryell, saxophonists Lee Konitz and Warne Marsh, and many others. He is most known for his 23-year collaboration with pianist/singer/songwriter Patricia Barber, keeping a busy international concert schedule.

TOM HIPSKIND
Drummer Tom Hipskind has been very active in the Chicago area for twelve years. He has been playing locally, touring and recording with such artists as Howard Levy, Patricia Barber, Fred Simon, Diane Delin, Ryan Cohan, Deanna Witkowski and many others. He has played at jazz festivals throughout the United States and in Europe and has many jazz and pop CDs to his credit.