Scott Robert Avidon is trained in both Jazz and Classical idioms, having studied in the United States and France. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies from Rutgers University, and his Master’s degree in Classical Saxophone from Western Michigan University. The recipient of Down Beat Magazine’s “1995 Collegiate Jazz Soloist of the Year Award, Avidon has moved on to an impressive career as a professional, performing with such artists as The Branford Marsalis Quartet, The Dave Liebman Group, Mel Torme, Hannibal Peterson, The Temptations, The Spinners, Martha Reeves, Harvie S, and Eliot Zigmund, among others.

Scott has been featured on two recordings of bassist Harvie S, Texas Rumba and Funky Cha, both on Zoho Records. In addition, Avidon has recorded with a number of New York-area musicians including Mike Richmond.

As a classical artist, Avidon has appeared with a number of symphony orchestras. In 2002, he premiered a work that he commissioned from Edward Taylor at Christ and St. Stephen’s Church in New York City. In attendance at the premiere were Milton Babbitt and Samuel Adler.

Steve Swanson earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies from Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts. He has toured throughout the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean, performing with artists such as Michael Philip Mossman, John Farnsworth, Chico Rouse, Henning Stumm, and Mark Kirk. In 1994, Swanson was named an Ambassador of Goodwill prior to a European concert tour, during which he performed at the palace of the Archbishop of Hungary.

Edward Taylor holds a Ph.D. in Music Theory and Composition from Rutgers University where he was a student of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Charles Wuorinen. Additionally, he received a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies from the Mason Gross School of the Arts, where he studied jazz drums with Keith Copeland and jazz composition with Kenny Barron and Mark Kirk.

Taylor has composed over 50 original jazz compositions ranging from small ensemble pieces to larger works for big band. Further, he has composed over 20 “classical” works in the progressive post-tonal language, ranging from solo pieces for instruments such as piano, cello, and flute, to works for chamber ensemble and orchestra. He has received performances from The New York New Music Ensemble, Helix!, Fred Sherry, Harvey Sollberger, and John McMurtery, among others. Taylor’s works have been programmed on concerts and festivals throughout the United States, and his Second Piano Sonata received its European premiere in March 2006, at the American Academy in Rome, by Ashlee Mack.

Taylor has performed with such artists as John Farnsworth, Joel Frahm, Michael Philip Mossman, Joel Perry, and Ed Fleischman. He has performed throughout the United States and Europe, including an appearance at Carnegie Hall with vocalist Jewel Crenshaw.

Taylor is currently on faculty at the Baylor University School of Music where he teaches Music Theory, Composition, and Jazz Drums. Previous teaching appointments include William Paterson University and Westminster Conservatory in Princeton, New Jersey. Additionally, he is a co-founder and co-director of the Society for Chromatic Art, a New York-based new music ensemble.

Vic Juris has established himself as one of the world’s preeminent jazz guitarists in a career spanning nearly 40 years. He has performed in every major jazz club in the world, alongside a veritable who’s who in jazz, including artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Phil Woods, Richie Cole, Mel Torme, Gary Peacock, Joe Locke, Sarah Vaughn, and Nancy Wilson, to name but a few.

Vic has also been an integral member of the Dave Liebman Quartet since 1991. The group has recorded 10 CD’s together and has performed throughout the United States, Europe, Israel, and Japan.

As a leader, Vic has nearly 20 recordings to his credit, including the 2005 release A Second Look, about which jazz guitarist John Abercrombie writes, “Vic Juris is the greatest. There’s none better!”

Vic is also one of the jazz world’s leading educators. In addition to giving clinics throughout the world, he has two very influential books to his credit: Vic Juris Inside/Outside: Original Play-along Modern Jazz Guitar Solos and Modern Chords: Advanced Harmony for Guitar. Vic currently serves on the faculties of The New School for Social Research, Rutgers University, and Lehigh University.