By Joel Roberts

Chuck Marohnic - piano

Pianist Chuck Marohnic has recorded 19 albums and CDs and written three books in jazz education. His albums have earned 4 1/2 stars in Downbeat magazine. He frequently travels to festivals around the world and throughout the United States. In May of 1998, Chuck visited Brazil for a second time where he gave clinics for a week's residency. While in Brazil, he recorded an instructional video for MPO entitled The Creation of a Solo Jazz Piano Arrangement.

Since 1981, Chuck has been Director of Jazz Studies at Arizona State University. He also served as music minister at the Fountains, a United Methodist Church in Fountain Hills, Ariz. for three years, where he helped created Inspirations Coffeehouse, a nationally known venue for creative jazz. He now serves as music minister for Blessed Sacrament Catholic church in Scottsdale, Ariz. He is a frequent guest at numerous churches of all Christian denominations.

Samuel Pilafian - tuba

Growing up in a Miami atmosphere alive with jazz music,.Samuel Pilafian became just the second tuba soloist in 50 years to win the Concerto Competition at Interlochen. Fellowship studies at Dartmouth College and at Tanglewood followed, until 1971 when Leonard Bernstein invited him to play in the first production of Bernstein's Mass, which opened the Kennedy Center in Washington.

Pilafian's musical experience has run the gamut, including recordings and performances with the Boston Symphony, the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Philharmonic, Pink Floyd, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, and actress/singer Bernadette Peters.

Best known as a founding member of the internationally renowned Empire Brass Quintet, Pilafian has shifted his focus onto creating jazz. He can be heard on Meltdown, the Pilafian Project (Summit Records) an experimental jazz tuba trio recording, as well as Getting It Together, an instructional inspiration for jazz improvisation.

Pilafian currently serves as Professor of Music at Arizona State University.

Greg Hopkins - trumpet

Among the most imaginative writers in jazz today is Greg Hopkins, whose career has embraced writing and playing for the Buddy Rich band, and who now teaches, composes and performs principally in the Boston area.