Trachy/Lacy Collective

Seth Trachy

Saxophonist/composer Seth Trachy was raised on a farm in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains and spent his childhood exploring the Appalachian wilderness and absorbing the soulful sounds of his father's record collection, including artists such as Ray Charles and Percy Sledge. Attending high school at the North Carolina School of the Arts, Trachy helped form the group Quantum, which received recognition in the Downbeat student music awards, and performed at festivals such as Arts Ignite Festival (Winston-Salem). At the Banff International Jazz Workshop, Quantum performed with guest artist Dave Douglas and recorded with Kenny Werner.

Trachy relocated to New Jersey in 2000 to study on full scholarship at William Patterson University for two years before completing his studies at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City. In 2005, Trachy was selected to participate in the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Workshop as well as the Ravinia Jazz Festival. He has studied with Miguel Zenon, George Garzone, Armen Donelian, Joe Lovano, and Eddie Saulkin. In addition to studying jazz, Trachy has studied Indian classic music at the Ustad Alik Akbar Khan School of Music in San Rafael, California. Noteworthy performances include the Kennedy Center Millenium Stage (2005), the Ravinia Jazz Festival (2005), the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival (2005), and at New York jazz clubs such as the Knitting Factory and Sweet Rhythm.

Russell Lacy

A native of Wake Forest, North Carolina, Russell Lacy started playing percussion when he was nine years old and began learning drum set at age eleven. In high school, Lacy studied classical percussion under the noted percussionist and composer Christopher Deane; he completed high school at the North Carolina School of the Arts, where he majored in classical percussion but developed his long-standing interest in jazz. Lacy continued his studies at North Carolina Central University, graduating with a concentration in jazz studies. Upon graduation, he spent two years as a professional musician, performing with Branford Marsalis, Joey Calderazzo, Eric Reed, Delfayo Marsalis, Ellis Marsalis, Pete McCann, and Gregory Tardy and as a founding member of the John Brown Quintet. During this period, Lacy also studied with Joe Morrello, Billy Hart, John Riley, and Jeff "Tain" Watts and was selected to participate in the Lake Placid Institute for the Arts Jazz Improvisation Workshop (2002) as well as the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Workshop (2006).

In 2006, Lacy relocated to New York City to pursue a master's degree at Queens College, dedicating himself to the study of jazz, Afro-Cuban music with Vince Cherico, and composition and arranging with Michael Phillip Mossman.