Tenor Sax

Reggie Redd: Cleveland jazz legend, Saxman Reggie Redd who came to Cleveland in the 1950’s studied at Fenn College and was one of the early black musicians who opened the door for many musicians as the first African American in Cleveland to be apart of the local Musician Union. Not only did he pave the way for black musicians , but brought together musicians who have a love a music. He gave many musicians their first opportunity  to perform in a live band. Reggie’s rich raw soulful sound is well known in Cleveland. He has opened and or played with many greats including James Brown, Carmen Mcrae, the Four Tops and Solomon Burke to name a few.

Bass

Chris Vance: With a Master of Music in Double Bass Performance from The Cleveland Institute of Music, a Bachelor of Music in Double Bass Performance from S.U.N.Y. at Buffalo and a Bachelor of Arts in Music Theory - S.U.N.Y. at Buffalo, Mr. Vance has studied with principal players of major orchestras including Cleveland, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, and New York; and Double Bass Professors at major music schools including Juiliard, Indiana University, Illinois University, The Hart School, Michigan State and The University of North Texas. Mr. Vance has played under such conductors as Michael Tilson Thomas, Louis Lane, Steven Smith, David Effron, Carl Topilow, James Conlon, David Zinmann and Sydney Harth. Jazz Bass studies with Mike Moser (buffalo-based guitarist), Paul Fergusson (The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra), Mark Dresser, John Lindberg, and Peter Dominguez (jazz bass professor; Oberlin School of Music). Guitar studies with Mike Moser, Bob Frasier and John Stebal Jr. & music theory studies with Dr. Charles Smith. Honors include a C.I.M. scholarship, The Baird Scholarship, The Livingston Gearhardt Award, University and National Deans Lists and
a scholarship to attend The Brevard Summer Music Festival in 1997.

Guitar

John Stebal:The Stebals have been serving the Northeast Ohio area since the 1950's. John Stebal Jr. hit the scene with his guitar at that time and built a reputation as one of the best musicians (studio and live), and as an educator/author who has schooled many of today's professionals. John Jr. opened retail operations in Willowick, Ohio in a second floor office space in the Shoregate Mall Arcade in 1975, with a focus on guitars and instruction. He quickly outgrew the office and moved to a storefront on Vine Street (also in Willowick). At this time the business was able to offer lessons and accessories for all instruments.John Jr.'s son, John P. Stebal III started teaching drums in 1980. When John III felt the need to better service his drum students he started a more legitimate drum department in 1990. There was not a lot of space to work with as the drum department grew (800 sq. ft. total with the back half being used for studios and half of the remaining floor space in the front being used for guitars and accessories for other instruments). So when John Jr. left the business in 1996, John III decided to convert the full line store into a drum specialty shop and use all the floor space for drums and percussion. He felt that he could use his knowledge, experience, and passion for drums better in this type of environment. Today, Stebal Drums occupies three combined storefronts and a total of over 3000 sq. ft. of floor space and lesson rooms

Piano

Leo Couch: Early in his career Leo studied of harmony and composition with the noted Jazz arranger and author, Phil Rizzo. Subsequently he has been involved with the Creative Music Studio in Woodstock, N.Y., with such artists as Anthony Braxton, Oliver Lake, Karl Berger and Carla Bley. He also studied with pianist Jaki Byard, formerly of the Charles Mingus group, at his studio in Hollis, N.Y. Leo has been performing in Europe since 1991. Performance highlights include the Ljubljana Jazz Festival, the Jazz Lent Music Festival in Slovenia; The Custard Factory Music Series in Birmingham, England and at Club 54 in Heidelburg, Germany.
Leo has been the recipient of major grants from The ArtsLink/Sorros Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, Ohio Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, and the Slovenian Government for composing, performing, and special projects both in the U.S. and Europe. He has been teaching courses in World Music at Cleveland State University since 1998.