Shane W. Evans is a children’s book author, illustrator, painter, storyteller, and musician born in Oakland and raised in upstate NY where he attended Schools of the Arts in both Buffalo and Rochester NY. Evans’ work has been featured on global stages including over the years, The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show, Reading Rainbow, and Late Night with David Letterman. Evans has illustrated nearly 50 titles. His most recent books include My Friend and WHY? (written by long time friend and actor Taye Diggs). Other notable projects include 28 Days, LILLIAN’S RIGHT TO VOTE (awarded the Jane Addams Peace award) We March (featured on the NETFLIX special BookMarks), Underground (that was awarded the coveted Coretta Scott King Award), I Love You More Than, Mixed Me!, My Brother Charlie (Recipient of the The NAACP IMAGE AWARD), and Chocolate Me! Evans also is creator and illustrator of “The Shanna Book” series by Jean Marzollo, which was adapted into a Disney cartoon and then spun off into a television show called The Shanna Show and Shane’s Kindergarten Countdown. Shane is based in Kansas City where he founded Dream Studio, an artist studio that has been lauded for its impact on the community.

A brilliant musical theatre performer in her own right (often seen at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre), Naomi Morgan is also the CEO of Seattle-based N.M. Entertainment, known for its dazzling vocal trios including the Memphis Belles, the Valentinos, the Calamity Janes, and DivaTech. Naomi’s various productions and artists perform live and virtually to thousands of audience members yearly.

Sarah Russell is a Seattle based performer, writer, teaching artist, and advocate for racial equity and social justice. Sarah has been performing professionally in theater for the last 10+ years. When not in a show, you can find her circuiting the local band scene. Frequently singing with one of her favorite groups Andy Coe Band. In her free time she is passionate about finding ways to bring together our community through conversation and art.

Frederick likes to sing and likes when you join in! Oh and you may have seen him in productions of American Idiot, Urinetown, Lizard Boy or Assassins if you frequent such affairs in the Seattle area.

Ryan Leyva (AKA Johnny Nails) is a Seattle-based touring multi-instrumentalist/songwriter who focuses on producing and mixing records for various artists when not focused on his own Johnny Nails project.  Ryan's talents can be seen and heard in over 80 countries and on hundreds of records.

One of Seattle’s most sought after pedal steel players, Jay Kardong has played and toured with groups as diverse and talented as Son Volt, Sera Cahoone, Carissa’s Weird, Massy Ferguson, Band of Horses, The Maldives, Lucinda Willimas, and Brandi Carlile. When not performing Jay has been seen hanging around KEXP Radio Seattle and pursuing his continued interest in agriculture and beekeeping.

With over 20 years of touring experience under his belt, Seattle native Thaddeus Turner is no stranger to the road. Currently music director for the Grammy award-winning Digable Planets touring the Americas, Europe, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Turner also performs as Thaddillac, combining the lyricism of soul with the power of rock. As lead guitarist of Maktub and having toured with the likes of Lauryn Hill, Dave Matthews, India Arie, and Stone Gossard. Turner has received glowing praise from Rolling Stone, NPR, and The Seattle Times. Turner is also a resident at Sea Monster Lounge.

Currently working from his home base in Chicago, Illinois, Carlos has traveled to a variety of locations to bring his bass styling to such notable groups as Afro-Cop, Stereo Sons and helping out with 7s.

Rob Lyons’ is the veritable “jack of all guitar trades”, having first emerged in Seattle’s music scene as a member of Afro-Cuban, Funk styled Hip-Hop group Hillpeople featuring MC Dope to later infusing his funk and rock/pop guitar to the rock and soul stylings of Seattle group Novatone. Not to be defined by genre or limited by instrument Rob, performed the original cast role of Carl Perkins in the Tony nominated Broadway musical production of Million Dollar Quartet which he then later performed in London’s West End and other cities throughout the United States. Rob continues to compose and perform music when he’s not chasing his two young kids around. Here’s a Rob Lyons gem made just for you: Here’s a Rob Lyons gem made just for you.

Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, guitarist Alex Anthony Faide now makes Seattle, Washington his home from which he continues to perform and tour internationally. Faide’s latest compositions/recording Particles of the Infinite is a who’s who of progressive rock luminaries including drummers Matt Chamberlin (David Bowie, Stone Gossard, Fiona Apple) and Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson).

Keith Lowe is considered one of Seattle’s most versatile and highly regarded bass players having extensive experience in both acoustic and electric approaches for jazz, country, folk, rock, and other idioms. Keith has performed with artists as diverse as Fiona Apple, Bill Frisell, Scott Law, David Sylvian, Stone Gossard, Harold Budd, and Wayne Horvitz. When not performing, Keith can be found teaching, arranging and music directing for the community at large. His latest album "The Other Half of Silence" is available on Loosegroove Records.

Rob’s musical experiences draw upon a wide range of influences, spanning from his involvement in the 90s Seattle scene as keyboardist in proto-soul-rock group Novatone and later as a member of indie-rock group Harvey Danger, and let’s not get started on his work in subversive musical theater…

Cutting his teeth in New York City’s jazz scene, Joe Doria has been a steadfast anchor of Seattle’s traditional jazz, soul and funk scene. Drawing upon a multitude of styles, Joe’s instrument of choice is his Hammond B3 organ. You can see Joe in his many groups including Spellbinder with Michael Shrieve and McTuff.

Tony Tixier is a pianist, composer, Yamaha Artist, has performed with a wide range of music legends from Andrea Bocelli, Alpha Blondy, Jon Batiste, Gregory Porter to Wallace Roney, Christian Scott, Mino Cinelu, Seamus Blake, Logan Richardson, Etienne Charles... He has been featured on some of the top stages in the world including Radio City Music Hall, The Apollo Theater, the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel live, Blue Note NYC, Jazz a Vienne, and the legendary Ronnie Scotts in London. He opened for Herbie Hancock at the Jazz En Tete Festival in Clermont-Ferrand with his twin brother, violinist Scott Tixier. Tony and Scott Tixier starred in commissioned work by the Artist Janet Cardiff. They composed the music for this project that was a part of the inaugural program for the Foundation Louis Vuitton Paris (building architect Frank Gehry). Tixier also played at Radio City Music Hall as the pianist for the NBC TV show America's Got Talent...Tixier began ambassador for Hennessy VSOP and write the music of the new campaign in collaboration with BJ The Chicago Kid.

Ty Bailie moved off his family's alfalfa hay farm in Mesa, Washington to Seattle to give the musician thing a try and quickly became the go-to B3 organ and keyboard player in town. Known for being Katy Perry's keyboardist since 2015, Ty's diverse talent and interest in all things music has lead to him performing or recording with a myriad of musical icons including: Steve Cropper, Gladys Knight, Tanya Tucker, Peter Frampton, Wanda Jackson, Kenny Burrell, Dave Mathews, Robbie Robertson, Duff McKeagan, Ellie Goulding, Adam Lambert, Ann Wilson, Ace Frehley, Mike McCready, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, Counting Crows, Mudhoney, and with members of Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Yes, Tool, Snarky Puppy, Zappa Plays Zappa, the Fastbacks, Presidents of the United States, The Posies, Screaming Trees, and Truly. A founding member of the award-winning progressive jazz group Ego Band USA and indie rock band Dept. of Energy, Ty also musical directs, produces, and leads his own Hammond organ-based jazz groups around his current home of Nashville.

Mike Musburger is a session (recording) and touring drummer, percussionist, and member of such notable groups as the Posies, The Fastbacks, Love Battery, and the Supersuckers. When not playing drums, Mike has been known to hang out with the likes of Ringo Starr and chat up Burke Thomas Overdrive on the Drum Recovery Network.

Dave is a veteran jazz, rock, soul and funk drummer hailing from the Bay Area and now residing in the Pacific Northwest, his extensive recording and touring credits include the eclectic mix of pop stars such as Sheryl Crow and Jewel as well as such independent favorites as Sun Kil Moon and three albums and tours with Polygram/Antilles band The Grassy Knoll. When not dabbling in music Dave dedicates his time to teaching specially gifted kids and has an ongoing fascination with electronic music.

Yaw Amponsah was raised in a musical family from Ghana, West Africa. As a young boy he was immersed in the complex drumming culture of the Asante (Ashanti) people. A versatile percussionist, Yaw plays many styles of music from Ghana including Palmwine, Highlife and Odonson and has mastered such traditional rhythms as Agbadza, Akom, Aduro, Kpatsa and Kpanlogo. Yaw has also studied djembe music of Mali, Guinea, and the rhythms of popular Congolese music. Yaw has performed and recorded with many local and international musicians in the Seattle, Washington area.

A native of Ghana, Mohammed Shaibu was a pillar of the Seattle music community having performed and recorded with an extensive number of musicians over a five decade career as a guitarist, vocalist, percussionist, and band leader, including, most notably, his group Soyaya meaning ‘love and affection’ and in his musical partnerships with Yaw Amponsah and drummer Greg Campbell. Mohammed’s contributions on talking drum, sakara, and shakers can be heard throughout the 7s track Yeah, Yeah. Our brother and friend left this earthly realm April 18, 2020 but his beauty, smile, and optimism still remain with all who knew him and permeates the heartbeat of the music we created together. May he continue to sing in Jannat ul Firdous.

Dan Moore plays jazz and rock drums in Seattle. He provided the backbeat to legendary Seattle jazz rock combo Kilgore Trout and can currently be seen raising hell with his current group, The Greenwood All-Stars.

Sean Lane is a session and touring drummer, percussionist, and instrument maker currently based in both Seattle and Tacoma, Washington. He’s played in bands such as Perfume Genius, David Bazan, Pedro The Lion, Noha Gundersen, Silver Torches, Pickwick, Modest Mouse, and Yppah. Lane released a solo ambient album, aptly titled “The Bike”, using a bicycle which he’d transformed into a percussion instrument. In 2018 he released a split on the Rare Coins Label with David Bazan titled “Invisible”. Sean most recently seen playing with Ann Wilson of Heart.

A Seattle institution unto himself, Regan Hagar is a drummer, occasional keyboardist, periodic guitarist, guerilla music video director/creator, punk rock contortionist and label manager. His full credits are too numerous to list in their entirety but his associated groups Brad, Satchel, Malfunkshun, and Thee Deception are required reading/listening in any respectable English class curriculum.

Amy is a long-time member of Balkan metal-punk-folk outfit Kultur Shock and co-founder of Billy Tipton Memorial Sax Quartet (now the Tiptons Sax Quartet). Inducted into the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame, she collaborates with artists in every corner of the globe, produces records prodigiously, and operates Spoot Music.

Tracy Ferrara has been a professional musician for 30 years beginning her career as a teenager playing in the New Jersey State Orchestra as a clarinetist. She is a graduate of both the and Juilliard School of Music and Princeton University as well a being a founding member of the 1990’s Northwest iconic indie band Swamp Mama Johnson. Tracy has pursued many styles of music including classical, funk, blues, afrobeat, latin and reggae. Whether performing at New York’s Lincoln Center or at your local Folk Music Festival, Tracy has always found her home withing the artistry of music.

Jon Ryser grew up in Seattle, WA, where he learned to play the Saxophone. He studied at Dick Grove's School of Music in Los Angeles with a major in Voice and a minor in Saxophone. Over the last 30 years, he has written and arranged for numerous artists' records and performed across the country and around the world. He loves most to find the melodies in a piece and give them voice through horns and harmony.

Chris Littlefield has been a fixture in the Seattle Music Community as a professional trumpet player for 20 years having played in many venues throughout the Pacific Northwest region, the US and other parts of the world. Chris continues his work as a bandleader and composer.

Stuart prefers to let Steve Griggs of Earshot Jazz do all the work here.

In a career spanning more than 4 decades, Al has performed with many local bands including Annie Rose and the Thrillers, The Washington composer's orchestra, The Blue Wave band, and numerous large and small ensembles. A short list of national sideman credits include Ray Charles, Joan Rivers, Bobby Caldwell, the Temptations, the 4 Tops, Don Rickles, Jamie Cullum (lead trumpet), and 2 West coast tours with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. Recording credits include work for Universal Vivendi, PBS, and dozens of CD's for local and National projects. Al is a private Trumpet teacher and faculty Trumpet instructor at Shoreline Community College.