DRUMS - Will Kennedy Recognized as one of the top drummers in the world, Will's performances have not only inspired a generation of musicians but have helped define the leading edge of contemporary Jazz today. A member of the internationally  acclaimed Yellow Jackets for over 9 years, Will recorded 10 albums with  them which garnered an amazing 14 Grammy nominations. In addition to  numerous world tours, Will performed with the Yellow Jackets on numerous  radio and television broadcasts around the world. Will won "Modern Drummer" Magazine reader's poll for Best Drummer (Electric jazz category) for  the last 3 years. Actively involved in education, Will has clinics and  Master's Series all over the world and participates in educational functions sponsored by Pearl, Zidjian, Promark, Evans, Shure and Drum Frame. BASS - Robert Leslie Hurst, III Robert has appeared on over 60 recordings and has worked with the likes  of Ellis Marsalis, Donald Brown, Harry Connick Jr., and many others.  His published works with BeBop Music Inc., are numerous. One has only to have looked at Bass Player Magazine or Swing Journal or Down Beat to have heard of him. He toured with both Branford and Wynton Marsalis,  as well as with the Robert HurstQuintet. He has played with the likes of Wayne Shorter, BB King, John Lee Hooker, Herbie Hancock, Freddie Hubbard,Buddy Guy and Sting: he has performed on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno; together with the likes of Willie Nelson, Elton John, Johnny Mathis and many others. His television performances, film and video performances and discography are too vast to mention. GUITAR - Phil Upchurch The name Phil Upchurch is synonymous with Jazz guitar. Playing for over 40 years, Phil has recorded 24 solo albums. A studio musician for almost 35 years, Phil has recorded on over 1000 albums with every genre of artist from Julio Iglasis to Michael Jackson. He has also performed on movie soundtracks and more commercials than one could count. His  list of concerts and recordings include playing with Quincy Jones, Ramsey Lewis, George Benson, Jimmy Smith, Carmen McRae, Chaka Kahn, Joe Williams,  Herbie Hancock, Doctor John (this list could go on and on ad infinitum).  His discography also spans four decades and is voluminous. TRUMPET - Carl Saunders Coming from a major musical family, Carl started at an early age.  His mother, Gail Sherwood, was a singer and had her own radio show. Her piano player was Stan Kenton. She then played with his Big Band. Her brother Bobby also had a band. Auditioning for Stan Kenton at the age of 18, Carl went on the road with one of the Big Bands of the era.  Over the years he's worked with literally the Who's Who of music and  bands including Harry James, Maynard Ferguson, Betty Rich, Benny Goodman  and many others. He has played lead trumpet with the likes of Billy  Eckstine, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Robert Goulet, Paul Anka and  Ella Fitzgerald. Playing with many bands, he has also toured and recorded  with Horace Silver. In addition to his masterful playing, Carl is also a composer and has been writing in all genres including Blues, Ballads,  Sambas and more. SAXOPHONE and CLARINET - Louis Van Taylor Jr. Having been a supporting musician for legendary artists such as Ray  Charles, Bobby Womack and Sheila E., Lewis's playing has been referred  to as magical. In addition, he is extremely well known as an accomplished studio musician. His saxophone and flute can be heard on numerous television  and movie productions. Lewis has toured with the likes of Kool and the  Gang, Maxine Weldon, Ray Charles and many other very well known groups.  His ability to move from R&B inspired jazz through straight material  and into Acid Jazz is quite unique. As an arranger and composer, he  is fluent in all woodwinds. His discography spans a wide range of sounds  as do his studio, film and television work. TROMBONE - Phil Ranelin As a youth, Phil had the luck and privilege of playing in a band with  Freddie Hubbard. A couple of years later he was playing with Wes Montgomery and Paul Parker. This was some education. The list of important artists  he has played with is endless, but some of the highlights include: Ella Fitzgerald, Freddie Redd, Sara Vaughn, Freddie Hubbard, LarryGales,  Les McCann, Stanley Clarke, McCoy Tyner and many others. With an extensive  discography, Phil is also featured on a Clint Eastwood production of  "40 Years of Monterey Jazz." This includes Phil on trombone with Freddie Hubbard. Phil's original compositions are featured on another important  compilation and he is currently working with his own jazz ensemble. PIANO / ORGAN / KEYBOARDS - Howard McCrary With the unique ability to move easily from the world of Gospel into and back from Secular music, Howard is an award winning singer, songwriter,  producer and musician. Having worked with the likes of Quincy Jones,  Michael Jackson, Chaka Kahn, Edwin Hawkins and Andrae Crouch, he is loved by all. Having written for the likes of the Brooklyn Symphony  Orchestra and for animated features, Howard has also worked on everything in-between. Howard started as part of the family Gospel group known  as the McCrary's, and toured all over North America. The McCrary's toured with the Jackson's, Gladys Knight, The O'Jays and many others. In and out of Gospel, Howard even had the chance to work as musical director  for the Bakker's and got nominated for a Grammy for Best Male Gospel  performance. Shortly after, he received ASCAP'S Duke Ellington Award.  Showing his diverse talents, Howard became one of the California Raisins  and was featured on their four best-selling albums, latermoving into  arrangements for the Winan's. He always moved between Sacred and Secular and got to work on Michael Jackson's "Dangerous." Shortly after, Howard  was working with Chaka Kahn as keyboardist and musical director and toured with Chaka all over the world. More busy than ever, Howard is  also currently writing "Original Standards" together with Izzy. GUEST VOCALS - Gayle Moran Corea As the wife of multi Grammy award winning jazz pianist Chick Corea,  Gayle's life is extremely busy and has been for decades. Whether touring with Chick, singing with "Return to Forever," recording her own albums, volunteer working for various causes (including Narconon and the World  Literacy Crusade), you have to say that Gayle is busy with a capital  "B." There's no way to describe her beautiful voice and everyone who's  ever heard it, whether on her own albums or when she was singing with others or singing with Chick, always stopped dead in their tracks to  remark how unique this voice was. Trained in church and seasoned by decades of jazz performances, she is currently working on an album of duets with her most famous husband. Both Gayle and Chick have been long time friends of Izzy. Gayle and Izzy have played together on many occasions in club and casual settings. Gayle has always been amused by how well her voice and Izzy's, while sodifferent, sounded so well together. GUEST SAXOPHONE - Edgar Winter Long established in nearly all genre of music, composition and performance,  there aren't enough words to describe and give due credit to Edgar Winter  and his talent. A long-time friend of Izzy's, this is the first time that they have ever recorded together. Over the course of decades and dozens of albums, Edgar has written many major hits, toured extensively,  and performed Rock, Blues and Jazz, written for movies and commercials. One could go on and on. As one of the most highly renowned living musicians, Edgar continues to be everywhere performing, writing and arranging.  He is, as always, experimenting with new sounds and has always been influenced by the latest electronic developments. The list of people he has played with and for is endless. His discography is staggering.  His ability to move fluidly from keyboards to saxophone to singing is  unheard of. He and his wife Monique are always traveling and it was  very fortunate that Edgar could find some time to go into the studio  and record with Izzy. HARMONICA/BACKGROUND VOCALS - Linda Moss Linda started playing harmonica professionally at the age of 15 in Chicago, where she had been playing clarinet, oboe, and piano in the Chicago Youth Orchestra. Soon she was playing with bands in the Chicago blues scene opening and performing with many blues greats including Muddy Waters, Jr. Wells, Son Seals and James Cotten. Over the years, Linda has performed and recorded with a variety of artists inchuding Ashanti, John Lee Hooker, Chick Corea, Isaac Hayes, Melissa Ethridge, Phil Upchurch, Deacon Jones, Carl Anderson, Howard McCrary, Edgar Winter, Laura Allen, Sean Wiggins, Raven Kane, Gayle Moran, Glen Zotolla and many others. Linda also records regularly on various soundtracks and studio projects. VIOLIN - Karen Briggs With the ability to perform all forms of music including Gospel, Jazz, Classical, Pop and Latin, Karen has developed an unmistakably identifiable  and contemporary style. She has performed all over the world, including  a Carnegie Hall debut with piano accompanist Dave Gruisin. Having performed with the likes of Diana Ross, Stanley Clarke, the Wu Tang Clan, En Vogue,  Chaka Kahn, Juan Sebastian and others, she continues to amaze people  with her versatility. As the single most featured performer with world famous keyboardist/ composer Yanni, Karen has reached a huge fan base  after the television broadcast of "Live at the Acropolis" and received worldwide critical acclaim for her craft. ENGINEER - Jeff Worrell Jeff started his music career over 25 years ago landing a gig playing guitar for Natalie Cole. He then focused his sights on producing and engineering it was Edgar Winter who started Jeff in this direction, inviting him to co-engineer his "Not A Kid Anymore" CD. During this project Jeff discovered his talent for sonic perfectionism, passion, and precision. Jeff has recently recorded the boy group No Authority, the vocal a cappella group, Just 4 Kicks, pop artist Jennifer Perryman, singer-songwriter Ellen Smith, jazz and classical stylist Mimi Manners, country artist Mickey Micksell, teen artist Jeni B, as well as handling production and engineering duties with Parrot Media, Intn'l. In addition, he has recorded live CD's for Pat Benatar, Three Dog Night front man, Chuck Negron, and a new CD by former Bread drummer Mike Botts. GUEST VOCALS - Ayesha Sanaa Winning an array of awards, including several from the NAACP at various  competitions, Ayesha has performed in front of George Bush, the Mayor  of Houston and was soloist at the memorial services for Al Gore's father. Her recording career is now taking off and she is signed with Clef Records  and being produced by Wyclef Jean.