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Lynn Willard-a gifted pianist,organist,keyboardist & synthesist/performer,composer/arr. & teacher -lynn has an illustrious background in many styles.Currently living in S.D. since '92,L. is a cofounder and original member of ESP-the versatile Miles Davis inspired quintet which was formed around it's core trio of players,all moving from Iowa to Cali at various times in the '70's! This band continues today,15 yrs.later,to make exciting widely varied music,w/Lynn playing piano & synth.since its'inception & ESP regularly performs at Dizzy's in downtown S.D. L.'s other group activities include Warren Lovell's 10 pc.little big band Big Time Operator,Bruce Cameron's Latin Quintet and Evona Wascinski's'Escencia'4tet. In a duo setting Lynn works w/Tokeli Mushovic(also quintet),Sacha Boutros & Amelia Browning.In trio's-L.plays w/Gary LeFebvre & Bob Magnussen,Jesse Davis & Pat Burke & John Walters & Jim Weiss. Lynn's also known for his latin playing,both Cuban,Brazilian,as well as Caribbean.He's played on 13 CD projects & 3 of his most recent sessions were w/Steve Feierabend,Jack Costanzo & Russell Bizzett. ..His other latin small group recordings included Glen Fisher's Con Alma and Gomango Invasion & also the Brazilian jazz project Band w/Mario Raposo.Lynn was also a later member of Storm, Jaime Valle's Eqinox and Bill Caballero's eSoeS Orchestra & the binational mambo Orchestra as well as Gilbert Castellanos'Latin Trumpet Summit and latin quintet.He's also feature on Dave Scott's latest recordings.And his newest project is his Mac laptop music software writing collaborations w/alto/EWI artist Nate Souders,soon to become the band-EEO!

Mitch Manker was born and raised in the Chicago area and started playing the trumpet in seventh grade.  After playing with various Rock and Jazz Rock bands in Chicago and Iowa City, Iowa he moved to San Diego, California in 1977 and worked with the late, great Ella Ruth Piggee.  In 1980 and 81 Mr. Manker traveled on two world tours with Ray Charles and was recorded on four of Mr. Charles’ records.  He can be also be seen on the video An Evening with Ray Charles with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.  On his early influences he recalled: “Shortly after I started playing, my parents took me out to see Ramsey Lewis.  A few weeks later I saw Clark Terry and that was it!  I knew what I wanted to do.”               In 1985 he began experimenting with one of Nyle Steiner’s EVI wind synthesizer prototypes.  He can be heard on Fattburger’s Living in Paradise playing that instrument. In 1995 Manker co-wrote and performed two songs on Fattburgers On a Roll (Sin-Drome Records) which peaked at 5 in Billboard the week of 3/8/93, and 3 in Gavin, and R & R!               Mitch Manker is currently playing live in the Southern California area with his own two highly groups, ESP and Gringo Floyd.  He also plays in Corporate Rock/Dance bands performing for Fortune 500 companies worldwide.  In addition, Mitch performs with Third Force, al All-Star Smooth Jazz group featuring Tom Scott, Jimmy Sommers, Craig Caquico, and Grant Geissmann at Jazz Festivals across the country.  Third Force’s current album, Gentle Force is enjoying heavy international airplay and features Manker’s abundant talents.               In 2000 and 2001, Mitch toured and recorded with The Januaries who have received much critical acclaim.  The Januaries were twice nominated for “Best Pop Band” by the Los Angeles Weekly.  During this period Mitch also toured and performed with Hootie and the Blowfish.  In January of 2003 Mitch appeared on SoulTrain, the TV show with Darius Rucker (the Hootie Singer) in support of Mr. Rucker’s new Urban Format solo record.    Mitch Manker also does many recording sessions on album projects, jingles, radio station ID Packages, film scores and cues (The Cable Guy starring Jim Carrey, Oliver Stone’s Any Given Sunday, Goodbye Lover, and Potluck among others) using the Pocket Trumpet, trumpet, flugelhorn, or his EVI for stylized treatment of melodies.    To see more information on his work input Mitch Manker on the Google search engine, or input his name on allmusic.com.  Mitch also carries a Clinician Level Endorsement with Martin Trumpets, Miles Davis’ favorite brand.   Mitch co-arranged, with John Simon (Simon & Garfunkel, The Band), horn charts for A.J. Croce’s debut album on Private Music. He is also featured on that album along with Jim Keltner, Ron Carter, Robben Ford, Snooky Young (NBC Orchestra) Marshall Royal (Count Basie), Bill Reichenbach, Chuck Findley, Benmont Tench (Tom Petty), and Tim Drummond (James Brown).  That band appeared on The Tonight Show in October ’93 and was seen in special segments taped at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas for ESPN and Entertainment Tonight.   Mitch Manker appears on A.J.’s second album for Private Music where he is featured with Robben Ford.  Mitch is also featured on Evan Mark’s debut CD for Verve/Forcast with Jeff Lorber.  In late 1994 he completed construction of a professional studio in his home where he composes and produces original music.   Mitch was part of the writing and performance team that produced the soundtrack for the KPBS documentary on surfing entitled The Liquid Stage.  The production won an Emmy Award for it’s music.   “…Manker has evolved into one of the finest trumpeters on the West Coast, period.”             -George Varga, San Diego Union Tribune  

Gary Nieves began playing the drums at age six. He has been playing professionally in the San Diego area for more than 30 years. Gary is accomplished in a wide range of styles and has performed with many San Diego artists over the years. Some of these include: members of the group "Fattburger", Hollis Gentry, Peter Sprague, Tripp Sprague, Bruce Cameron, Joe Marrillo, Bill Coleman, Haute Chile, The Rhythm Makers, Fish and the Seaweeds, Jeff Moore and the Witchdoctors, Private Domain, the Mirage Orchestra, the San Diego Concert Jazz Band, and many others. In addition to a busy performing schedule, Gary also teaches privately and maintains a full roster of students.

Saxophonist/Composer. Active in Latin Jazz, Salsa, Straight Ahead, and Blues in the San Diego area. Contributes writing in the band and considers Wayne Shorter to be his biggest musical influence, as well as Coltrane, Stravinsky, Copland, and Hendrix. He greatly admires the playing of David Sanchez and the writing of Maria Schneider.

Dave played bass with AJ Croce for 10 years playing dozens of television and radio shows as well as hundreds of concerts and festivals worldwide. He writes, arranges and plays bass, guitar and keys. He's performed /recorded with Peter Sprague, Wayne Johnson, Lamont Johnson, Billy Thompson, Shep Meyers, Ivan Neville, Elvin Bishop, Dan Papaila,Hollis Gentry III and Sean and Sara Watkins.