Jazz septet, original four-horn arrangements featuring inventive post-bop improvisation.
Jeff Helgesen (leader, trumpet/flugelhorn), is a freelance musician based in Champaign, Illinois, who toured and recorded with the Ray Charles Orchestra from 1987-1990. He maintains an active performing schedule in central Illinois and leads several jazz ensembles in addition to Jazz Mayhem.
Thomas "Shab" Wirtel (trumpet, flugelhorn, arranger), an alumnus of the Stan Kenton Orchestra, has arranged for and recorded with several big bands, including the Dallas Jazz Orchestra, the Jazz Members Big Band of Chicago, and the big bands of the North Texas State University and the University of Illinois (amongst others). Currently based in Urbana, Illinois, he maintains an active teaching, arranging, and conducting schedule.
Chip McNeill (tenor saxophone, arranger) is associate professor and chair of jazz at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Professor McNeill is the musical director and jazz tenor saxophonist for Grammy award-winning recording artist Arturo Sandoval, and also has worked closely with legendary jazz trumpeter Maynard Ferguson. In addition to recording with Sandoval and Ferguson, McNeill has recorded with such musicians as Nat Adderley, David Liebman, Duffy Jackson, Ira Sullivan, The Woody Herman Orchestra, Ted Shumate and Larry Willis.
Morgan Powell (trombone) is an award-winning composer and jazz trombonist whose works are performed internationally. A member of the North Texas State University O'Clock Jazz Band in the late 1950s, Powell's primary compositional interests are in the areas of instrumental and vocal music; he explores the rich and complex components of improvisation and the spirit and elements of jazz, together with "New Music" compositional concepts, techniques and notation.
Tom Paynter (piano, arranger), received his Ph.D. in composition from the University of Chicago, and is a prolific composer and arranger, currently based in Urbana, Illinois.
Paul Musser (bass), now based at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, received his DMA in Jazz Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Gary Peyton (drums) is a research chemist based in Champaign, Illinois. Peyton has performed with many jazz groups and is a product of the North Texas State University One O'Clock Jazz Band where he played together with Wirtel and Powell in the early 1960's.
