Brian Casserly, who also goes by the name "Big B" plays trumpet, trombone and is also a vocalist with the band. A professional musician since the age of 14, Brian has played for many greats in the music business, including TonyBennett, Tex Beneke, Stan Kenton, Chuck Berry and even Tiny Tim. He has also played the prestigious Monterey Pops Festival for several years. An in-demand session musician, Brian has performed in many commercials, recordings and musicals in the U.S. and Canada and is the past musical director for the S.S. Admiral, a riverboat on the St. Louis riverfront. After touring the U.S. and Europe for several years with his own jazz band and a St. Louis-based blues band, he decided to devote his musical talents entirely to traditional jazz, playing concerts and festivals as well as recording with several St. Louis bands.

Jerry Epperson's professional career began in 1959 performing in local dance bands, and continued at Truman State University playing in traditional jazz and contemporary jazz bands. He was fortunate enough to have the chance to meet Louis Armstrong at this time. Trained in classical music, Jerry was a music educator for several years, and was active in several area jazz bands. During the late '60s, Jerry was aided by local legend Buddy Moreno in getting established in the St. Louis area. During the past few years, he has performed with The Dixieland Rhythm Kings, Bob Havens, New Orleans' Wes Mix, and many others. Jerry makes frequent appearances at jazz festivals, and performs regularly in the St. Louis area.

Brett Stamps has been the Director of Jazz Activities at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville since he initiated the Jazz Performance Degree in 1979. He obtained his BA in Music from the College of William and Mary (1970) and his MM in Studio Music and Jazz Pedagogy from the University of Miami (1975). He currently holds the rank of Professor of Music. Brett performed, recorded and arranged for the United States Army Field Band Jazz Ambassadors (1970-1973), the Stan Kenton Orchestra (1973-1974), and the University of Miami Concert Jazz Band (1974-1978) before accepting a teaching position at Miami-Dade Community College New World Center (1978-1979). St. Louis area performance credits include the Jim Widner, Kim Portnoy, Mo Bottom and Gary Dammer Big Bands; Fox Theater & MUNY Orchestras; the St. Louis Rivermen; Cornet Chop Suey, Legacy; Galaxy; the SIUE Jazz Faculty; and various clinics, concerts and recordings (including his new CD release In Your Own Sweet Way for Victoria Records). He directs the SIUE Concert Jazz Band and teaches jazz combo, improvisation, arranging, trombone, education, and history. Brett remains active as a composer/arranger and clinician. Past endeavors include directing Missouri and Illinois All-State/All-District Jazz Bands, presenting trombone ensemble masterclasses (USF), writing music commissioned by the IMEA, private individuals and local schools, directing annual concerts of his original music at the historic Sheldon Concert Hall in St. Louis, writing for trombone quintet, touring nationally with Cornet Chop Suey and the St. Louis Rivermen and teaching/performing at the Jim Widner Band Camps.

Rick Zelle has been a freelance pianist/keyboardist in the St. Louis area since 1975. He also teaches privately in his home and is on the faculty of The Community Music School of Webster University.

Rick can be heard on many recordings in various genres, including his own solo CD, �I�ve Got the World on a String� (2002). He has also had the opportunity to work with legendary performers such as Danny Seraphine, Oliver, Doby Gray, Henny Youngman, Jim Chapin (two CDs), Tommy Dorsey Band, as well as opening for Chuck Berry, Confederate Railroad, Frank Sinatra, Jr. and Maynard Ferguson.

Jay Hungerford received his degree in Music Education from SIU-C. He performs at jazz festivals and clinics across the country. He has taught at the University of Missouri - St. Louis, Fontbonne College, Meramac College, Missouri Baptist University and has been a member of the Webster University Jazz Faculty in St. Louis MO for over 2 decades. Jay was acknowledged as "Best Local Bassist" by the Riverfront Times, St. Louis. Concerts include performances with Herb Ellis, Mundell Lowe, Bill Charlap, Buddy Defranco, Richie Cole, Scott Hamilton, Chris Potter, Roger Williams, Vanessa Rubin, Maynard Ferguson, Bill Watrous, Eddie Higgins, Warren Vache, Howard Alden, Ralph Sutton, Jay McShann, Carl Fontana, Jake Hanna, Butch Miles, Grady Tate, Joe Ascione, Johnny Varro, Bob Draga, Mike Vax, Bobby Shew, Tom Hook, The St Louis Symphony, including the Carnegie Hall premiere of William Bolcom�s �Songs of Innocence and Experience.� Jay is also a member of the St. Louis "Fox Orchestra" and has performed with over 23 national tours. He has over 60 recordings to his credit including 26 Integrity Worship recordings. Jay co-wrote, singing legend, Patti Page's last top 100 hit song - "My Man Friday". Using the exact methods and lesson plans found in his book, Walking Jazz Lines For Bass, Jay has produced a variety of proteges who have since gone on to acclaim and notoriety, not limited to Avishai Cohen (Chick Corea, International Vamp Band), Neil Caine (Harry Connick, Jr.), and Justin Corgan (Devon Allman Project). Jay is a member of the worship team at Grace Church in Maryland Heights, MO.

Dick "Spanky" Maley - Drums & Vocals, our newest member, was born in Washington, D.C. He attended Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music in Winchester, Va. After college Dick performed in the pit orchestra at �Kings Dominion� amusement park in Doswell, VA., and �Kings Island� amusement park in Cincinnatti, OH. Dick moved to New Orleans, LA in 1978 at the ripe old age of 22, where he performed in many notable night clubs on Bourbon Street with the �New Dixie Zing Kings� Dixieland show band. 1980 saw Dick move to Clearwater, Florida where he started honing in on his jazz skills under the tutelage of many great jazz artists such as Al Hirt, Pete Fountain, Bill Allred, Tom Saunders, Chuck Hedges, Henry Cuesta, John Davidson, Pieter Meijer Quartet, Bob Draga, Mike Vax, Bob Havens, Johnnie Varro, The Guy Lombardo Orchestra, The Peter Graves Orchestra and Ms. Connie Haines, to name a few. Dick �Spanky� Maley presently resides in Lakeland, Fl. just outside Orlando where he performed for the Walt Disney Company, as well as performing in many local and international jazz Festivals with �Wally�s Warehouse Waifs� from Michigan. Dick currently performs in Florida with his 8 piece group �WYSIWYG� along with his 18 piece big band at local concerts and festivals.