World-class trombonist and educator Andy Martin comes from a musical family. His career began in his teens and Andy has developed a wonderful technique and virtuosity. He was quick to appear on the LA music scene, and has taught countless young musicians. Andy has appeared as a guest artist and clinician at many colleges and universities. He is an adjunct instructor in jazz studies at the USC Thornton’s School of Music. Andy has been a leader/co-leader on 12 albums, has been a sideman on over 300 albums, and is the paramount trombonist in LA. Andy has collaborated with Carl Fontana, Pete Christlieb, Bobby Shew, Eric Marienthal, Stanley Turrentine, Horace Silver, big band leader Vic Martin, and has played lead trombone and been the featured soloist on virtually every big band in LA. Andy is the lead trombonist and featured soloist with Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, played 15 years with Bill Holman’s Big Band, and has played in the big bands of Tom Kubis, Jack Sheldon, Louie Bellson, Quincy Jones, Matt Cattingub, Bob Curnow, Patrick Williams, and Sammy Nestico. Andy is a prominent musician on numerous commercial recordings, TV shows, motion picture soundtracks, and live theatre. Andy has worked with the Pussycat Dolls, Coldplay, and Michael Buble. Andy has performed on the major award shows that include the Grammy’s, Emmy’s, Acadamy’s, Golden Globes, and the Screen Actors Guild. Andy has performed on Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, TV’s Family Guy, American Dad, and King of the Hill. In total Andy has appeared on over 150 major films.

Trombonist, composer, arranger, and clinician Francisco Torres has played in many genres of music including jazz, classical, Latin, funk, reggae, ska, and studio work. Francisco has been a part of 3 Grammy Award winning records, 5 Grammy and Latin Grammy nominations, for Best Latin Jazz Album, and is the musical director for the Grammy Award winning Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band. Francisco is also a member of the big bands of Gordon Goodwin, John Beasley, and Clare Fischer. Francisco has recorded with over 50 different artists, and performed on TV shows, movie soundtracks, and numerous award shows. Francisco has played with the big bands of Bill Holman, Bob Mintzer, Sammy Nestico, Bill Cunliffe, Budman/Levy, Emil Richards, Frank Capp, Gerald Wilson, Gregg Field, and Tom Kubis. Francisco’s influences include Carl Fontana, Frank Rosolino, Andy Martin, Hal Crook, Barry Rogers, Generoso Jimenez, and Leopoldo Pineda. Francisco is an in-demand arranger, clinician, guest artist, and was named the director of the SCSBOA High School All-Star Jazz Band. Francisco has been commissioned to arrange and compose for high schools and universities, and created and conceived Jazz on the Latin Side All-Stars with Jose Rizo, assembling some of the best Latin Jazz musicians in LA.

Drummer Jimmy Branly grew up in Cuba, and studied at the Conservatory of Music in Havana’s Adolpho Guzman, and the ENA (National School of Arts). Jimmy started playing at the age of 15 with the Cuarto Espacio Band, with the Afro Acuba Band, with singer Natalie Cole, with the Cuban-Salsa-Timba Band which included Issac Delgado and NGLA Banda. Jimmy toured with pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba, and twenty years ago moved to LA where he has performed with over 50 different music artists. Jimmy recorded one album with Abe Laborial, and Otmaro Ruiz. He performed a Latin music presentation for President Obama at the White House 5 years ago. Jimmy currently is working on sound and video projects.

Classically and street trained percussionist Joey De Leon has played bongos, timbalero, and drums with Poncho Sanchez’s Latin Jazz Band. Joey has a degree from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music. Joey comes from a legacy of well-known musicians in the Latin music genre. His father was a founding member of New York City Salsa, Bobby Rodriguez y Compania, and his uncle was an all-around percussionist. Joey is a member of the Grammy Award winning Arturo Sandoval LA All-Star Band, and West Coast Sextet. Joey is a member of Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, and plays with numerous top LA session musicians, showing his wide array of diverse percussion talents.

Pianist, arranger, and composer Max Haymer began classical music at the age of 7, and jazz at the age of 14. He has studied with pianist Tamir Hendelman, Kei Akagi, Darek Oles, Bobby Rodriguez, Sherman Ferguson, and musical theatre with Dr. Gary Busby. Max received his degree and Magna Cum Laude at UC Irvine. Max has won second place at the Montreux Jazz Festival Solo Piano Competition, and the Great American Jazz Piano Competition in Florida. Max was a finalist in the Horace Silver Piano Competition, and the UWF Phillips Jazz Piano Competition. Max received New Rising Star Recognition by the Orange County Performing Arts Center. For the last dozen years Max has played and recorded with numerous jazz artists in both LA and New York jazz clubs. Max was selected as the musical director for the Music Theatre of Connecticut, and was a score coordinator for the documentary CubAmerican under composer Carlos Alvarez. Max has toured with trumpeter Arturo Sandoval at prestigious jazz festivals, and concert halls. Max has recorded one CD entitled “Pickpocket Witness”.

Bassist Ahmet Sazin is an outstanding player in the Southern California area rounding out the group.