Bassist Chuck Hall was born in the Detroit area and spent his childhood listening to his mother play piano in church and direct the choir. His musical interests began to blossom at age twelve when, along with three childhood friends, he formed his first band called The Mark IV. The group was greatly influenced by the Motown sound, the Beatles and a host of other popular groups. Although the group disbanded when Chuck was fifteen, his passion for the bass prompted him to continue to work with other groups throughout his high school years. It was also at this time that Chuck was introduced to the acoustic bass and, as a result of his singular focus to learn this challenging instrument, Chuck quickly became the principal bassist in his high school orchestra, a chair he held until graduation. During his college years, Chuck provided the bass foundation for several Michigan jazz bands. He also continued his studies with famed New York jazz/classical bassist Ned Mann. He cites Ray Brown, Sam Jones and Buster Williams as major influences in his own musical development. Chuck has performed with a variety of jazz musicians from Michigan Îs finest to jazz legends Dizzy Gillespie, Johnny Griffin and Freddie Hubbard. His resonant sound, dexterity and technique have provided a strong and soulful foundation for the Jeff Haas Trio since 1992.

Alex Trajano was born in the Detroit area and began studying drums in elementary school. He was involved in a variety of musical endeavors throughout high school. Alex received his bachelors degree in jazz studies and contemporary media from Wayne State University. His diverse musical knowledge and eclectic, versatile and very personal performing style has provided the rhythmic foundation for a variety of groups from be-bop, r&b and rock to Latin, free and straight ahead jazz. Alex has performed with many of Michiganâs finest jazz musicians such as Rodney Whitaker, James Carter, Wendall Harrison, Sheila Landis and Larry Nozero. He has also performed extensively with the Detroit Metro Symphony Orchestra, the Howling Diablos, Twistin Tarantulas and Thornetta Davis. Alex is a founding and active member of Blue Dog, a popular Detroit-based band whose recordings are available on Knitting Factory Records. Alex is CEO of Thrilla Park Studios, a state-of-the-art recording studio in Clawson, Michigan. He has provided the percussive drive and pulse for the Jeff Haas Trio since 1996.

AND FRIENDS

Trumpeter, flugelhornist and educator Marcus Belgrave was born into a family of musicians in Chester, Pennsylvania. He began playing the trumpet at the age of six and started a collaboration with Ray Charles at the age of eighteen that lasted over a decade. During the course of his distinguished career, Marcus has performed and recorded with many jazz luminaries including Ella Fitzgerald, Max Roach, Charles Mingus, Ron Carter, Bud Powell, Cedar Walton, Tony Bennett, Eric Dolphy, Aretha Franklin, Sammy Davis Jr., Tommy Flanagan, Barry Harris, McCoy Tyner and Dizzy Gillespie.

Marcus is also internationally known for his dedication to educational activities. He is co-founder of the Jazz Studies Programs at the Detroit Metro Arts Complex, was the original faculty member of the Oakland University Jazz Studies Program and founded the Jazz Development Workshop in Detroit. Among the many talented musicians who have studied with Marcus are internationally renown pianist Geri Allen, saxophonist Kenny Garrett and bassist Robert Hurst of the Wynton Marsalis Quartet and the Tonight Show Band. Despite Marcusâ busy performance schedule, he is involved in teaching at university programs all over the world. His lifelong commitment to the performance and education of jazz has resulted in many awards such as the 1991 Arts Midwest Jazz Master Award, the 1994 Michigan Governorâs Arts Award and the 1995 Louis Armstrong Award.

The last two decades have found Marcus in the busiest and most productive time in his life. He continues to perform all over the world at Jazz festivals, premier clubs and concert venues in both big bands and small ensembles and as a featured artist on dozens of recordings. Marcus occasionally tours with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra of which he is an original member and featured soloist. As a member of the Michigan Jazz Masters, he has toured Africa and the Middle East. Marcus is touring worldwide with his Louis Armstrong Tribute Band, performing Satchmoâs original arrangements. He is currently director of the Detroit Symphony Orchestraâs Civic Jazz Orchestra and a professor of jazz studies at Oberlin College. Marcus has been performing with the Jeff Haas Trio since 1996.

Multi-instrumentalist Rob Smith received his bachelors of arts in trumpet performance from Central Michigan University and masters of music in jazz studies from the University of North Texas where he was jazz trumpet soloist with the world-renowned One OâClock Lab Band. In 1990, Rob toured the United States and Canada with the Woody Herman Orchestra with whom he still tours on occasion. In 1991, Rob performed and recorded with jazz luminary organist Charles Earland performing on trumpet well as soprano and tenor saxophone. In the fall of 1992, he accepted a position as professor of jazz trumpet at St. Xavier University in Nova Scotia, a job he held for three years. He has also taught at Michigan State University and currently a professor of jazz studies at Central Michigan University. Robâs performance and recording experience includes many different styles of music ranging from jazz to Latin music. He can be heard on recordings by the One OâClock Lab Band from 1987-1989 and has also produced four jazz CDs as leader. He regularly tours worldwide as a featured soloist for the Woody Herman Orchestra. Rob has been performing with the Jeff Haas Trio since 1996.