| Member Since | 5/11/2007 | | Band Website | music.txstate.edu/facultystaff/bios/ | | Band Members |
 Hank Hehmsoth -keys "After playing piano for 51 years I have had a fortunate and varied background of experience and knowledge. I want to infuse the enthusiasm and love I have for music to all that can listen." Hank has performed and toured with Bonnie Raitt, Fleetwood Mac ("Tusk" tour), The Eagles ("The Long Run" tour), Christopher Cross, Beverly Sills, Bob Hope, Chuck Berry, Count Basie, JoAnne Worley, Mikhael Baryshnikov, Nelson Riddle Orchestra, Red Skelton, Joe Henderson, Sid Caesar & Imogene Coca, Bob Newhart, Cirque du Soleil, and Steve Allen.
 Dr. John Mills - sax/flute is a composer/arranger and saxophonist active in a wide range of concert and studio projects. Within the last year he has worked with such internationally renowned artists as David Byrne, the Maria Schneider Orchestra, Dr. John and Bonnie Raitt. His recent writing includes jazz compositions published by Walrus Music, orchestral arrangements for the Austin Pops, and a Broadway-style musical that is touring nationally in the spring of 2007. Formerly a member of the Texas State music faculty, Mills is currently an Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at UT-Austin.
 Spencer Starnes - bass - Austin Bass Player /Producer /Engineer. Owner/Manager of Bee Creek Studio. "I have been fortunate to have recorded and performed with numerous notable artists over the years. Currently I am very happy to be playing with and learning from some of the best players I have ever worked with."
Stephen Summer - drums, has played music for over 30 years. He has worked and recorded with a diverse group of folks from Kirk Whalum and Bob James to Tony Campise and Beto and the Fairlanes. Stephen attended Southwest Texas State on a music scholarship and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1992. He received a Masters in Music from UT in 1995 and a law degree from South Texas College of Law in 2000. Currently, he still performs on a regular basis, practices entertainment law in Austin, sits on the board of directors for the Austin Music Union, Local 433 and is President of the Austin Jazz Society.
 James T. Fenner, Jr. - percussion, was born and raised in East Orange, New Jersey and attended Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia. His musical ability is a God-given gift. His passion and love for congas and percussion instruments began at the age of 13. James currently is Percussionist for the Music Ministry at the Mt. Sinai Baptist Church. From the late 1970s until the early 1980's, he performed with recording artist Christopher Cross. During that time he also performed with the soul band, Epitaph and the jazz/fusion group, James Polk/Passenger. As a studio musician he has recorded with Grammy Award Winner, Eric Johnson and gospel singer, Chester D.T. Baldwin. In addition, he has performed at the White House on three occasions with classical guitarist Tony Morris and Friends. James has been married for 28 years and has four children and five grandchildren. | | Influences | Bird, Monk, Miles, Chick, Cannonball, Arthur Rubinstein, Lester, Trane, Herbie, Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans, Donald Fagen, Igor Stravinsky, Bach, Ravel, Yellowjackets, Chopin, Mozart, Duke Ellington, Fourplay, Paul Desmond, Phil Woods, Dave Grusin, Alan Pasqua, Basie, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Lee Ritenour, Beethoven, Pat Metheny, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Pete Magadini, Art Tatum, Brahms, Scriabin, Jerry Goldsmith, Ornette Coleman, Paco de Luci´a, Vladimir Horowitz, Tom Scott, Lalo Schifrin, Stan Getz, Alfred Brendel, Joe Henderson (played with Joe in the '80's - see my video!), Freddie Hubbard (played with Freddie at Antone's - late '70's), Jaco Pastorious, (played with Jaco in LA in the '80's), Oscar Peterson, Zappa, McCoy Tyner, Joshua Bell, John Patitucci, Michael McDonald (he sang on Christopher Cross's first album), Captain Beefheart, Santana, Led Zeppelin (we opened for them in 1968 in Austin w/ Flash), Jimi Hendrix | | Record Label | Indie | | Type of Label | Indie |
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