“Jazz will endure just as long as people hear it through the feet instead of their brains.”
                            -John Phillip Sousa

Tim Henry
Vocals and Piano

Tim Henry began playing nightclubs and recording in the Tulsa area at fifteen years old.  He went on his first tour at seventeen with Chubby Checker, The Shirelles, and the Coasters.  From the beginning, he played the Hammond B-3 organ and sang.

He studied jazz at the University of Tulsa, playing in the Jazz Workshop big band under the direction of Ron Predl.

Tim was a staff musician at Shelter Records in Tulsa which was owned by Leon Russell, Eric Clapton and George Harrison.  He was under contract with Skyhill Publishing, the publishing side of Shelter Records, for songwriting.

During the seventies Tim toured extensively throughout North America playing with his own band, as well as working with a diverse group of musicians including Lou Donaldson, Tina Turner, Jerry Jeff Walker, Freddie King, and Vassar Clements. 

 For the past thirty years, Tim has played jazz in the Wichita area.

Jerry Hahn
Guitar

Jerry is one of the most celebrated jazz guitarists of his generation.  Jerry Hahn has been a major name since the 1960s and 1970s for his de facto contribution to the emerging fusion movement. He began playing the guitar at age 7.  At age 11 he began playing professionally with the Bobby Wiley Rhythmaires, appearing daily on Wichita’s first television station KEDD.  At 21 he moved to San Francisco, where he joined the John Handy Quintet in 1964, recording two albums for Columbia Records including the critically acclaimed “Live at Monterey”. In 1967 he recorded his first album The Jerry Hahn Quintet for Arhoolie Records with Jack DeJohnette on drums.  In 1968, he joined the Gary Burton Quartet with Roy Haynes and Steve Swallow, recording three albums and toured the United States, Europe, Canada, and Japan.  Then, in 1970, he formed the Jerry Hahn Brotherhood, performing, touring, and recording for Columbia Records.  In his book “The Jazz Book”, German born jazz authority Joachim Berendt noted the Jerry Hahn Brotherhood as being one of the  “trailblazers of rock-jazz integration”.  Jerry also began to write a monthly column for Guitar Player magazine entitled “Jerry Hahn’s Guitar Seminar” which continued for five years. In 1972, Hahn went back to Wichita, Kansas, where he became a full-time member of the Wichita State University faculty and established the degree program in jazz guitar.  Hahn received a Doctor of Music degree from Berean Christian College in Long Beach, CA in 1983.  His formidable book and CD Complete Jerry Hahn Method For Jazz Guitar for Mel Bay Publications has been in publication since 1986. After fifteen years at WSU, he relocated to Portland Oregon, where he joined the Bennie Wallace Quartet, recording and touring the United States, Europe, and Japan.  The movie sound track for White Men Can’t Jump features Jerry’s guitar playing.  In 1992 he moved to Denver, Colorado where he taught at the Colorado Institute of Art and performed, toured, and recorded with Ginger Baker (drummer with “Cream”).  In 1995, Hahn joined the faculty of Portland State University and developed the curriculum for the Jazz Guitar program.  In addition to teaching all of the jazz guitar students, coaching guitar ensembles and jazz combos at PSU, Jerry continued to perform, record, tour, and conduct clinics at Universities and schools.   Jerry has moved to Lenexa, KS (near Kansas City) to be with family and work on new publications and recordings.   Jerry Hahn, the innovative and dedicated musician, is one of the favorites of a younger generation of guitarists, including  Bill Frisell, Larry Coryell, John Abercrombie, Pat Metheny, and Grant Geissman, all of whom have acknowledged Hahn’s influence.  

Bill Caldwell
Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet

Bill Caldwell is a native Wichitan. Bill graduated from Southeast High School. He studied Music Performance at Wichita State University then transferred to the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music to continue his double performance major in clarinet and tenor saxophone. After college, Bill launched into his solo career, which led to performances on six continents. He performed with Karryn Allison, Jerry Bergonzi, Megan Birdsall, Bob Bowman, Randy Brecker, Richard Bruton, Joe Cartwright, Buddy DeFranco, Everette DeVan, Gary Foster, Dan Gailey, Tim Hagans, Jerry Hahn, Steve Houghton, Carmel Jones, Stan Kessler, Russ Long, Kevin Mahogany, Frank Mantooth, Ida McBeth, Michael McGraw, Mike Metheny, Tommy Ruskin, Bobby Shew, Gary Sivils, Marvin Stamm, Todd Strait, Clark Terry, Donna Tucker, Rick VanMatre, Bobby Watson, and Matt Wilson. Currently, Bill Caldwell performs locally at Clifton Wine and Jazz Bar, Luciano's, Suede, and Yia Yias. His can also be found teaching Jazz Arts I, Jazz Improvisation, and Saxophone lessons at Wichita State University.

Adjunct Professor: University of Missouri at Kansas City (1986)

Big Bands, Jazz Combos, and Jazz Recordings (CDs): Vince Bilardo, Megan Birdsall – “Little Jazz Bird” (2009), Blue Wisp Big Band, Bill Caldwell and Friends, City Light Orchestra, Tommy Dorsey Big Band with Buddy Morrow, the Warren Durrett Big Band, Denny Dusek and A Touch of Class, Newt Graber Big Band, Woody Herman Big Band, The Kansas City Boulevard Big Band – “Kansas City Boulevard Big Band” (1994), “Stellar” (1996) and “Take Only For Pain” (2004), Kansas City Spirit Orchestra – “Dreams Come True” (1991), The Bobby Layne Big Band, The Mike Metheny Quintet – “Close Enough for Love” (2001), Glenn Miller Orchestra, Steve Miller Big Band, Tim Henry and Friends, Kerry Strayer Big Band – “Christmas in Kansas City” (2006), Kerry Strayer New Kansas City Seven, Jim Widener Big Band, and the Wichita State University Faculty Jazz Quintet.

Live Production Shows and Recordings (CDs): Natalie Cole, Cunard Cruise Line - The Queen Victoria, Marvin Hamlisch, The Lennon Brothers with Gail Lennon [Bandleader for 10 seasons, “The 9:30 Special” (2001), “Swing Sandwich” (2000)], Leslie Gore, Peter Noone, Kenny Rogers, The Showboat Branson Belle, The Temptations and the Four Tops, Bobby Vinton, The Lawrence Welk Orchestra, Music Theater of Wichita (The Producers, Kiss Me Kate) Princess Cruises: the Emerald, the Grand, the Sea, and the Pacific Princess World Cruise and numerous ‘trade’ shows in Wichita, Kansas City, Branson, Omaha, and throughout the Midwest.

Special Honors and Recognitions: Branson Entertainment Awards “Best Saxophonist”, Downbeat Magazine “Best Jazz Combo”, JAM magazine, Ohio Collegiate All Star Big Band, President Ronald Reagan's Second Inaugural Ball

Seth Carrithers
Bass

Seth’s work is truly spectacular.  He has been hailed one of the best bass musicians in the midwest.  His work is quickly developing a widespread notoriety and acclaim.  Seth is a native of Wichita, KS and continues to reside in the Air Capital.  He has played double bass for over 20 years and has played professionally for over 15.  He has been a staff musician for his church for the last 10.  In addition to double bass Seth also plays electric bass and guitar.  Seth is currently teaching private lessons for all three at the Damm Music Center in Wichita.  He has been there for the last five years.

Jeff Stidham
Drums

Jeff has played the drums for over 15 years and currently.  He has played everything from Gospel and Jazz to Funk and Classics.  His work is truly extraordinary.

Jeff’s talent has taken him to Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Kansas City, among others.  He is currently percussion lead for his local church located in Wichita, KS.