Steve Britt, a native of St Louis, is a jazz educator and musician. He started playing professionally while still in high school with the St. Louis Sessions Jazz Band and is recognized for his big tenor sound, which earned him the nickname “Texas Tenor.” Steve earned his undergraduate degree from Graceland University and his Master's Degree from UNI. Additionally, Steve attended the Jazz at Lincoln Center Band Director Academy in New York in 2011. Steve’s work as an educator brings him the most joy and has gained him notoriety as one of Iowa’s music educators; he was selected to present at the IMEA Conference in 2024 and 2025. Currently, Steve is in his eighteenth year of teaching. From 2002 through 2012, Steve taught 6-8 bands and led the jazz program in Harlan, where he earned a reputation as a consistent jazz powerhouse. Under his direction, the Harlan Jazz Experience won the Jazz Championships for four consecutive years and placed in the top two eight times in his ten years. He is currently teaching the 7/8 band at Oak View for the Dallas Center-Grimes School District. Steve also directs the freshman band for the Drake Honor Jazz Band Festival. When he's not teaching, Steve enjoys playing  in big bands and combos. He is a former member of the Prairie Cats, a jump swing group based in Omaha, and currently plays lead tenor with the CJC Jazz Band and directs the CJC Jam Session. He was the recipient of the CJC Jazz Hall of Fame in 2024. He also fills in with various groups in the Des Moines Metro. He also enjoys spending time with his wife, Kirsten, and four children.  

Clinician and teacher, Chris Clausen, returned in 2022 to Central Iowa after teaching and playing professionally in the St. Louis area for 27 years. His drum credits in Missouri include several recordings in various styles, most notably a Grammy-nominated fusion album by Rik Galliano, and a two year stint as drummer for St. Louis’ historic Gateway City Big Band.  He also has played live with such jazz notables as Willie Thomas, Mike Metheny, Ted Nash, Ryan Kisor, Tim Hagans and Danilo Perez. In 2024 he formed the community-focused Thankful Band Jazz Trio, and is also the current drummer for the Des Moines Big Band. Chris plays and teaches clinics frequently throughout central Iowa.

Antonio Garza is an active trumpet player based in Des Moines, Iowa. Garza performs regularly with the Des Moines Big Band, the Turner Center Jazz Orchestra, the Paul Lichty Jazz Orchestra, Orquesta Alto Maiz (The Salsa Band), 10 of Soul, and numerous productions at Noce. Some of his performances of note are with The Temptations, The Four Tops, Tito Puente Jr, and the national tour of ‘MJ: The Musical.’

Aside from freelance work, Garza's appeared as a guest artist/clinician with the Carlisle (IA) Middle and High School Jazz Bands, the Culver-Stockton College (MO) Jazz Festival, the Wartburg Jazz Knightliters, and the UNI Jazz Panthers.

Paul Lichty has become one of Des Moines’ most prolific freelance trombonists, composers, and arrangers since moving there in 2020. Now the bandleader of the Paul Lichty Jazz Orchestra (PLJO), jazz chair of the Iowa Pride Ensembles, music director for "The Domita Show" and trombonist for "BYOBrass," Paul balances these duties while also working as a band director at Winterset Junior High School and trombone instructor at the Creative Music Studio. PLJO’s first album, “Dark Soul”, was released in 2021 and can be found on all streaming platforms, BandCamp, as well as Paul’s website. BYOBrass' second album, "Breathe", was released in 2025 and features several of his newest arrangements and compositions. In 2024, Paul was recipient of the CJC Des Moines Hall of Fame "Next Generation" award which recognizes an up-and-coming musician who has made an impact on the music scene in Des Moines. Paul's full bio can be found at his website at paullichtymusic.com.

Pianist, composer/arranger, and French Hornist Nick Rueckert, a native of Minneapolis, Minnesota, has lived in Iowa and performed throughout the Midwest since completing his undergraduate degree at Drake University in 2011. He holds a graduate degree in music education from Boston University. As a pianist, Nick is a regular member of the Des Moines Big Band, The Thankful Band, the Contrarians, and has performed with numerous ensembles including the Turner Center Jazz Orchestra, Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Parranderos Latin Combo, Orquesta Alto Maiz, the Des Moines Metro Concert Band and Big Band, as well as alongside a wide range of local and visiting artists. As an arranger and composer, he writes for his own project, the Nick Rueckert Quartet, and for the Max Wellman Sextet. In 2022, Nick was honored to receive the Special Recognition award by the Des Moines Community Jazz Center. 

Bridget Shoemaker is a Des Moines-based acoustic and electric bassist with a passion for jazz and music education. She teaches at Creative Music Studio and performs regularly with the Thankful Band Jazz Trio, the Paul Lichty Jazz Orchestra, the Des Moines Community Orchestra, and the Des Moines Big Band. She is also often working in the recording studio or appearing with ensembles across the metro. Bridget studied at the University of Northern Iowa and toured internationally with Jazz Band One under the direction of Chris Merz, performing in Cuba and Brazil. She offers practical insights on building solid time and groove, developing bass technique, crafting effective bass lines, and working as part of a rhythm section in both big band and combo settings.