I was born in Syracuse New York, I play some guitar and sing a bit. I got into music when I was about 5 yrs. old after hearing the music of Buddy Holly. Since then, I've been kind of fanatical about music. As I got older I was diggin' all kind of rock like most kids and started getting into more jazzy things after hearing rock/fusion stuff like Jeff Beck, Mahahvisnu Orchestra, Chick Corea, and Larry Carlton.

Then all the way after hearing Wes Montgomery, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, (had to have ALL their recordings) etc..so then I joined the high school jazz band (Enfield, CT) and then two years of music school at the Hartford Conservatory, then I moved back to Syracuse..and shortly after went on the road with Lucky Peterson for 3 years, then played with Kirk Franklin for another 3 years, Joe McBride and many other artists since then.

Tony Baker has taught at the University of North Texas College of Music since 2000. Currently a member of the Dallas Opera Orchestra, he has performed with ensembles such as the Minnesota Opera Orchestra, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Dallas Jazz Orchestra, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and the Akron Symphony Orchestra. As a jazz musician Mr. Baker has performed with groups such as the Woody Herman Band, the Duke Ellington Orchestra and the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. He has also performed on stage with artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Steve Turre, Terry Gibbs, John Fedchock, Pete Christlieb and Peter Erskine. Mr. Baker is or has been on the faculty of summer jazz workshops at institutions such as the University of North Texas and Northwest College in Cody, Wyoming. Mr. Baker is a regular faculty member of the University of North Texas Combo Workshop. He was also a guest artist at the 2014 Texoma Jazz Festival, the 2002 Redbud Jazz Festival, and the 1999 Capital University Jazz Week. Internationally, Mr. Baker has served as a guest artist and clinician at events such as the 2013 Summer Course of Brazilia (CIVEBRA) and the 2006 Trombones de Costa Rica International Festival. Mr. Baker served as the All-­‐‑State Conductor of the 2016 Arkansas All-­‐‑State Jazz Ensemble I and the 2004-­‐‑2005 Minnesota All-­‐‑State Jazz Ensemble. He is a frequent clinician and adjudicator and maintains a very active performing schedule.

Tony Palos began playing the piano in 1967 at the age of 8 and studied at the University of North Texas Jazz Studies program. Tony has been active as a professional musician since 1976 and has been fortunate enough to perform with such legends as Dizzy Gillespie, Gregg Bissonette, Simon Phillips and Clark Terry. He has also performed at the North Sea and Montreaux jazz festivals. He has been co-leading his jazz fusion group First Take Electric Jazz, along with his wife Tina on trumpet since 1995. He has been active in the North Texas area as a freelance musician since 1988