Lou Harlas is a nationally recognized electric and acoustic bassist. For more than three decades, Lou has performed a versatile repertoire of jazz, rock, rhythm and blues, and classical music throughout the United States. His work is characterized by an affinity for all styles of American music.

In New York, Lou toured with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, featuring Ella Fitzgerald, and performed live with Dave Liebman and Junior Cook. Lou also has performed with Red Rodney, Cedar Walton, Branford Marsalis and Frank Foster.

While a resident of Nashville, Lou performed with David Ball and Johnny Lee, among many other artists. His master and demo recording included work for Polygram Publishing and Asylum Records. Lou also played in studio sessions with Mark O’Connor, Marty Stuart, Vassar Clements, and John and Jamie Hartford.

Currently living in Dallas, Lou keeps an active local and national performance schedule, both live and in the studio. He has taught bass and jazz studies at The University of Texas at Arlington and is currently teaching music in the Dallas County Community College System.

A native of Houston, Texas, Lou is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin (BS). After studying music at North Texas University (now The University of North Texas), Lou earned a master’s degree in jazz performance from the University of Miami. As a student, Lou received the Outstanding Musicianship Award from the National Association of Jazz Educators.

Lynne Cadena grew up in a small town just outside Pittsburg, PA, the first of a brood of creatives. She moved to Dallas and began subbing at the Melrose Hotel. During the 1990’s she performed regularly for Sunday brunch audiences at the Doubletree Hotel off 75. Soon the popular Steve Fields Steak and Lobster Lounge discovered her and gave her free rein to entertain. She enjoys giving original interpretations to classics and standards from a wide range of time periods, which her loyal audience (including her father) appreciates. Her repertoire includes a wide variety of music, from sultry ballads both classic and pop, to traditional jazz and swing standards, and even bossa novas.

Melani Skybell is a vocalist and classically trained pianist, who began her musical journey at age 5. Her formal education includes classical piano and vocal performance at Boston University, and a jazz studies degree from University of Texas/Arlington. Her on stage experience blossomed when she joined an alternative pop/rock group, Innocent Bystander, who frequently backed up headliners, and became a regular act in Austin’s Sixth Street Clubs. Either solo or with an ensemble, Melani has performed at all of the top venues in Dallas, and has a performance almost every night of the week. Some evenings there is a line to get into clubs to hear her play – not an easy task in a city dominated by country and pop.

In order to refine her jazz style, Melani’s piano studies led her to the University of North Texas, UTA and prominent North Texas piano professors. She quickly built a reputation with her voice and style. Her solid performances and warm, inviting vocal delivery set her apart immediately. Melani rapidly became a first call vocalist amongst many of the area’s jazz orchestras.

Melani’s repertoire includes traditional jazz standards, sultry ballads, Latin rhythms, and her original jazz-pop compositions. She regularly entertained at Dallas’ most popular nightspots, including years at the Four Seasons Resort, the Warwick-Melrose, The Mansion, the Dallas Petroleum Club and Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille. In her early jazz years, Melani was the featured artist at a sold out performance at the Sammons Center program “Women in Jazz,” and also appeared on several local television spots. Melani Skybell is in demand outside of Dallas, and has performed at events in Atlanta, Georgia, Kingston, Jamaica, and the Chautauqua Institute of New York, to name a few.

Michael Cates is a professional saxophonist, record producer and session player with three solo albums. Having been on the Jersey scene for many years his love for the West coast made him a bicoastal player. He has performed with and shared the stage with Jennifer Lopez, Elton John, Barry White, Joe Sample, Tina Turner and Mariah Carey to name a few. He has performed at venues including BB King NY, The Newport Beach Jazz Festival, The San Francisco Jazz Festival, The Stone Pony, Spaghettini, Catalina Club, Little Rock Jazz Festival, The Rose Bowl and on countless stages across the US and Europe.
Cates is a professional actor as well, and a Screen Actors Guild member for over twenty five years. He played the part of the saxophone player on the David E. Kelley Production hit TV series, “Ally McBeal” for five seasons, from 1999 until its final episode.
He has been in various other TV shows and national TV commercials.

Michael Medina moved to DFW in 1978 to study at the University of North Texas. He owns “First Bass Productions,” a recording company that produces 2tone’s CDs among other works. He has done extensive studio work in addition to performing with well-known artists including Luis Conte, Andy Timmons, Ignacio Berroa, and Alex Acuna to name a few. His most recent project is with the Redd Coats which recently released their first CD and appeared on the front cover of the International Journal of the American Federation of Musicians. He teaches Audio Engineering at Collin College and is also with Mesa Boogie on a development team researching how to perfect amplifiers for the bass guitar.