Almost more than any other instrument, the tenor seems to be able to encompass all the infinite shades of jazz. Veteran sax man Benny Golson (who has performed with Lionel Hampton, Dizzy Gillespie and Art Blakey) and Chris Potter, the fiery young horn player who has performed with everyone from the Mingus Big Band to Steely Dan, as well as rising young star Marcus Strickland play individually and together and talk about their lives in music and influences such as Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Sonny Rollins, Coltrane and Stan Getz.

The legendary Golson’s tenor saxophone performance demonstrates that he is quite at home playing with the young lions. Potter, the ever dependable innovator, and the surprisingly fresh Strickland gave us performances to remind us that jazz continues to be in good hands.

Benny Golson – A composer, arranger, lyricist, producer and tenor saxophonist, Benny Golson is an international jazz legend.  Raised with an impeccable musical pedigree, Benny has played in the bands of Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Earl Bostic and Art Blakey.  Few jazz musicians can claim to be true innovators, and even fewer boast –  as Benny does –  a performing and recording career that literally redefines the term "jazz.”  An NEA Jazz Master, he has made major contributions to the world of jazz and is the only living jazz artist to have written eight standards of the jazz repertoire.  Check out www.bennygolson.com for more information.

Chris Potter – Multi-reedman and composer Chris Potter is often regarded as the finest saxophonist of his generation.  Like most young jazz musicians, Chris is well schooled in the masters, but his musical influences are diverse.  He received a GRAMMY Award nomination for Best Instrumental Jazz Solo and was the youngest-ever recipient of the annual Danish Jazzpar Prize.  Chris has performed extensively with bassist/composer Dave Holland and, since the 2001 release of Gratitude, has also performed all over the world with his own groups.  He has also been a featured performer at the Monterey Jazz Festival.  Check out www.chrispottermusic.com for more information.

Marcus Strickland – Marcus Strickland has been and remains a significant contributor to the fertile jazz scene.  With a gorgeous tone and an unabashed command of both his instrument and his linear expression, this sax man demands the listener's attention.  He has shared the stage and recorded with such elite groups as the Carnegie Hall Big Band, The Mingus Band, the Village Vanguard Band, Tom Harrell Big Band, Milt Jackson Big Band, The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and Reggie Workman's African American Legacy Band.  Marcus currently plays with the Roy Haynes Quartet, Lonnie Plaxico Group, and Jeff “Tain” Watts.  Check out www.marcusstrickland.com for more information.