A native of upstate New York, trumpeter Phil Scoles received a Bachelor of Music and Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music, where he toured Japan and recorded for the Warner Bros. label with the Eastman Wind Ensemble under the direction of Donald Hunsberger. After earning a Master of Music from Northwestern University, he won an audition to become a member of the United States Navy Band in Washington, DC, where he remained for six years and performed for U.S. presidents, vice presidents, foreign heads of state, and other dignitaries.

Phil now resides in Houston with his wife Catherine and their young son Shea. He has performed with the Annapolis (MD) Symphony, Fairfax (VA) Symphony, Rochester (NY) Philharmonic, Syracuse (NY) Symphony, New World Symphony (FL), and Brazos Valley Symphony, and he can be heard locally as principal trumpet of the Houston Latin Philharmonic. Phil holds additional college degrees in physics and finance and maintains a keen interest in brass instrument acoustics and design.

Chris Shelburne studied horn at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas and at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University. Chris has performed extensively with all of the major music institutions in Houston including the Houston Symphony, Houston Grand Opera, Houston Ballet, and River Oaks Chamber Orchestra amongst many others and he currently serves as principal horn of Opera in the Heights. . Chris has also served in the horn section of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra as well has played several performances with many orchestras around the country. Aside from playing the horn Chris likes to dabble in the guitar and also plays a number of percussion instruments from around the world.

Trombonist James Lee is a proud native Houstonian and grew up in the Spring Branch area. He studied at Southern Methodist University (Dallas) and the University of Houston where he was a scholarship student-athlete. At UH he was a member of the symphony orchestra and was a member of the nationally ranked track and field team while becoming one of the top five discus throwers in the school’s history. James is a freelance trombonist and enjoys playing frequently in a very wide spectrum of music. In addition to music, James still successfully competes in the discus throw (sometimes only a few hours after a late night gig!) and is actively pursuing the national record for the Republic of Korea as he is a dual national.

Ali Jackson is a professional tubist who began his freelancing career in 1999. As a graduate from the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music, his love of music includes teaching band, low brass private lessons, and playing in various musical groups in the Houston area. Ali’s other interests include meteorology, car repair, high end audio systems, and home improvement. When not playing or practicing, Ali enjoys the company of his wife Julie and cat “Kit-Kat”.