This New Jersey based ensemble has been performing at Shanghai Jazz since 2007.  Steve Hess along with pianist Mark Weber and bassist Bud Ayres have led Jazz Vespers services at the Presbyterian Church in Morristown since 2017.

Pianist Mark Weber graduated from Eastman and the Manhattan School of Music and has worked extensively as an accompanist and sideman. He currently teaches music in the Warren Township public schools.

Bassist Bud Ayres switched from trombone to double bass in 1999. He studied bass with Nate Lienhard and Michael Moore and her performs regularly with the Caldwell University Jazz Band under the direction of Rob Middleton.  Bud teaches math at Mount Saint Dominic Academy. 

Drummer Steve Hess studied classical and jazz percussion at the University of Delaware.  He was formerly a member of the Maplewood-based big band Swingtown. He teaches statistics at Governor Livingston High School.