Hugo Cruz (Musical Director & Percussion) is a Cuban-born, award-winning, internationally renowned drummer and composer who has performed in South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Mexico, Chile, and Venezuela. Hugo is the leader of Caminos, who fuse rhythms and melodies of Afro-Cuban, Cuban, American jazz and funk styles. Caminos released their first original album Punto de Partida in 2022, and have made appearances at Fábrica de Artes in Havana, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, and the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, among others.

 

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J.D. Chaisson (Trumpet) is a Pittsburgh-based trumpet player and a Duquesne University alumnus. He’s toured with many local and national artists as well as spent years on the road with the New Orleans-based funk band Dumpstaphunk. In Pittsburgh, J.D. performs regularly and teaches trumpet at Duquesne University.

 

 

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Frank Cohen (Trombone), a Pittsburgh native, moved to New York City at 18 to attend the Manhattan School of Music on full scholarship. A multi-GRAMMY and Latin-GRAMMY-winning trombonist, he’s known for his versatility across genres. Frank performs with Arturo O’Farrill’s Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, Willie Colon, and others. As a freelancer, he’s worked with icons like Jay Z, Aretha Franklin, and Yo-Yo Ma. Outside music, he enjoys martial arts, travel, hockey, and discovering new restaurants.

 

 

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Pria Dahiya (Director) is a theatre and film director crafting digitally-mediated live performances. Recent directing work: PLAY:BODY (New Product Company, 2025), My Sister’s Lipstick (New Hazlett Theatre, 2025), Suite Life (Kelly Strayhorn Theatre, 2024), Earth Angel (New Product Company, 2024), Love and Money (CMU Drama, 2024). Assistant Directing Work: The Adventures of Pussy Jones (Dir. Gab Cody, 2025), and Amm(i)gone (Dir. Adil Mansoor, KST Studios and The Theatre Offensive, 2021–2022). BFA: Carnegie Mellon School of Drama.

 

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Craig Davis (Piano) is a seasoned jazz pianist with over 30 years of experience as a performer and educator. A Pittsburgh native, he studied under drummer Roger Humphries and earned degrees from Indiana University and Manhattan School of Music. He has performed with the Artie Shaw Orchestra and Sean Jones’ quintet, and debuted as a leader at NYC’s Kitano. His album Tone Paintings (MCG Jazz) earned 4½ stars in DownBeat and featured John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton.

 

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Chantal Joseph (Vocal) is a dynamic and versatile musician and educator based in Pittsburgh, PA. Originally from Cape Cod, Chantal has played at the Newport Jazz Festival and with renowned ensembles such as the Boston Pops and Cape Symphony. She continues to perform with New York based Perry Rossi Orchestras. Since relocating to Pittsburgh, she has continued to captivate audiences and was even named Best R&B Performer by the Pittsburgh City Paper.

 

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Noel Quintana (Percussion), aka “Mr. Conga,” is a Latin music percussionist, bandleader, and historian with over 30 years of experience. He studied Afro-Caribbean styles in New York, performed with legends like Tito Puente, and led bands in both NYC and Ohio. Now based in Pittsburgh, he tours with his band, teaches Latin percussion, and hosts a radio show on Latin Jazz and Salsa. His band, The Latin Crew, performs regularly across the region.

 

 

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Brian Stahurski (Bass) received his formal education at Duquesne University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Jazz Performance in 1989 while studying with Jeffrey Mangone, and a Master’s degree in Performance in 1992 while studying with Anthony Bianco. Since then he has performed with the Pittsburgh Ballet Orchestra, major Broadway touring productions, the Wheeling Symphony, WQED’s Live from Studio A on PBS television and various Jazz, Blues, Salsa, Pop and Rock artists around Pittsburgh.

 

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Mike Tomaro (Sax) is a saxophonist, composer, arranger and jazz educator. He recently retired from his position as Jazz Studies Program Director at Duquesne University. Mike is a Yamaha Performing Artist and Vandoren Diamond Artist. He has many credits to his name on nationally-released CDs, including 5 of his own and over 200 published compositions and arrangements. Mike is co-author of the textbook, Instrumental Jazz Arranging: A Comprehensive and Practical Guide.

 

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E. Lieu Wolhardt (Lighting Designer) is a multi-cultural / multi-media / multi-disciplinary artist, as well as a lighting and projection designer. A child of globalization, their work addresses themes of violence, non-bodies, exilic spaces, self obsession, self repulsion, and the existential nature of being everything & nothing at all. lieuwolhardt.cargo.site