Trumpeter Charles Lazarus, a member of the Minnesota Orchestra since 2000, has charted a unique course during his tenure with the Orchestra. As a soloist, composer and bandleader, Lazarus has created and starred in four original orchestral shows featuring his jazz ensemble: “A Night in the Tropics,” “American Riffs,” “Fly Me to the Moon” and "Our Love is Here to Stay," a collaboration with The Steeles and Prince's former keyboardist Tommy Barbarella. "Merry & Bright,” his concert of fresh takes on holiday favorites, is the newest addition to the Orchestra's annual holiday fare. 

In 2015, Lazarus premiered Steve Heitzeg's concerto American Nomad, commissioned by Paul Grangaard. Lazarus and the Orchestra recently reprised this work, and a live video recording of the performance was released online in 2019. His composition A Perfect Square, paired with Michael Hall's book of the same name, was recently made into a children's animated short film.

Tonia Hughes Kendrick is notably among Minnesota’s most gifted artists, acclaimed for her transparent delivery that leaves audiences with a poignant electricity. Being ever willing to take on a challenge, and having an openness to engage in culturally diverse, what she calls “unusual” collaborations, has catapulted her career. Fusing her rich gospel background with the folk singing of Larry Long or the world-class trumpeting of Charles Lazarus with the Minnesota Orchestra or with a Flamenco at The Lab Theater defies categorization and is a further testament of her genre-bending talent. 

Born in West Point, Mississippi, home of Howling Wolf, Bruce A. Henry was singing publicly by the age of 5 in his Baptist church on the West side of Chicago. Henry’s musical education as a child included immersion in the work of Count Basie and Duke Ellington, favorites of his father (a pianist who was his first musical mentor). Although Henry was classically trained at the Chicago Conservatory of Music, his love for improvisation proved to be a stronger calling. Influenced by Nina Simone, Al Jarreau and John Coltrane, to name a few, Henry’s journey has resulted in an eclectic style of vocals and composition.

Best known for his extensive work with Prince in the 1990s, Tommy Barbarella has a reputation for excellence and versatility extended over the following two decades by touring, recording and performing with the likes of Art Garfunkel, Mavis Staples, Jonny Lang, Nick Jonas, Italian superstar Giorgia and Minneapolis supergroup Greazy Meal. He has contributed his talents to Hollywood features by iconic directors like Spike Lee, Robert Altman and Marc Forester, as well as composing award-winning commercial tracks for Nike, Budweiser, Audi and hundreds of other organizations.

Jeff Bailey has performed in a wide variety of musical settings as a musician, composer, sound designer, producer and educator. He has performed with world renowned artists including Craig Taborn, Joey Arias, The Steeles, James Carter, Joey McIntyre (New Kids on the Block), Eric Gravatt, Charles Lazarus, Rodney Jones, Doc Severinsen, the Minnesota Orchestra, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Wessel Anderson, Pia Toscano, Jonatha Brooke, Geoff Keezer, Andres Prado, Chastity Brown, “Doc” Martin, Fareed Haque, Justin Robinson, Charley Drayton and James Moody.

Daryl Boudreaux is a percussionist, singer, songwriter, and a member of the Grammy Award-winning Sounds of Blackness. A Twin Cities Musicians Union (TCMU) member, he also serves as percussionist at Saint Peter’s African Methodist Episcopal Church in Minneapolis. He began playing music in junior high school with classmate Prince Nelson (the Artist formerly known as “Prince”) and later joined forces with Jimmy “Jam” Harris. He has performed with The Steeles, Bruce Henry, Jody Watley, T. Mychael Rambo, Ronnie Laws, Mint Condition, Ann Nesby, Parliment Funkadelic, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and the Minnesota Orchestra.

David Schmalenberger recently performed on drumset/percussion with the Laura Caviani Trio, the Bill Simenson Jazz Orchestra, Pat Frederick and Low Company, the Steeles, Karrin Allyson, Marilyn Maye, Take That Back!, Cantus, Rebel Fiddle, DAT Trio and and the Jazz Explosion Big Band. He also recently recorded with vocalist Connie Evingson (Sweet Happy Life), guitarist David Singley (Good Hope), trumpeter Chuck Lazarus (Lovejoy and Merrier & Brighter), the Laura Caviani Trio with Chris Bates (Mysterious Thelonius and Confluence), Vicky Mountain and David Martin (Play On), Jerry Kosak (New Possibilities) and the Bill Simenson Jazz Orchestra (Big Alpaca).