Strayer has a bachelor of arts degree from Doane College, Crete, Neb., and a master of music degree in saxophone performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music where he studied with Tim Timmons. Since 1985 Strayer has been active as a saxophonist, recording artist, band leader, composer, arranger, adjudicator and private instructor. He currently leads five performing groups and teaches privately from his home. Strayer has released six recordings including the critically acclaimed Jeru Blue, featuring Randy Brecker, and Mentor, with Gary Foster. His latest releases are The Kerry Strayer Orchestra, Christmas in Kansas City: Music From the Plaza Lighting Ceremony and The Kerry Strayer Quartet featuring Gary Foster, Play It Where It Lays.

In addition to the trumpet and flugelhorn, Kessler plays drums and hand percussion and is a band leader, clinician and educator. He also does extensive writing and arranging for small groups. Kessler currently leads The Sons of Brasil and Stan Kessler Quartet. During his 37 years in Kansas City, he has led such bands as Stan Kessler and the Flat Five, Eightball and Baby Leroy. His expertise includes jazz, R&B, funk and all Latin genres, especially Brazilian and Afro-Cuban. Kessler has appeared in concert with Clark Terry, Paquito D’Rivera, Ernie Watts, Gary Foster, Karrin Allyson, Kevin Mahogany and Bobby Watson. He appears on numerous recordings, including those by Karrin Allyson, Joe Cartwright, Angela Hagenbach and his own Sons of Brasil.

Right out of college, Bowman was invited to join the prestigious Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra. He toured with them and recorded several albums including the Grammy Award-winning Live at Munich. In 1979, Bowman moved to Los Angeles, where he joined the innovative Toshiko Akiyoshi/Lew Tabakin Big Band. Most recently Bowman has toured with Allyson and is featured on many of her recordings. He leads the groups, Interstring and Bowdog; plays with the PBT Trio; and teaches at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in jazz studies.

Cambron is a top-call musician and a vital part of Kansas City’s jazz scene. He can be heard with such leaders as Bowman, Jake Blanton, Paul Smith, Strayer, Kessler, Laura Chalk, Lindsay Phillips and others. He appears on the recordings The Kerry Strayer Orchestra, Christmas in Kansas City; Jake Blanton Quartet, Jake Blanton Quartet; Stan Kessler, Stan Kessler’s Television; Megan Birdsall, Track 13; Edison Switch, Leaving Transition; and Gabriel Cahill, Space Junk. Cambron has a bachelor's degree in percussion performance from the UMKC Conservatory of Music.

Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. The 50-minute  concerts are cosponsored by the JCCC humanities and music departments, Community Services and the Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts.

For more information, call 913-469-8500, ext. 3605.