Cedar Walton (1934, Dallas, TX) was taught piano as a youth by his mother. After University and serving in the Army (getting to play jazz while stationed in Germany), Walton became an important part of the New York jazz scene in 1958. He worked with Kenny Dorham and J.J. Johnson, and was a member of the Jazztet, playing next to Benny Golson and Art Farmer. Most important was Walton's period as a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. During 1961-64 he was a key member in a classic edition of the group along with Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter and Curtis Fuller. The band's worldwide tours and regular recordings gave Walton strong exposure and made it possible for him to launch a successful solo career after he left Blakey.
Cedar worked with Abbey Lincoln during 1965-66, made many recordings (mostly as a sideman) during the second half of the 1960s, co-led a quintet with Hank Mobley and returned briefly to Blakey in 1973 for a Japanese tour. Otherwise he has mostly been a leader during the past 40 years, usually heading a trio although he has also led the quintet Eastern Rebellion. While his playing was originally influenced by Bud Powell and later on took on some of the characteristics of McCoy Tyner's approach, he has long had his own style and sound within the straight ahead jazz tradition, looking forward while being tied to his swinging roots. He is also an underrated composer, with his "Bolivia" becoming a standard and his many other pieces also being well worth exploring.

David Williams (1946, the West Indies) has been part of the New York jazz scene since the late 1960s. He has worked with a wide range of top musicians including Beaver Harris, Chuck Mangione, Ornette Coleman, Charles McPherson, Billy Taylor, Duke Jordan, Kenny Barron, Elvin Jones, Don Pullen Archie Shepp, Art Pepper, Slide Hampton, Woody Shaw, Frank Morgan, David Hazeltine, David "Fathead Newman, Stanley Turrentine, Vincent Herring, Eric Alexander, and Cedar Walton starting in 1983.

Dale Barlow (1960, Sydney, Australia) like Walton was a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, although in the 1980s rather than the 1960s. His father, Bill Barlow, is a tenor -saxophonist so Dale grew up around jazz. As a teenager played with pianist Mike Nock's group, also leading his own quartet and making his recording debut. By the time he was 17, serving as a representative of his generation, Barlow was often teamed with veteran American jazz players who were touring Australia, such as Sonny Stitt, one of his musical heroes. In 1982, Dale first visited the United States, studying with Dave Liebman, George Coleman, Barry Harris, Hal Galper, Bob Brookmeyer and Manny Albam. During this time, which also included periods spent in Amsterdam, Paris and London, Barlow played with quite an array of veteran all-stars including Dizzy Gillespie, Chet Baker, Curtis Fuller, Gil Evans, Jackie McLean, Benny Golson, Lee Konitz and Helen Merrill. In 1989-90 he was a member of the last version of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. He also spent a period as a regular member of the Cedar Walton Quartet. Although he has since returned to Australia, Barlow has continued having a high profile in the jazz world including spending three years as a member of Billy Cobham's group, performing and recording as a leader, and working with Walton on several occasions including this 2000 recording. Dale Barlow is not only a superior tenor-saxophonist but quite skilled on flute, bass clarinet and piano in addition to working as an arranger-composer.