TRUMPET

Armen Krakirian is an accomplished trumpeter and private teacher based in the Bay Area, California. Holding a degree in Jazz Trumpet Performance from Oberlin Conservatory (2023), Armen's musical journey has been enriched under the mentorship of the renowned jazz virtuoso, Dr. Eddie Henderson. Passionate about both performance and education, Armen has shared the stage with renowned artists such as Gerald Cannon, Gary Bartz, Billy Hart, Jay Ashby, Jake Silverman, and many others.

Drawing inspiration from Hard Bop legends like Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan, Woody Shaw, and a kaleidoscope of genres spanning Electronic, Rap/Hip-Hop, Pop, Classical, and Metal, Armen's versatility sets him apart. Beyond the confines of traditional jazz, his musical palette is a vibrant spectrum that resonates with diverse influences.

PIANO

Daniel Filip is a seasoned South Bay Area pianist and composer. He was born and raised in Detroit where he was exposed to the local jazz icons from an early age and supported himself through college playing the local rock clubs as well as Motown and R&B in the casuals circuit. After moving to the Bay Area, he became immersed in the latin music scene which eventually led to living in Cuba for several months and gave him the opportunity to study with some of the great masters such Pupy Pedroso and Chucho Valdez. He went on to perform for more than a decade with the salsa fusion band Orquesta Gitano (including playing on the Salsa Gitana grammy nominated album) and several other latin jazz projects. He also has played for many years with The Jazz Mechanics which performs his book of original compositions. This latest project with The Sun Messengers has been a great vehicle to once again shine his exciting and versatile style in the bebop and post-bop tradition.

BASS

Bassist Ryan Trujillo is one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s most prominent working musicians and jazz educators. Holding a bachelor’s and master’s degree in jazz studies from San Jose State University from 2018 and 2022 respectively, Trujillo boasts over a decade of professional experience as both a bandleader and sideman accompanying local and international artists. In performance Trujillo combines his rich musical knowledge and virtuosic musicianship with an uncompromising passion for groove, expression, and improvisation.

DRUMS

John MacDonald is a writer, composer, and drummer based in the South Bay area. Since completing his studies at the Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory, he has performed with Taylor Dayne (opening for Earth, Wind, & Fire), Guggenheim Fellow David Fiuczynski, and David Gilmore among many other weird and wonderful rising jazz artists. John has presented his research on video game music at Oxford University, the Pop Culture Association, the University of Calgary, and the University of Manchester and has published research on jazz drumming through the Percussive Arts Society.