An ensemble with an incredibly enlightened worldview, its philosophical outlook stems from its co-leaders’ vast experiences. Having initially crossed paths as locker neighbors while studying at Juilliard in the early aughts, Ridenour and Gilkes would each rise to prominence in different professional spheres—the former as a member of the Canadian Brass and a sought-after soloist with top-flight orchestras, the latter as a two-time Grammy-nominated bandleader and a key figure in celebrated large ensembles like the WDR Big Band and Maria Schneider Orchestra. Not surprisingly, categorizing tags came with those accomplishments. But neither man ever resigned himself to one side of any classical-jazz divide, and both found opportunities to cross the aisle. “Marshall grew up in the jazz realm but has more than dabbled in the classical world and I know that many classical players are envious of his fundamentals and skills,” Ridenour shares.  “So he’s coming from that sort of angle—jazz into classical—and I’m really coming from the opposite way, having more of a classical background but finding myself in more jazz improv scenarios.”