Leonard McDonald is from Detroit and a graduate of Eastern Michigan University.  Since moving to Atlanta in 1978, he has backed up local vocalist Theresa Hightower, and led bands for many different venues. 

While in Detroit, he worked and traveled with various Motown groups.  Currently, he is the music director at East Lake United Methodist Church, and serves as cocktail pianist at the Embassy Suites Hotel.  He also serves as pianist for the African American Philharmonic Orchestra; was nominated for a Grammy for composition recorded by jazz saxophonist Stanley Turrentine.   

In addition, Leonard has led trio performances at the Ritz Carlton, Intercontinental, and the Westin Peachtree Plaza hotels; served as pianist for various theatrical productions including Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Co; performed with various symphony orchestras including the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra directed by Marvin Hamlisch; arranged music numerous recording projects including his own CD “Keys to the Universe”; recently completed work on a TV pilot produced by Robert Townsend.   Leonard is a member and delegate for the Atlanta Federation of Musicians, and a 20 year member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS).  He has received numerous awards including an award for film scoring from New York University; he also served as a panel member for the now defunct International Association of Jazz Educators.

Averil Taylor is a multi-talented musician skilled in music performance and instruction. Averil is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University. There he had the opportunity to study and perform with Mr. John Head, principal trumpet for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra for over thirty years. The instruction that he received classically was only enhanced further by his involvement with the Clark Atlanta University Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Mr. James Patterson. He has also performed in jazz festivals such as Montreux Jazz Festival (Montreux, Switzerland); North Sea Jazz Festival (Den Hague, Holland); Umbria Jazz Festival (Umbria, Italy).

Currently, Averil is a member/soloist/guest conductor of the Atlanta African American Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Mr. John Peek. Averil also works as a freelance artist recording and performing with several local acts in the Atlanta area. Averil always strives to bring a most soulful and expressive sound to whatever performance opportunity he finds himself in. After spending three years as a band teacher in the public school system, Averil noticed that young musicians spend much of their time in large ensembles. Averil observed that with all of the demands placed on the band director, students rarely have the opportunity to perform in solo or small group settings. This book is an attempt to address this area of performance that is often overlooked due to the nature of the public school instrumental curriculum.