Byron Mercurius, Drummer, Musical Director, Vocals, Songrwriter: Born in Guyana, South America, Byron Mercurius has been playing music for over 30 years. He began by playing the trumpet, guitar, piano and finally progressed to his current instrument, the trap drum set. He has played with numerous musical groups like Sam & Dave, Cool & The Gang, Rising Lion and has toured the US & Canada on many occasions with Reggae, Rock, R & B, and Blues bands. As a studio musician he has laid tracks for Salt & Pepper, Billy Ocean, Keith Diamond, Joylon Skinner, among others. He has extensive experience working with young people teaching them music as a private instructor as well as a conductor of larger youth bands. Byron currently leads his own Portland Reggae band, Rhythm Culture, and a jazz ensemble, Byron Mercurius & Friends.

Kenny Graves, Guitar: Kenny has over 20 years of professional experience as a guitarist, proficient in a variety of musical styles from Jazz to R&B to World Beat. He has performed with the critically acclaimed group Kukrudu for over 10 years and has provided music for the award-winning production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Lakewood Theater in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Kenny is currently a musical performance workshop presenter with Young Audiences of Oregon.

Monty Skillings, Trombone: Monty, a NW native is a versatile player who has played and recorded with all the local big bands. He began his professional music career in his teenage years, having played the trombone now for over 22 years. Scholars, educators and arrangers alike consider Monty a "specialist" on his instrument. In the early 80's he was involved with the Portland Civic Theater. He has played all styles of music including big band, Latin, jazz, salsa, blues, marching and reggae. His impressive list of credits includes performing and recording sessions with Lily Wilde and her blues band, La Mayor Salsa (5 years), Latin Expression, Palante, Cambalache, Bonchinche, Neuva Era, Little Sue and the pop, rock, reggae band Lip to Lip with Leonard Rancher. In addition to his work with Rhythm Culture, he is the Band Leader for the Jesters (aka McMenemins Marching Band) which has opened over 500 shows for groups including Herbie Hancock, Bo Didley, Jen Tricksters, The Daddys, and Rubberneck.

Joseph Conrad, Bass: Joseph began his musical career playing the harmonica in high school. He began playing guitar after being exposed to the music of Miles, Monk and Coltrane, which inspired him to perform and create the music he loves. He took up the bass after an employment stint at the foundry because he feels, "you are the pivot point between harmony and rhythm as a bassist. You can change the entire feel by adjusting one note...and less is often more!!" Musicians, the Clevtones and Theresa Demarest, have featured Joseph's fretless work on their original recordings. His work through the years has been with Arnold Bos, Myrtle Brown, Word of Mouth, R & B, Funk/Reggae and Travel Dance. "Rhythm Culture, is the sum of all these experiences." he says. "The purpose of all music is to connect all people with this global language and spread good vibes and positive messages. That's what we do."

Ramsey Embick, Keyboards: Born in Salem, Oregon, Ramsey has a long history of impressive credits. He studied classical and jazz piano at Berklee College of Music. After a successful stint in Los Angeles working regularly as a studio musician playing all styles of music he returned to Portland to focus on his own projects. He has since developed a reputation as one of the most reliable jazz pianists around. His primary project is the Original Cats, a group he has formed with some of Portland's most senior and acclaimed jazz musicians. The "Cats" have played with Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. He also leads a Latin trio called Ramsey Embick y Los Montunos. As music director and keyboardist for the Pointer Sisters, Embick toured the world and contributed to a string of No. 1 hits for the group. In addition he had a stint with Ray Charles and the Commodores and even worked briefly with Michael Jackson. His involvement with Rhythm Culture as a guest musician allows him to combine his love for the polyrhythmic aspects of Latin music with the improvisational expressions of jazz all wrapped in a roots reggae foundation.