Before he even reached the age of 20, pianist/composer Ira Stein had already signed his first recording contract and released his first album on Windham Hill Records, ELEMENTS (1982). In collaboration with oboist Russel Walder, he went on to record two more albums, TRANSIT (1986) and UNDER THE EYE (1990). The duo toured extensively throughout the United States.

In 1991, Stein formed a new group that features the original combination of piano, cello, and soprano saxophone. The new music is a highly melodic acoustic mix where jazz meets classical- a dynamic balance of form and improvisation. The group released CAROUSEL (1992) and then SPUR OF THE MOMENT (1994) on Narada Records. Their most recent recording, BACH IMPROVISATIONS, was recorded live in concert at Yoshi's, an internationally- known jazz club in Oakland, California. This highly original album features lyrical and elegant improvisations on nine Bach Chorales. It was released in 1999 on the Lost Time Records label.

All three musicians have extensive