James Warburton studied saxophone with Paul Brodie and Pat Labarbera and earned a Performance Diploma from Trinity College of Music in London, England. He joined the Toronto Musicians Union in 1968, working as a saxophone, flute and clarinet player with bands that were part of the local Toronto music scene. These included big bands, orchestras, theatre and recording sessions. James worked with a number of the great blues bands, Downchild, James Hartley and Whiskey Howl, but his love of jazz prompted him to form his first jazz quartet in the 70’s. This has been his primary interest to this day. Writing music for his jazz combos inspired him to further his knowledge of arranging and composing by studying the Gordon Delamont course with Darwin Aitken. This led to work in the film industry and the composition of music for a documentary on the life of artist David Silverberg.  James' primary focus at the moment is The Spirit of Jazz and performing with the Swing Shift Big Band. (www.swingshiftbigband.com).

John Brown began his study of the piano at the age of 7. Inspired by the playing of his father, also a physician-musician, he studied conservatory-style but was more interested in the more modern sounds of pop and jazz. After a lengthy hiatus to complete his medical education and raise a young family, he reentered the musical world 1991 commencing study with Frank Falco, a well known and respected Toronto pianist and teacher. John has performed and recorded with bands such as Endangered Species, the Big Smoke Big Band and presently holds down the keyboard chair with The Spirit of Jazz. With his wife, vocalist Brenda Scott, he performs regularly in ensembles ranging from duos to sextets. John also records and produces projects for fellow musicians on location and in his home studio .

Born in Melbourne, Australia, Chuck Loriot found his way to Canada in 1967 after spending two years in London, England. From 1969 to 1971 he studied at the Ontario College of Percussion, and went on to play in many venues in the Toronto area, including Ellis McKlintock's Big Band, the Downchild Blues Band. He frequently worked with Moxie Whitney's Band, the house orchestra for the Imperial Room at the Royal York Hotel. In 2002, he cofounded the jazz ensemble The Spirit of Jazz with saxophonist, James Warburton. When he is not playing the drums, you can find him rubbing shoulders with the likes of Gene Hackman, Robert de Niro, Geena Davis and John Travolta, in his parallel career as a movie set craftsman. When asked for a quote for this bio, he had only one thing to say: "All charges have been dropped."

William Bryant joined the Toronto Musicians Union at 16, working as a trumpet, piano and bass player in the many R & B and rock bands that were part of the local Toronto music scene in the 1960's. Much of his musical training occurred "on the job," working as a freelance musician at Toronto hotels, restaurants, private clubs and corporate events. He had the opportunity to work with many of Toronto's "Swing Era" band leaders including Ellis McKlintock, Pat Riccio, Wally Koster, Trump Davidson, Eddie Graf, Moxie Whitney, Frank Evans and Benny Louis. He worked his way through University and Graduate School playing as a freelance musician in both Toronto and Los Angeles. William has augmented his practical experience with various courses and workshops at York University and the University of California. He has studied privately with Frank Falco for many years. His main musical projects at present are Toronto's 18 piece Big Smoke Band and The Spirit of Jazz.