Raised and educated in the United States, Kevin Dean moved to Canada in 1980 to accept a position at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia where he helped design their first jazz curriculum. In 1984 he accepted a position at McGill University in Montreal and designed the first jazz curriculum there. An active composer with over 130 original compositions, Kevin has released 14 as a leader or co-leader. Co-leader of this quintet will be trumpeter/composer Dean McNeill who is a music faculty member at the U of S and the artistic director of the Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra. The quintet will also feature Edmonton bassist Aretha Tillotson, Saskatoon pianist Paul Suchan, and Regina drummer Andre White.