In 1990, bassist Mark Shelby heard about a performance space in Los Angeles called the ~World Stage that was funded by drummer Billy Higgins and often featured open jam sessions. In August of that year, Shelby met trumpeter Richard Grant at the ~World Stage, and a couple months later they were joined by drummer Willie Jones III and altoist James Mahone. Jamming each night at the ~World Stage from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. gave the musicians an opportunity to form and solidify a group sound. They played their first gigs in January 1991 and among their first pianists were Eric Reed and Kenneth Crouch.
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