Peter Kienle - guitar, guitar synth Guitarist and composer Peter Kienle was born in 1960 in the former West Germany. Best known for his recordings and performances with his own band BeebleBrox, he brings considerable talents to the very different trio format of 3rd Man. He comes to this sparse setting with his varied, but distinctive voice on guitar, with rewarding results.The influences on his style can be readily identified: John McLaughlin, Pat Metheny, Bill Frisell, John Scofield (check out his playing on 'One for Big Bill')... but these diverse styles all coalesce into a style that is unique, and very much his own. As a composer, he is author of over 60 pieces for classical guitar and close to 600 tunes in varying styles - check out some of his work on his web site Odd Guitar Jazz (www.acmerecords.com/oddgitjazz.html); he is a teacher of guitar, and is also an artist in the realm music copy work; working extensively for both Dr. David Baker and Dr. Bill Banfield. Peter's main love (along with wife Monika Herzig) is B'Brox Productions: a blanket title which covers all their musical projects, including: the band BeebleBrox, Peter Kienle Music Copying, and their own recording label ACME records. In addition to six previous recordings with BeebleBrox, they produced last year's Jazz From Bloomington and 3rd Man CD's. Peter also frequently performs with Oliver Nelson Jr., Cathy Morris , and with another guitar trio Freesome, with bassist Dave Bruker and drummer Danny Deckard.

Jack Helsley - acoustic bass The musical life of bassist Jack Helsley has been as circuitous as his taste in music. Initially, a classically trained tuba player, he gave that up to start a new life, strictly as a bass player. A six year stint in the U.S. Air Force Band had him playing every variety of gig imaginable; the last three years of which, touring extensively throughout Europe (and elsewhere...) Since his arrival back in the States, he's continued his wide ranging accompanying habits; spending time as a freelance bassist, and as a member of both BeebleBrox and the Carrie Newcomer Band. He has appeared on no less than 15 recordings, including Carrie's My Father's Only Son (Rounder Records), and at the famous jazz club Blues Alley with Janiece Jaffee; and most recently stepped in at the last minute to sub on a gig with tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker. He would rather not list any of his influences, but would probably fess up if you caught him stealing from someone.

Pete Wilhoit - drums Bloomington native Pete Wilhoit is probably the most in demand drummer around. With over 15 recordings to his credit, he moves effortlessly from jazz to pop, to whatever is called for at the moment; always with taste and always with a deep, deep pocket. On 3rd Man, his playing is responsive, yet powerful and aggressive (all at once, you might ask?), but never overplayed. A student of Kenny Aronoff, Shawn Pelton, and Lou D'Agastino, Pete is an active member in Bloomington's more prominent bands, including Gyrogenics, and his own band The Cutters. He can be heard on recordings by both of these bands, and several others, including BeebleBrox, Janiece Jaffee, and, of course 3rd Man. With other members of his band The Cutters, Pete started Green Van Records, an independent label, dedicated to the promotion and distribution of their music. He lists his favorite cheese as Colby Jack, and wishers it to be known that 'Winners drink milk...' Of the 3rd Man recording, Pete says, 'It is the only album project that really excited me as a musician and as a listener. It's the only album that I've dropped a beat on, and been completely delighted about it'