member profiles

A major force in the music scene of the San Francisco Bay area for the last 40 years, saxophonist Charles Unger is a musical institution. He is known for his exuberant style and talent, and for a stage show that is unforgettable. Charles Unger is a great player who loves what he is doing. Music for him is a spiritual mission and a quest for a kind of secular redemption that he has pursued since he was a child — one that sustains him and has brought him a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Charlie is a drummer, percussionist and a woodworker. In addition to being a performer, he also crafts percussion instruments out of wood in his workshop, and sells them to happy customers all around the world.

Born in Rock Hill, SC, to humble beginnings, Charm is an abbreviation of Charissa Mobley, the R&B singer’s birth name. As early as 4 years old Charm could be seen in her performance get-up of sunglasses and a microphone, dancing and singing to her own tune. First singing in church and then for family reunions by the age10, Charm grew to adore music and realized the wonders of her voice. Naturally a good writer, Charm wrote for the local newspaper as a teen and began writing music lyrics in high school.

Charu Suri is a pianist, composer and journalist who became the first female Indian American jazz composer to premier original work at Carnegie Hall. Her first original album, "Lollipops for Breakfast,” won a Global Music Award, as did her latest releases, “The Book of Ragas" scored for a trio and a Sufi singer, and The New American Songbook with the vocal talents of Danielle Erin Rhodes. “The Book of Ragas” has been praised by critics as a new sound in jazz. Her work has been performed by cellist Yo-Yo Ma and double bassist, Edgar Meyer. She is a voting member of the Recording Academy (The GRAMMYS®).

Cheryl B. Engelhardt is a GRAMMY® nominated composer New Age artist, and a #1 best-seller on iTunes and Amazon. Her work has been featured by Forbes, People, Harper's Bazaar and many more. Engelhardt writes for films, meditation apps, and social justice choirs. Her newest album was the first of its kind- completely created on a cross-USA train journey.