There are many great musicians who never achieve their goals because they surround themselves with friends first and musicians second. In the case of Mark Christopher Brandt he was blessed to meet brilliant musicians and through their mutual love of music they became great friends.

There is a deep hunger in musicians who spend their time dreaming of how to better themselves as players and composers more than they dream of the bright lights of fame and the empty shells of material possessions.

Sometimes wealth and fame come to these few, but more often than not they shy away from the trappings of empty praise in exchange for things that will last. Great musicianship lasts. Family lasts. Well documented music lasts. True love lasts.

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Had I not met great players like Geoff Thaler and Dallas Smith at a young age I might still be chasing my tail. They taught me so much about the power of the present moment and the joy that comes from being fully alive and fully vulnerable to the next millisecond of my existence.

Each of them in their own unique way opened my ears and my heart so that I would recognize the greatness of those who came into my life later. Musicians like Stan McMullen, Dan Leonard, Katherine Colburn and Yana Nikol have made me the person I am today. I owe a great debt of gratitude to my dear friend Geoff and my dear friend Dallas.

⎯ Mark Christopher Brandt

Geoff Thaler and Mark met in 7th grade. They were acquaintances up until their sophomore year of high school when they discovered they both shared a love for jazz and fusion.

It was the late 70's and the jazz/fusion/rock music scene was at creative peak all over the world that would last into the mid-1990's before going the way of the dinosaurs.

Mark and Geoff would ride this musical wave with great success well into the third millennium before parting ways. The 3 recordings they did together stand as a timeless reminder that the best music is not always composed by the most well known or "listened to" musicians of the time in which they live.

As many great musicians have said - true composers are not writing for their peers but for musicians who are not yet born.

Stan McMullen was the drummer in "Secrets,", a very reputable fusion band based in Virginia. He later began to work full time with pianist Bob Larson in jazz trio and quartet settings.

One night in 1989 Mark was called to sub for Bob and the two musicians met. From there the friendship grew and ultimately Stan and Mark worked regularly in a jazz trio with bassist Glenn Harris well into the 90's.

It is completely obvious as to why Stan is the drummer on both the In Spirit and Suite for a Fish Out of Water albums. The pairing of Dallas Smith on bass and Stan on drums made for incredibly tight and energetic grooves.

A graduate of the Eastman School of Music Dallas Smith joined the U.S. Army Ceremonial band in 1972. He started on clarinet and also played saxophone for the U.S. Army Blues Jazz Ensemble. After two years, he permanently switched to playing bass, both upright and electric, in the jazz group. Dallas was the Sergeant-Major of the Army Blues Band until November 16, 2006.

In 1977 he and Mark began to meet up on freelance gigs and the two musicians clicked instantly. Dallas became a mentor to Mark, who revered and respected him for his ability to shift in and out of every style of music with ease. It was Mark's hope that one day Dallas would play on his originals.

When Geoff and Mark approached Dallas with their music in 1992 the bass player welcomed the idea of joining them. He was already acquainted with drummer, Stan McMullen and he knew Geoff as long as he had known Mark.

The two jazz-fusion albums Mark recorded did wonders for his reputation both locally and nationally. Upon the release of "Suite" it was time for Geoff and Mark to ponder their next moves.

When discussions began about touring more than just the ti-state area Dallas was unable to commit as his obligations to the U.S. Army Band superseded all other options for travel. After almost 20 years of collaboration Geoff, Mark and Dallas parted ways.

Drummer Stan McMullen also had issues with touring as he was just starting a family and beginning to build a strong career as a technician for IBM.

With the two power hitters from his rhythm section leaving, and no one in the area close to their ability on their given instruments, Mark felt that maybe it was time to consider his own priorities with regard to career and family as well.

In the short-term this opened the door for collaboration with guitarist Dan Leonard. Unbeknown to both of them the Round Trip journey had begun.

By 1999 Geoff Thaler's health had begun to decline and Mark had already made the decision to record one more CD - a solo piano work titled Contemplation. On June 11, 1999 he recorded that project and this - in his mind at the time- was to be his last recording.

On new years eve of 1999 Mark finished his gig with a jazz quartet at the Cosmos Club in Washington D.C. and went home at the turn of the century believing that he would not record or perform again.

Geoff Thaler passed away on September 22, 2003.