Puzzlebox

Keith DeStefano , bassist/composer, founded Puzzlebox as a jazz sextet in 2005. His debut album, "Just When I Thought," has been heard on radio stations around the country, and Puzzlebox has performed extensively throughout the northeast region. One year ago the band expanded into an octet, and has just finished recording their second CD, “A Place To Be.” The CD will be released in 2010.

Keith was classically trained by Robert Riccardi, principal bassist for the Pennsylvania Ballet, and received his jazz training from Tyrone Brown and Odean Pope (sidemen for Max Roach), and Trudy Pitts. He has performed with Odean Pope’s Collective Voices Ensemble, Sonic Liberation Front, Matt Davis’ Aerial Photograph, and a multitude of other groups. He’s shared the stage with many of the established jazz luminaries in Philadelphia, as well as the brightest new talents.

Stan Slotter (trumpet/flute) has performed with Cecil Taylor at Carnegie Hall, Philly Joe Jones at Livingston College, Grover Washington Jr., Bobby Zankel, and Seamus Eagan. He has toured Europe multiple times with the Klingon Klezmer Band, and is a member of numerous local acts: Ronnie James and the Jez Hot Swing Club, City Rhythm Orchestra, Ed Wise’s New Orleans Jazz Band, Atzilut, Mnias, Orquestra Panama, Orquesta Lucena, and many others.

Stan studied trumpet with Sigmund Hering (Philadelphia Orchestra),Carmine Caruso (New York City), Mike Natale (Mike Douglas Show), Bob McCoy (Tonight Show)
Laurie Frink (New York City). He studied trumpet with Carol Light (Toronto Symphony)
Adeline Tomasone, Patricia Kendall (Philadelphia Opera Co. & PA Ballet)
John Krell (Philadelphia Orchestra)

Joe Falcey (drums) is a New Jersey native. He has been performing music in the U.S. and internationally for the last 20 years. Joe holds a degree in Music from Kean University where he studied performance, composition, and music education. He also studied privately under master drummers Dave McGraw, Tony DeNicola (Harry James), Joe Morello (Dave Brubeck), and Ari Hoenig (Kenny Werner, Joe Lovano, and Mike Stern).

He has shared the stage with Glenn McClelland (Blood Sweat & Tears & Ween), Pete Kuzma (Jill Scott), B.D. Lenz, Richie Cole, Eric Alexander, Brian Trainor, Tom Pass, Steve Kramer, Doris Spears, John Swana, Rob Paparozzi, Steve Varner, Gary Mazzaroppi, and many others.

Maxfield Gast (soprano/alto saxophone) grew up studying jazz and classical music at Philadelphia's own Settlement Music School. He recieved a Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance at Temple University. Max has performed in a wide variety of venues and festivals across the country including New York's Carnegie Hall and Jazz at Lincoln Center; Philadelphia's Academy of Music; SXSW Festival in Austin, TX; Ottawa Bluesfest in Ontario; Creative Arts Center in New Orleans; and Milwaukee's Summerfest. Maxfield has performed with Sharon Little (CBS); Scot Sax (Wanderlust, Faith Hill); Grover Washington Jr.; Dana LeonG; Grammy nominated Ryan Shaw, Antonique Smith (Notorious), and Naomi Shelton and the Gospel Queens; Doodlebug (Digable Planets); Jaleel Shaw; Bilal; Tony Catastrophe (Kilo, Fathead); Chuck Treece (Billy Joel, Urge Overkill); Ziv Ravitz (Lee Konitz); Mike Boone's Bass Direct; Edgar Bateman's Truth; Terrell Stafford; Dick Oatts; Janek Gwizdala; Rodney Green; Derrick Hodge; Christian McBride; Kenny Barron; Betty Carter; and has toured with several acts including an American Music Award winning band, the Bomb Squad. Maxfield continues to compose and record his own music and performs regularly in New York and Philadelphia.

Mark Allen (baritone saxophonist/bass clarinet) hails from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, but has lived and worked in the Philadelphia area for the last four years. Mark currently attends the University of the Arts where he is completing a Bachelor's Degree in Woodwind Performance. He has had the privilege of studying with Joel Frahm, Ben Schachter, Chris Farr, and Ron Kerber. In addition to co-leading several ensembles such as "Bright Lights" and "Chordless Quartet," Mark is an active member of The Norman David Eleventet (members include Dick Oatts, John Swana, and Ben Schachter). He has shared the stage with jazz luminaries such as Marcus Belgrave, Wycliffe Gordon, and Tim Hagans, among others. Mark is also active in the Philadelphia theater scene as a woodwind player in theaters such as The Merriam Theater and The Media Theatre.

Steven Gokh is a young and talented Tenor Saxophonist from Philadelphia, PA. Steven graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Performance from Temple University in 2008 and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Jazz Performance from William Paterson University, concluding in the spring of 2010. Steven has studied with Terell Stafford, Dick Oatts, Ben Schachter, David Demsey, Rich Perry, and Mulgrew Miller, and has shared the stage with Frank Wess, Nicholas Payton, Branford Marsalis, Clark Terry, and The Vanguard Orchestra, amo