The trombonist Jim Staley traces his path from playing in a Vietnam-era Army band and as an orchestral musician; through encounters with influential mentors and techniques; and musical awakenings that led to a career as a master improviser and Director of Roulette, the New York City concert series. With musical appearances by John Zorn, Ikue Mori, Zeena Parkins, Bill Frisell, Fred Frith, Chris Cochrane, Derek Bailey, Joey Baron, Kyoko Kitamura, and Cyro Baptista with recordings captured between 1986 and 2015. Staley will be honored with an all-star Gala at Roulette on June 6, 2024.